No, hang it; don’t be frightened! The powers above would be demented surely To give effect to orders such as these. No, my good sir—the cure for your disease Is exercise for muscle, nerve, and sinew. Don’t lie there wasting all the grit that’s in you In idle dreams; cut wood, if that were all; And then I’ll say the devil’s in’t indeed If one brief fortnight does not find you freed From all your whimsies high-fantastical. FALK. Fetter’d by choice, like Burnell’s ass, I ponder— The flesh on this side, and the spirit yonder. Which were it wiser I should go for first? GULDSTAD [_filling the glasses_]. First have some punch—that quenches ire and thirst. MRS. HALM [_looking at her watch_]. Ha! Eight o’clock! my watch is either fast, or It’s just the time we may expect the Pastor. [_Rises, and puts things in order on the verandah._ FALK. What! have we parsons coming? MISS JAY. Don’t you know? MRS. HALM. I told you, just a little while ago— ANNA. No, mother—Mr. Falk had not yet come. MRS. HALM. Why no, that’s true; but pray don’t look so glum. Trust me, you’ll be enchanted with his visit. FALK. A clerical enchanter; pray who is it? MRS. HALM. Why, Pastor Strawman, not unknown to fame. FALK. Indeed! Oh, yes, I think I’ve heard his name, And read that in the legislative game He comes to take a hand, with voice and vote. STIVER. He speaks superbly. GULDSTAD. When he’s cleared his throat. MISS JAY. He’s coming with his wife— MRS. HALM. And all their blessings— FALK. To give them three or four days’ treat, poor dears— Soon he’ll be buried over head and ears In Swedish muddles and official messings— I see! MRS. HALM [_to_ FALK]. Now there’s a man for you, in truth! GULDSTAD. They say he was a rogue, though, in his youth. MISS JAY [_offended_].