"I am a great sinner," says the girl tremulously. A breathless silence seizes every one present as Anna continues, "Four years ago I had a child, in the forest yonder, and, I, poor creature, I killed it."
At this juncture a bailiff, who chanced to be of the company, rises and inquires if her parents knew this at the time.
"No," she answers in her clear and dulcet tones, "they knew nothing."
Turning to her heartbroken parents with great earnestness, she says:
"Father and mother, do not grieve for me! Do not sorrow! I am not in trouble any more. You see how glad I am. Never in my life have I felt so happy."
Johannes (touched). "Anna Liisa——!"
The Father. "Don't you then consider the disgrace you have brought over our gray hair?"
Anna Liisa. "I repent. Forgive me! Oh, that I could once make good what I have done wrong!"
The Mistress of Ristola and other guests express their sympathy with the parents.
Mikko (aside to Husso). "There's nothing more to be done. Things must have their course. Let us be off!"