Tell me now, did he doubt my guilt for a moment? Didn’t he comfort himself as usual with his overwise: “I expected it. I always thought as much. It had to come to that.” If _you’d_ done it, he’d have killed himself. I’d like to see him if you went the woman’s way. He’d feel as if he was with child himself,--with the devil, too. CLARA. Oh, how that tears my heart! I must go! KARL. What do you mean? CLARA. I must go into the kitchen--what else? (_Clutches at her brow._) Yes, that’s what I came home to do. (_Goes out._) KARL. She seems very queer! (_Sings._) “There comes a daring seabird With greetings from the West.” CLARA (_comes in again_). The last thing’s done now. Father’s evening jug is by the fire. When I closed the kitchen door behind me and realised I should never go in again, I shivered to the very soul. So shall I leave this room, so this house, and so the world. KARL (_sings, walking up and down_. CLARA _in background_). “The sun it flames down daily And the little fishes gaily Do sport around their guest.” CLARA. Why don’t I do it then? Shall I never do it? Shall I put it off from day to day? Just as I’m putting it off now, from minute to minute--yes, away then, away! And yet I stay here. I feel as if hands were raised in my womb, as if eyes----(_Sits down on a chair._) What does this mean? Am I too weak to do it? Well, am I strong enough to see my father with his throat cut? (_Standing up._) No! No!--Our Father, which art in Heaven--Hallowed be thy kingdom. O God, my poor head! I can’t even pray. Karl! Karl! Help me! KARL. What’s wrong? CLARA. The Lord’s Prayer. (_Recollects._) I felt as if I was in the water and sinking, and had forgotten to pray. I--(_Suddenly._) Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. That’s it. Yes! Yes! Of course I forgive him. I’d forgotten all about him. Good-night, Karl. KARL. Are you going to bed so early? Good-night! CLARA (_like a child, going through the Lord’s Prayer_). Forgive us---- KARL. You might get me a drink of water first--but it must be cold. CLARA (_quickly_). I’ll fetch it from the well. KARL. Well, if you like; it isn’t far. CLARA. Thanks! Thanks! That was the only thing that troubled me. The deed itself was bound to betray me. Now they will say--“She’s had an accident. She fell in.” KARL. Take care, though; they haven’t nailed that plank on yet. CLARA. Why, the moon’s up! O God, I only come to save my father from coming. Forgive me as I--Be gracious, gracious---- (_Goes out._) SCENE 9 KARL (_sings_). “I’d spring into it gladly, It’s where I’d live and die.” Yes, but first--(_Looking at clock._) What time is it? Nine.