over
to the staircase.)

Tjaelde. You are not well, my dear--but you will be better some day.

Mrs. Tjaelde. I only wish _you_ looked better.

Tjaelde. We all have our burdens to bear.

Mrs. Tjaelde. If only we could bear more together!

Tjaelde. But you don't understand my affairs--and I have never had time
to talk about yours.

Mrs. Tjaelde. No--that's it. (Begins to go upstairs slowly.)

Tjaelde. Shall I help you?

Mrs. Tjaelde. No, thank you, dear.

Tjaelde (coming forward). Does she suspect? She is always like that--she
takes all my courage away from me. But there is no other way! Now--about
money? I surely have some gold here somewhere. (Goes to his desk, takes
some gold out of a drawer and counts it; then lifts his head and sees
MRS. TJAELDE who has sat down on the stair half-way up.) My dear, are
you sitting down?

Mrs. Tjaelde. I felt faint for a moment. I will go up now. (Gets up and
climbs the stair slowly.)

Tjaelde. Poor thing, she is worn out. (Pulls himself together.)
No--five, six, eight, ten--that is not enough. I must have some more.
(Searches in the desk.) And when I run short I have my watch and chain.
Twenty, twenty-four--that is all I can find. Ah, my papers! I must on
no account forget them. The ground is falling away under me! Isn't she
coming back? The bag was packed, surely?--Ah, how all this will make her
suffer! But it will not be so bad for her if I am away. People will be
more merciful, both to her and the children. Oh, my children! (Collects
himself.) Only let me get away, away! Thoughts will follow me there, all
the same!--Ah, here she is! (MRS. TJAELDE is seen coming down slowly,
with a bag which is evidently, heavy.) Shall I help you, dear?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Thanks, will you take hold of the bag?

Tjaelde (takes it; she comes slowly down). It is heavier than it was
this morning.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Is it?

Tjaelde. I have some papers to put in it. (Opens the bag.) But, my dear,
there is money in this bag.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes--some gold that you have given me at odd times. I
thought it might be useful to you now.

Tjaelde. There is a large sum.

Mrs. Tjaelde. I don't believe you even know how much you have given me.

Tjaelde. She knows everything!--My dear! (Opens his arms.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Henning! (They both burst into tears and fall into each
other's arms. MRS. TJAELDE whispers to him:) Shall I call the children?

Tjaelde (in a whisper). No, say nothing--till later! (