OLGA. Why is not home the place for music, Liljekrona? Surely those who love you most care most to hear. Must you seek your inspiration from strangers? LILJEKRONA. No, Olga, you are more to me than a world of strangers. It is you alone who hold me here. RUSTER. Yes--you have a warm fire and a full cellar to keep you at home. (LILJEKRONA _shrugs and turns away impatiently_.) But what about the man who has not money enough to fill his flask? (_Bitterly._) My horse, and carriole, and fur coat--they’re all gone! (_Drinks, then laughs boisterously._) But still I have friends--lots of friends in Varmland, and they’re always glad to see me and give me a cup of cheer! (_He drains his flask and wipes his mustache with the back of his hand._ LILJEKRONA _rises disgustedly and crosses the room_.) OLGA. (_Pointedly_) Have you more copying to do still, Ruster? RUSTER. (_Blinking at her_) The “Folksong” is almost finished. I was thinking, Liljekrona--that when that is done, there are two others you showed me yesterday, that would go well with this. LILJEKRONA. It is better alone. RUSTER. But those two shepherd songs. I took the book to my room. Wait till I bring it down. (_He rises unsteadily. Exit._) OLGA. (_Going to_ LILJEKRONA) Liljekrona, don’t give him more copying, or we shall be obliged to keep him over Christmas. LILJEKRONA. He must be somewhere. OLGA. Our Christmas is spoiled if he stays. He is so dirty and he drinks so. And think how bad it is for the children. LILJEKRONA. But he is an old friend. OLGA. Yet on Christmas Eve--we have kept thinking how happy we should be, telling stories and dancing about the tree. And you would play our favorite tunes. (_She looks wistfully about the partly decorated room._) But now all the pleasure is gone if Ruster stays! LILJEKRONA. Formerly you were glad to see him. OLGA. Yes--we all were. But not since he has become a drunkard. And, Liljekrona, I am afraid---- LILJEKRONA. Afraid of what, dear? OLGA. (_Impetuously_) Let him go somewhere else for Christmas. LILJEKRONA. How can we send him away? It would be inhospitable. Nobody wants him any more than we do. OLGA. But the children, Liljekrona. (_Enter_ RUSTER _with book_.) RUSTER. Here it is. (_Handing book to_ LILJEKRONA.) LILJEKRONA. Yes, I remember. RUSTER. Shall I copy them? LILJEKRONA. No--I can play these from the book. RUSTER. This is a poor transcription. It should be written in D instead of F. LILJEKRONA. Well, I can transpose it. RUSTER. I have not copied the words for the “Folksong.” Do you want it done? LILJEKRONA. No, it will do as it is. RUSTER. Well then, it is finished. (_Half-heartedly._) I suppose I must be going. (_Glances toward the window._) LILJEKRONA. (_Indifferently_) You had better stay where you are over Christmas.