It is well that she did. When he went away we were of the same age; when I saw him again—oh, that horrible moment—I realised that I was ten years older than he. He had lived out there in the bright, quivering sunshine, and drunk in youth and health at every breath; and here sat I the while, spinning and spinning—— LONA. ——the thread of his happiness, Martha. MARTHA. Yes, it was gold I spun. No bitterness! We have been two good sisters to him, Lona, have we not? LONA. [_Embraces her._] Martha! CONSUL BERNICK _comes out of his room._ BERNICK. [_To the men inside._] Yes, yes, settle it as you please. When the time comes, I shall be ready——[_Shuts the door._] Ah, are you there? By-the-bye, Martha, you had better look to your dress a little. And tell Betty to do the same. I don’t want anything out of the way, of course; just homely neatness. But you must be quick. LONA. And you must look bright and happy, Martha; remember this is a joyful surprise to you. BERNICK. Olaf must come down too. I will have him at my side. LONA. H’m, Olaf—— MARTHA. I will tell Betty. [_She goes out by the second door on the left._ LONA. Well, so the great and solemn hour has come. BERNICK. [_Walks restlessly up and down._] Yes, it has come. LONA. At such a time, no doubt, a man must feel proud and happy. BERNICK. [_Looks at her._] H’m—— LONA. The whole town is to be illuminated, I hear. BERNICK. Yes, I believe there is some such idea. LONA. All the clubs will turn out with their banners. Your name will shine in letters of fire. To-night it will be telegraphed to every corner of the country—“Surrounded by his happy family, Consul Bernick received the homage of his fellow citizens as one of the pillars of society.” BERNICK. So it will; and the crowd in the street will shout and hurrah, and insist on my coming forward into the doorway there, and I shall have to bow and thank them. LONA. Have to——? BERNICK. Do you think I feel happy at this moment? LONA. No, _I_ do not think that you can feel altogether happy. BERNICK. Lona, you despise me. LONA. Not yet. BERNICK.