t
her die in the deception practised on her by a miserable wretch like
Marten--and perhaps get her thanks for it--or shall we turn her final
prayer into a curse? No, let them come, rather! Or what do you think,
Christine?

Christine. I dare not think at all.

Lars (goes out for a moment, but returns quickly). Oh, it is horrible!
They have fallen asleep over their dice and their tumblers. And by such
as those my mother is to be prepared for her death!

Christine. But why not tell her the truth?

Lars. She won't believe it, and it is cast back on us as a lie.

Mother. My son, won't you listen to your mother's last request?

Lars (going out). May God forgive me!

Christine. Olof would never have done that!

(Lars returns with Marten and Nils, whereupon he leads Christine out of
the room.)

Marten (going up to the bed). She's sleeping.

Nils (places a box on the floor, opens it, and begins to take out
aspersorium, censer, chrismatory, palms, and candles). That means we
can't go to work yet.

Marten. If we have waited all this time, we can afford to wait a little
longer--provided that damned priest doesn't show up.

Nils. Master Olof, you mean?--Do you think that fellow out there noticed
anything?

Marten. What do I care? As soon as the old woman gives up the coin, I am
free.

Nils. You 're a pretty thorough-paced rascal, you are!

Marten. Yes, but I am getting tired of it. I am beginning to long for
peace. Do you know what life is?

Nils. No.

Marten. Pleasure! "The flesh was God!" Isn't that the way it's written
somewhere?

Nils. "The Word became flesh," you mean?

Marten. Oh, yes--of course!

Nils. You might have been it pretty big man, with your head!

Marten. Yes, indeed! That's what they feared, and that's why they
whipped the soul out of my body in the convent--for after all I had a
soul once! But now there's nothing but body left, and now the body is
going to have its turn.

Nils. And I suppose they whipped all conscience out of you at the same
time?

Marten. Well, practically.--But now I want that recipe for spiced
Rochelle which you were talking of when we fell asleep out there.

Nils. Did I say Rochelle? I meant claret. That is, it can be either the
one or the other. Well, you take a gallon of wine and half a pound of
cardamom that has been well cleaned--

Marten. Hush--damn you! She is moving. Out with the book!

Nils (keeps on reading in an undertone during the following scene