Bernick (folding her in his arms): Oh, Betty, you have won me. It was through Lona that I first learned really to know you. But now let Olaf come to me.
Mrs. Bernick: Yes, you shall have him now. Mr. Krap--! (Talks softly to KRAP in the background. He goes out by the garden door. During what follows, the illuminations and lights in the houses are gradually extinguished.)
Bernick (in a low voice): Thank you, Lona--you have saved what was best in me--and for me.
Lona: Do you suppose I wanted to do anything else?
Bernick: Yes, was that so--or not? I cannot quite make you out.
Lona: Hm--Bernick: Then it was not hatred? Not revenge? Why did you come back, then?
Lona: Old friendship does not rust.
Bernick: Lona!
Lona: When Johan told me about the lie, I swore to myself that the hero of my youth should stand free and true.
Bernick: What a wretch I am!--and how little I have deserved it of you!
Lona. Oh, if we women always looked for what we deserve, Karsten--!
(AUNE comes in with OLAF from the garden.)
Bernick (going to meet them): Olaf!
Olaf: Father, I promise I will never do it again--Bernick: Never run away?
Olaf: Yes, yes, I promise you, father.
Bernick: And I promise you, you shall never have reason to. For the future you shall be allowed to grow up, not as the heir to my life's work, but as one who has his own life's work before him.
Olaf: And shall I be allowed to be what I like, when I grow up?
Bernick: Yes.
Olaf. Oh, thank you! Then I won't be a pillar of society.
Bernick: No? Why not?
Olaf: No--I think it must be so dull.
Bernick: You shall be yourself, Olaf; the rest may take care of itself--And you, Aune...
Aune: I know, Mr. Bernick; I am dismissed.
Bernick: We remain together, Aune; and forgive me.
Aune: What? The ship has not sailed tonight.
Bernick: Nor will it sail tomorrow, either. I gave you too short grace.
It must be looked to more thoroughly.
Aune: It shall, Mr. Bernick--and with the new machines!
Bernick: By all means--but thoroughly and conscientiously. There are many among us who need thorough and conscientious repairs, Aune. Well, good night.
Aune: Good-night, sir--and thank you, thank you. (Goes out.)
Mrs. Bernick: Now they are all gone.
Bernick: And we are alone. My name is not shining in letters of fire any longer; all the lights in the windows are out.
Lona: Would you wish them lit again?
Bernick: Not for anything in the world. Where have I been! You would be horrified if you knew. I feel now as if I had come back to my right senses, after being poisoned. But I feel this that I can be young and healthy again. Oh, come nearer--come closer round me. Come, Betty!
Come, Olaf, my boy! And you, Martha--it seems to me as if I had never seen you all these years.
Lona: No, I can believe that. Your community is a community of bachelor souls; you do not see women.
Bernick: That is quite true; and for that very reason--this is a bargain, Lona--you must not leave Betty and me.
Mrs. Bernick: No, Lona, you must not.
Lona: No, how could I have the heart to go away and leave you young people who are just setting up housekeeping? Am I not your foster-mother? You and I, Martha, the two old aunts-- What are you looking at?
Martha: Look how the sky is clearing, and how light it is over the sea.
The "Palm Tree" is going to be lucky.
Lona: It carries its good luck on board.
Bernick: And we--we have a long earnest day of work ahead of us; I most of all. But let it come; only keep close round me you true, loyal women. I have learned this too, in these last few days; it is you women that are the pillars of society.
Lona: You have learned a poor sort of wisdom, then, brother-in-law.
(Lays her hand firmly upon his shoulder.) No, my friend; the spirit of truth and the spirit of freedom--they are the pillars of society.
