A garland spread
With dewy blossoms fresh on every head!

SEVERAL.
Yes, to the dance, the dance!

ALL.
And ne'er to bed!

[STIVER comes out with STRAWMAN arm in arm. MRS.
STRAWMAN and the children follow.

STIVER.
Yes, you and I henceforward are fast friends.

STRAWMAN.
Allied in battle for our common ends.

STIVER.
When the twin forces of the State agree--

STRAWMAN.
They add to all men's--

STIVER [hastily].
Gains!

STRAWMAN.
And gaiety.

[MRS. HALM, LIND, ANNA, GULDSTAD, and MISS JAY,
with the other guests, come out. All eyes are
turned upon FALK and SVANHILD. General amazement
when they are seen standing apart.

MISS JAY [among the AUNTS, clasping her hands].
What! Am I awake or dreaming, pray?

LIND [who has noticed nothing].
I have a brother's compliments to pay.

[He, with the other guests, approaches FALK, but
starts involuntarily and steps back on looking
at him.

What is the matter with you? You're a Janus
With double face!

FALK [smiling].
I cry, like old Montanus,(6)
The earth is flat, Messieurs;--by optics lied;
Flat as a pancake--are you satisfied?
[Goes quickly out to the right.

MISS JAY.
Refused!

THE AUNTS.
Refused!

MRS. HALM.
Hush, ladies, if you please!
[Goes across to SVANHILD.

MRS. STRAWMAN [to STRAWMAN].
Fancy, refused!

STRAWMAN.
It cannot be!

MISS JAY.
It is!

THE LADIES [from mouth to mouth].
Refused! Refused! Refused!

[They gather in little groups about the garden.

STIVER [dumfounded].
He courting? How?

STRAWMAN.
Yes, think! He laugh'd at us, ha, ha--but now--

[They gaze at each other speechless.

ANNA [to LIND].
That's good! He was too horrid, to be sure!

LIND [embracing her].
Hurrah, now thou art mine, entire and whole.

[They go outside into the garden.

GULDSTAD [looking back towards SVANHILD].
Something is shattered in a certain soul;
But what is yet alive in it I'll cure.

STRAWMAN [recovering himself and embracing STIVER].
Now then, you can be very well contented
To have your dear _fiancee_ for a spouse.

STIVER.
And you complacently can see your house
With little Strawmans every year augment