Mrs. Evje. And now in your old age, though you deserve it no more than a child does, to be dragged into it! If I could prevent that, I would willingly take on my own shoulders whatever-- Evje. No, no--not you! Not you! The Doctor. But the thing is not necessarily done because he threatened he would do it. Evje. Do you think--? The Doctor. He is so dreadfully hot-headed, but I am sure he will think twice-- Mrs. Evje.--before he attacks a lifelong friend! Yes, that is so, isn't it! Evje. Do you really think that there is any possibility then--? The Doctor. I really can't say! Mrs. Evje. Nothing in the world is impossible! Evje. We were both so hot-headed. The Doctor. Yes, it will have to be a more peaceable conversation than that of a few minutes ago! Evje. I don't know how it is--there is something so provoking about him. Mrs. Evje. Yes, and you have not been very well lately, either. I have often said so to you. Evje. No, I haven't. It has been just one thing after another! And all my life I have tried to keep clear of such things! The Doctor. I will tell you what, old friend; I am sure the best thing to do would be-- Evje. What? The Doctor. I am sure you will not be easy in your mind until someone has talked to him. Mrs. Evje. Yes, couldn't that be done? Good gracious, that is not sending a message to him! Evje. But who would--? (A short silence.) The Doctor. I don't know who would be best. Mrs. Evje. All our old friends have deserted us; we shall soon have none. The Doctor. Well, at all events, you have me. Evje. Would you really be willing to--? Do you mean it? (Grasps his hand.) The Doctor. Of course I will! He can't eat me! Mrs. Evje. How good you are! Of course you only need tell him--what is quite true--that my husband would never be able to bear it! He, who all these years-- Evje.--have put up with an incredible amount for his sake, both from himself and from others! Mrs. Evje. Yes, that is true! And now you will go, dear friend--our only friend!--and talk to him quite amicably and sensibly, won't you? Evje. But don't delay! He is so hot-headed that we must find him before-- The Doctor. Oh, I will find him; he is always about the town. Evje. And tell him--ask him-- The Doctor. Oh, I know what to say to him. Mrs. Evje. That is right! Evje. Thank you! I shall never forget how, at a moment when everything threatened to overwhelm me, you were the only one to stand by me! Ah, I feel as if a load had fallen off my shoulders! I feel all at once quite happy again! The Doctor. That's right. You pull yourself together! I will see to everything else. Evje. Thanks, thanks! But make haste! The Doctor. I am off! My hat? (Turns, and sees HARALD, and says to himself.) A-ha! He looks as if he had had about enough of this. It would have been a joke to-- Evje. Oh, do make haste, my friend! The Doctor. Yes, yes--if only I could find my hat. Mrs. Evje. It is on the table. The Doctor. So it is!