BOTH CHILDREN. “A pretty Fir-_Tree_. The sun shone full upon _him_, the breeze played freely around _him_, and in the n--n----” (_Looking up questioningly at_ RUSTER.) RUSTER. “Neigh-bor-hood.” OSWALD. “Neighborhood grew many Fir-Trees.” BOTH CHILDREN. “Some older, some younger.” OSWALD. (_Turning from the book_) Look--I’ll draw you a fir-tree. (_He draws on_ RUSTER’S _music score--spreading it on the floor_.) SIGURD. (_Slowly_) “But the little Fir-Tree was not happy; he was always long--longing to be tall; he th--th----” (RUSTER, _who during the last part of the reading has been paying no attention, suddenly covers his face with his hands. His shoulders shake a little._ SIGURD _looks up frightened_. OLGA _crosses quickly to him_.) OLGA. (_Gently_) Ruster--Ruster! Don’t feel badly! RUSTER. (_Sobbing softly_) Yes--I am of no use any more. OLGA. (_Sympathetically_) I know--I know. You cannot make a living by your music and you are destroying yourself with brandy. You have been turned away from every door where you have knocked. But, Ruster---- RUSTER. Yes, I am worn out. I ought to be thrown away! Nobody needs me. OLGA. But don’t you see that to be with the children, as to-night, would be something for you? If you would teach children you would be welcomed everywhere. Look at them, Ruster! (_She places the boys in front of him._) Look at them! RUSTER. (_Blinking_) I dare not! OLGA. (_Laughing joyously_) Then you must accustom yourself to them, Ruster! Perhaps you could help them with their reading. They need a schoolmaster! (_Turning to children triumphantly._) How would you like that, children? (_Enter_ LILJEKRONA, _violin under his arm_. RUSTER _remains motionless by the fireplace with bowed head_.) LILJEKRONA. Why are you laughing, Olga, what is it? OLGA. Nothing--but that Ruster has come again! LILJEKRONA. (_Perplexed_) Ruster here again? OLGA. (_Beaming_) Yes, and he is going to stay with us to teach our little boys. LILJEKRONA. Ruster! (_With amazement_) You have asked him to teach----? OLGA. Yes, Oswald and Sigurd. He has been helping them this afternoon. LILJEKRONA. But--has he promised to give up----? OLGA. He has promised nothing. But there is much about which he must be careful when he has to look little children in the eyes every day. LILJEKRONA. You’re sure he can do it? OLGA. (_Not heeding_) If it had not been Christmas, perhaps I should not have ventured; but if our Lord dared to place His own son among us sinners, surely we can dare to let our children try to save a human soul. (LILJEKRONA’S _face twitches and twists. He gently kisses his wife’s hand as if asking forgiveness._) LILJEKRONA. The children must come and kiss their Mother’s hand! (_They do so, though not just knowing why._) OLGA. (_Going to_ RUSTER _and holding out her hand_) Ruster, it is you who have made our Christmas happy. (_He kisses her hand._) CURTAIN