HEFFTERDINGT. It was a long time before he recovered from the apoplectic stroke. Only a trembling in the right arm, which you perhaps have noticed, now remains. MAGDA. That is indeed a debt I owe. HEFFTERDINGT. Ah, if that were all, Miss Magda! Pardon me, I call you by the name I used long ago. It springs to my lips. MAGDA. Call me what you like. Go on. HEFFTERDINGT. The necessary result followed. When he received his discharge,--he will not believe in the cause, don't speak to him of it,--then his mind broke down. MAGDA. Yes, yes; that is my debt too. HEFFTERDINGT. Then you see, Miss Magda, began my work. If I speak of it, you must not think I am pluming myself on it to you. What good would that do me? For a long, long time I nursed him, and by degrees I saw his mind revive again. First I let him collect slugs from the rose-bushes. MAGDA. [_With a shudder_.] Ugh! HEFFTERDINGT. Yes, so far had it gone; then I gave him charge of some money, and then I made him my assistant in the institutions with whose management I was intrusted. There is a hospital and a soup-kitchen and an infirmary, and it makes a great deal to be done. So he became a man once more. I have tried to influence your step-mother too; not because I was greedy for power. Perhaps you'll think that of me. In short, the old tension between her and Marie has been slowly smoothed away. Love and confidence have descended upon the house. MAGDA. [_Staring at him_.] And why did you do all this? HEFFTERDINGT. Well, first it is my calling. Then I did it for his sake, for I love the old man; and above all--for--your sake. [Magda _starts, and points to herself interrogatively_.] HEFFTERDINGT. Yes, for your sake. For this weighed upon me: The day will come when she will turn homeward,--perhaps as victor; but perhaps also as vanquished, broken and ruined in body and soul-- Pardon me these thoughts, I had heard nothing of you-- In either case she shall find a home ready for her. That was my work, the work of long years; and now I implore you not to destroy it. MAGDA. [_In anguish_.] If you knew through what I have passed, you would not try to keep me. HEFFTERDINGT. That is all shut out. This is home. Let it alone; forget it. MAGDA. How can I forget it? How dare I? HEFFTERDINGT. Why should you resist when all stretch their hands out to you in rejoicing? It's very easy. Let your heart speak when you see all around overflowing with love for you.