I dreamt I was at the spring among the willows in my favorite spot, and was sitting among the many colored flowers and looking up into the sky. There I saw a thunder-storm, and I became as depressed as if I were to die. And the child, you know, the one that had been with me fourteen years ago when I lost my way, was sitting beside me and said: Poor Mary! and pulled the bridal wreath out of my hair, and in place of it fastened to my bosom a large blood-red rose. Then I fell backwards into the grass, I knew not how. Yonder in the village the bells were ringing, and the singing of the birds, the chirping of the crickets, the soft evening breeze in the willows above me--all that seemed like a lullaby. And the turf sank down with me lower and ever lower, and the chimes and the singing sounded ever more distant--the sky became blue once more, and I felt so light and free-- SOPHY. A strange dream! Have you opened the letter? MARY. No, mother. And I do not wish to do so. SOPHY. At least don't let your father see it. Alas, Mary! we shall be obliged to leave your father! MARY. Leave father? We? SOPHY. He is coming. Do not betray anything! Put away the letter. Put the Bible there before you, so that be may not suspect anything. I will try once more--if he thinks we are going away, he perhaps may yet give in, and we may stay. SCENE III _The stage is becoming darker and darker._ _The_ FORESTER; SOPHY; MARY. FORESTER. William not yet back? SOPHY. I have not seen him. [FORESTER _steps to the window, and, lost in thought, drums against the panes_. SOPHY _begins packing_.] MARY. But, mother-- SOPHY. Be quiet now, Mary, and don't take part in the conversation. FORESTER (_has turned around and watched his wife for some time_). What are you doing there? SOPHY (_without looking up_). I am packing some dresses--if I have to go away-- FORESTER. We don't have to go. There is a law to prevent that. SOPHY (_shaking her head_). _Your_ law? [_Continues packing_.] _I_ shall be obliged to go away with the children. FORESTER (_surprised_). You are going to-- SOPHY. If you don't come to terms with Stein-- FORESTER. If-- SOPHY. You need not get angry, Ulrich. You cannot act otherwise, and neither can I. I do not reproach you; I say nothing, absolutely nothing. You persist in regarding as your enemy whoever counsels you to yield--and cousin Wilkens is going to disinherit the children if you remain obstinate, and if I and the children are not in his house by noon tomorrow. Under the circumstances I can do nothing but go in silence. FORESTER (_drawing a deep breath_). You wish-- SOPHY. I wish nothing. You wish and cousin Wilkens wishes. You cruel men decree our fate, and--we must bear it. If you would give in, then, indeed, we might stay. Do you believe I am going with a light heart? As far as I am concerned, I should be willing to stand by you till death. But for the children's sake and--for your sake also. FORESTER (_gloomily_).