Signe (throwing down her ring). There! Let your horse wear that! Hamar. Every time you throw down that ring-- Signe. Oh, you have said that so often! I am tired of that too! (Turns her chair round so as to turn her back on him.) Hamar. You are such a spoilt child that it would be absurd to take everything you say seriously-- Signe. I am sick of that too, I tell you--for the hundred and twentieth time! Go away! Hamar. But can't you see how ridiculous it is of you to be jealous of a horse? Have you ever heard of anyone else behaving like that? Signe (jumping up). Oh, you make me want to shout and scream! I feel so ashamed of you! (Stamps her foot.) I despise you! Hamar (laughing). And all on account of the horse? Signe. No, on your own account--yours, yours! I feel so miserable sometimes, I should like to throw myself down on the floor and cry--or run away and never come back! Can't you let me alone! Can't you go away! Hamar. Yes--and I have not picked up the ring this time, either! Signe. Oh, do go!--go, go, go! (Bursts out crying and sits down.) Hamar. All right!--I see the steamer in the distance; I shall go home at once. Signe. Oh, you know as well as I do that that steamer goes the other way! Oh! (Cries. The masts and funnel of a steamer come into sight, and a trail of smoke passes over the sky. TJAELDE'S voice is heard outside, calling: "Hurry up! Take the lieutenant's boat; it is ready!" SIGNE jumps up.) Hamar. They are going to fetch some one from the steamer! (TJAELDE'S voice is heard again: "You get the boat out! He is coming here!" HAMAR runs to pick up the ring and comes back hurriedly to SIGNE.) Signe! Signe. No, I won't! Hamar. Signe, dear! What does this mean? What is it that I have done? Signe. I don't know, but I am wretchedly unhappy! (Bursts into tears.) Hamar. But you know that in the end I always do what you want? What more can you wish than that? Signe. I can't help it, I wish I were dead! It is always the same thing! (In tears again.) Hamar. But, Signe--you who have told me hundreds of times that you loved me! Signe. And so I do. But sometimes our engagement seems horrible!--No, don't come near me! Hamar. Signe! (TJAELDE'S voice is heard outside: "Of course, put your best coat on!" He calls louder: "Sannaes!" An answering voice is heard in the distance. TJAELDE continues: "Don't forget your gloves!") Dry your eyes, Signe! Don't let him see you have been crying. (He tries to give her the ring, but she turns away, wiping her eyes. TJAELDE comes up the steps on to the verandah.)