What do you mean, sir? FALK. Only this; That inasmuch as you appeared to feed Fond expectations of your own— GULDSTAD. Indeed? FALK. At any rate, you were upon the scent. You named Miss Halm; you stood upon this spot And asked me— GULDSTAD [_smiling_]. There are two, though, are there not? FALK. It was—the other sister that you meant? GULDSTAD. _That_ sister, yes, the other one,—just so. Judge for yourself, when you have come to know That sister better, if she has not in her Merits which, if they were divined, would win her A little more regard than we bestow. FALK [_coldly_]. Her virtues are of every known variety I’m sure. GULDSTAD. Not quite; the accent of society She cannot hit exactly; there she loses. FALK. A grievous fault. GULDSTAD. But if her mother chooses To spend a winter on her, she’ll come out of it Queen of them all, I’ll wager. FALK. Not a doubt of it. GULDSTAD [_laughing_]. Young women are odd creatures, to be sure! FALK [_gaily_]. Like winter rye-seed, canopied secure By frost and snow, invisibly they sprout. GULDSTAD. Then in the festive ball-room bedded out— FALK. With equivoque and scandal for manure— GULDSTAD. And when the April sun shines— FALK. There the blade is; The seed shot up in mannikin green ladies! [LIND _comes up and seizes_ FALK’S _hand._ LIND. How well I chose,—past understanding well;— I feel a bliss that nothing can dispel. GULDSTAD. There stands your mistress; tell us, if you can, The right demeanor for a plighted man. LIND [_perturbed_]. That’s a third person’s business to declare. GULDSTAD [_joking_]. Ill-tempered! This to Anna’s ears I’ll bear. [_Goes to the ladies._ LIND [_looking after him_].