Wangel.
[Up on the verandah, presses Ellida’s hand.] Thank you—thank you——! I thank you from my heart for this, Ellida.
Ellida.
[Arranging the flowers.] Oh, nonsense,—why should I not join with you in keeping—mother’s birthday?
Arnholm.
H’m——!
[He goes up to Wangel and Ellida. Boletta and Hilda remain below in the garden.
ACT SECOND.
Up at the Prospect, a wooded height behind the town. Towards the back stand a landmark and a weathervane. Large stones for seats are placed round the landmark and in the foreground. Far below in the background the outer fiord is seen, with islands and jutting promontories. The open sea is not visible. A summer night with clear twilight. There is a tinge of orange in the upper air and over the mountain peaks in the far distance. The sound of quartette-singing is faintly heard from the lower slopes on the right.
Young people from the town, ladies and gentlemen, come in couples up from the right, pass the landmark conversing familiarly, and go out to the left. Shortly afterwards Ballested appears, acting as guide to a party of foreign tourists. He is loaded with the ladies’ shawls and satchels.