Evje. Very well, too. A fine fellow! I wanted him to come home with us now; but he said he was tired after his journey. Mrs. Evje (to INGEBORG, who has come in from the dining room). Is it ready? Ingeborg. Yes, ma'am. Mrs. Evje. Then come along. (INGEBORG opens the dining-room door.) The Doctor and Evje. Yes, come along! The Doctor. But we must go ceremoniously! Let us make a little festivity of it to-night! You must head the procession, Evje--and then the two young people Gertrud (taking HARALD's arm). Yes! The Doctor. And Mrs. Evje and I will bring up the rear! (Offers her his arm.) Evje. Forward!(The bell rings. He stops.) Who can it be--as late as this? The Doctor. Probably some friends on their way back from the meeting. Mrs. Evje. We must wait a moment!(To INGEBORG, who is going to open the door.)Put a leaf in the table, and lay places for as many as come. Ingeborg. Yes, ma'am. (The bell rings again, as she goes to open the door.) The Doctor. They are impatient! So much the better--it shows they are in a good humour after the meeting! (A knock is heard at the door.) All. Come in!(The EDITOR comes in, with no overcoat on, but wearing his hat, which he forgets to take of till he is well into the room. He goes straight up to EVJE, who has crossed over to the left-hand side of the room.) All (when they see him in the doorway). You! (GERTRUD clings closer to HARALD.) The Editor. I wanted once more, as in the old days, not to go to bed without--this time it is not a question of thanking you for the happy time we have had together but without begging your pardon!(He speaks quietly, but with suppressed emotion.)There has been some unfortunate misunderstanding. Those articles have been printed, in spite of my express instructions to the contrary--I do not know how. Evje. I have read them. The Editor. You have read them? Evje. Yes, the copy of the paper that was meant for you came into my hands. The Editor. So that was it!--Forgive me, old friend! Won't you give me your hand? Mrs. Evje (coming forward). That he shall never do! The Editor (glancing over his shoulder at her). Let no one come between us at a moment like this! You don't know--. A hundred times in my life I would have done what I am doing now, had I not been afraid that people would call it affectation on my part and repulse me. Don't _you_ do that!--least of all now! Give me your hand, Evje! I beg you, in the sight and hearing of you all--. (EVJE seems to vacillate.) Mrs. Evje. No, you shan't!--not while he has anything to do with a newspaper. Otherwise it will all begin over again to-morrow. He is not his own master, you know. The Editor. I have done with it all.