.

MRS. HALM [looking back as she goes towards the house].
Whichever way it goes, my child is sped.
[Goes in.

GULDSTAD [approaching FALK].
It's late, I think?

FALK.
Ten minutes and I go.

GULDSTAD.
Sufficient for my purpose.

SVANHILD [going].
Farewell.

GULDSTAD.
No,
Remain.

SVANHILD.
Shall I?

GULDSTAD.
Until you've answered me.
It's time we squared accounts. It's time we three
Talked out for once together from the heart.

FALK [taken aback].
We three?

GULDSTAD.
Yes,--all disguises flung apart.

FALK [suppressing a smile].
O, at your service.

GULDSTAD.
Very good, then hear.
We've been acquainted now for half a year;
We've wrangled--

FALK.
Yes.

GULDSTAD.
We've been in constant feud;
We've changed hard blows enough. You fought--alone--
For a sublime ideal; I as one
Among the money-grubbing multitude.
And yet it seemed as if a chord united
Us two, as if a thousand thoughts that lay
Deep in my own youth's memory benighted
Had started at your bidding into day.
Yes, I amaze you. But this hair grey-sprinkled
Once fluttered brown in spring-time, and this brow,
Which daily occupation moistens now
With sweat of labour, was not always wrinkled.
Enough; I am a man of business, hence--

FALK [with gentle sarcasm].
You are the type of practical good sense.

GULDSTAD.
And you are hope's own singer young and fain.
[Stepping between them.
Just therefore, Falk and Svanhild, I am here.
Now let us talk, then; for the hour is near
Which brings good hap or sorrow in its train.

FALK [in suspense].
Speak, then!

GULDSTAD [smiling].
My ground is, as I said last night,
A kind of poetry--

FALK.
In practice.

GULDSTAD.
Right!

FALK.
And if one asked the source from which you drew--?

GULDSTAD
[Glancing a moment at SVANHILD, and then turning
again to FALK.
A common source discovered by us two.

SVANHILD.
Now I must go.

GULDSTAD.
No, wait till I conclude.
I should not ask so much of others. You,
Svanhild, I've learnt to fathom thro' and thro';
You are too sensible to play the prude.
I watched expand, unfold, your little life;
A perfect woman I divined within