Jo.
[After a long pause goes to him and throws her arms about his neck. Kneirtje weeps, Barend stands dazed.] Geert!
Geert.
Now! Don’t let us—[Forcibly controlling his tears.] A light! [Smokes.] Now, Mother! [Goes to the window—says to Barend.] Lay out the good things—[Draws up the curtain.] I’ll be damned! if the rooster isn’t sitting on the roof again, ha, ha, ha! will you believe it? I would like to sail at once—two days on the Sea! the Sea! the Sea!—and I’m my old self again. What?—Why is Truus crying as she walks by? Truus! [Calling.]
Kneir.
Ssst!—Don’t call after her. The Anna has just come in without her husband. [A few sad-looking, low-speaking women walk past the window.] Poor thing! Six children——
Geert.
Is Ari—[She nods.] That’s damned sad! [Drops the window curtain, stands in somber thought.]
CURTAIN.