How? Without— Ahem—the priestly consecration? MISS JAY. Shame! MRS. HALM. Fy, fy! my late beloved husband’s name Was on the list of sponsors—! STIVER [_to_ MISS JAY]. You’re to blame For leaving that important item out. In a report ’tis of the utmost weight That the chronology be accurate. But what I never yet could comprehend Is how on earth they managed— FALK. The one room Not housing sheep and cattle, I presume. MISS JAY [_to_ STIVER]. O, but you must consider this, my friend; There is no _Want_ where Love’s the guiding star; All’s right without if tender Troth’s within. [_To_ FALK. He loved her to the notes of the guitar, And she gave lessons on the violin— MRS. HALM. Then all, of course, on credit they bespoke— GULDSTAD. Till, in a year, the timber merchant broke. MRS. HALM. Then Strawman had a call to north. MISS JAY. And there Vowed, in a letter that I saw (as few did), He lived but for his duty, and for her. FALK [_as if completing her statement_]. And with those words his Life’s Romance concluded. MRS. HALM [_rising_]. How if we should go out upon the lawn, And see if there’s no prospect of them yet? MISS JAY [_drawing on her mantle_]. It’s cool already. MRS. HALM. Svanhild, will you get My woollen shawl?—Come ladies, pray! LIND [_to_ ANNA, _unobserved by the others_]. Go on! [SVANHILD _goes into the house; the others, except_ FALK, _go towards the back and out to the left._ LIND, _who has followed, stops and returns._ LIND. My friend! FALK. Ah, ditto. LIND. Falk, your hand! The tide Of joy’s so vehement, it will perforce Break out— FALK.