Philipp answers gruffly:
“Grass also stops growing if a stone falls upon it.”
“What is still worse than that—worms begin to breed under the rock.”
Mariet says softly, sadly and entreatingly:
“Don’t you want me to call you Mariet?”
Haggart answers obstinately and sternly:
“I don’t. If my name will be Mariet, I shall never kill that man. He disturbs my life. Make me a present of his life, Mariet. He kissed you.”
“How can I present you that which is not mine? His life belongs to God and to himself.”
“That is not true. He kissed you; do I not see the burns upon your lips? Let me kill him, and you will feel as joyful and care-free as a seagull. Say ‘yes,’ Mariet.”
“No; you shouldn’t do it, Gart. It will be painful to you.”