Lona. Now we are alone, Martha. You have lost her, and I him.
Martha. You him?
Lona. Oh, I had half lost him already over there. The boy longed to stand on his own feet, so I made him think I was longing for home.
Martha. That was it? Now I understand why you came. But he will want you back again, Lona.
Lona. An old stepsister—what can he want with her now? Men snap many bonds to arrive at happiness.
Martha. It is so, sometimes.
Lona. But now we two must hold together, Martha.
Martha. Can I be anything to you?
Lona. Who more? We two foster-mothers—have we not both lost our children? Now we are alone.
Martha. Yes, alone. And therefore I will tell you—I have loved him more than all the world.