Harald. Yes, how is the dear old gentleman? Gertrud. Pretty well, thanks, though he never gets out now. But he is following your work, and he says that what you are aiming at is right, if you ask for God's guidance on your way. Harald--you will always be the same as you are now--good and genuine--won't you, dear? Not like the rest of them--nothing but bitterness and malice, always talking of principles and consequences and all the rest of it, and always attacking others? If one were obliged to be like that, it would be a curse to be a politician. Harald. I will be what you make me! I think that behind every man's public life you can see his private life--whether he has a real home, and what it is like, or whether he only has a place he lives in--that is to say, no real home. Gertrud. With God's help I shall try to make a bright, snug and cosy home for you! And this fog is delightful, because it only makes the thought of such a home all the cosier and snugger! It makes us seem so alone, too; no one is out driving or walking; and we can talk as loud as we please, because the fog deadens the sound of our voices. Oh, I feel so happy again now! Do you know, I think it is rather nice to be persecuted a little; it makes our meetings so much more precious! Harald. But, you know dear, to meet you like this--and just now-- Gertrud (as they walk up and down together). Yes, of course! I had altogether forgotten how much you have to bear just now; I have been chattering away--. Oh, I don't know how I could feel so happy, because I am really dreadfully distressed. But, you know, I sit the whole play beside grandfather, thinking, without even being able to talk. I generally read aloud to him; now and then he makes a remark, but he really lives more in the next world than in this one now. (They hear a cough in the distance, and give a start, because they recognise it. The EDITOR and EVJE, walking along together, EVJE apparently talking very earnestly, are seen, indistinctly through the fog, in the street running parallel with the one HARALD and GERTRUD are in. JOHN is seen following them cautiously. They disappear into the park.) Harald. I hear the enemy! I am sure I caught a glimpse of him over there through the fog, talking to another man. Gertrud. Is he always about the streets even in weather like this? Harald. Well, we won't let him disturb us. (They begin walking up and down again in front of the house.) Gertrud. Do you know whom I met out here? Father! Harald. Really? Then it is as I thought; the other man over there was your father! Gertrud. Do you think it was? Poor father! Harald. Yes, he is weak. Gertrud. But you must be good to him. He is so good himself. Think how mother loves him; she is absolutely wrapped up in him, because he is so good! Harald. He is a good man, and an able man. But, but, but--