Evje. I won't stand it! (The EDITOR coughs loudly.) What are you doing? (The EDITOR goes to the neighbouring house and rings the bell. The door is opened and he goes in, laughing as he goes.) Gertrud (who has started from HARALD'S arms at the sound of the cough). That is--! Harald. It sounds like him! (Turns, and sees Evje.) Gertrud. Father! (Turns to run away, but stops.) No, it is cowardly to run away. (Comes back, and stands at HARALD'S side. EVJE comes forward.) Evje. I should not have expected my daughter, a well-brought-up girl, to make an assignation in the street with--with-- Gertrud. With her fiance. Evje.--with a man who has made a mock of her father and mother, and of his own doing has banished himself from our house. Harald. From your house, certainly; but not from my future wife. Evje. A nice explanation! Do you suppose we will consent to have as our son-in-law a man who spurns her parents? Gertrud. Father! Evje. Be quiet, my child! You ought to have felt that yourself. Gertrud. But, father, you surely do not expect him to submit to your being abused and himself ill-treated in our house? Evje. Are you going to teach your parents--? Gertrud (putting her arm round his neck). I don't want to teach you anything; because you know yourself, dear, that Harald is worth far more--and far more to us--than the man who went away just now! (At this moment the printer's boy, who has come out of the EDITOR'S house, runs past them towards the town.) Evje (seeing the boy, tries to get away). Go in now, Gertrud! I have something I wish to talk to Mr. Rejn about. Gertrud. You have nothing to talk to Harald about that I cannot hear. Evje. Yes, I have. Harald. But why may she not hear it? What you want is to break off our engagement. Gertrud. Father--! (Moves away from him.) Is that true? Evje. Well-since it cannot be otherwise-it is true; that is to say, for the moment. (Aside.) Good Lord, they can make it up right enough when this is all over! Gertrud (who is standing as if thunderstruck). I saw you with him!--Ah! that is how it is! (Looks at her father, bursts into tears and rushes to the door of their house, pulls the bell and disappears into the house.) Evje. What is it? What is the matter with her? Harald. I think I know. She realises that her life's happiness has been bought and sold. (Bows to EVJE.) Good-bye! (Goes out to the right.)