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MRS. HALM.
Come, no more evasion, Bring them together!
AUNTS [with emotion].
Ah, how exquisite.
STRAWMAN.
Yes, can there be a heart so dull and dead As not to be entranced at such a sight!
It is so thrilling and so penetrating, So lacerating, so exhilarating, To see an innocent babe devoutly lay Its offering on Duty's altar.
MRS. HALM.
Nay, Her family have also done their part.
MISS JAY.
I and the Aunts--I should imagine so.
You, Lind, may have the key to Anna's heart, [Presses his hand.
But we possess a picklock, you must know, Able to open where the key avails not.
And if in years to come, cares throng and thwart, Only apply to us, our friends.h.i.+p fails not.
MRS. HALM.
Yes, we shall hover round you all your life,--
MISS JAY.
And s.h.i.+eld you from the fiend of wedded strife.
STRAWMAN.
Enchanting group! Love, friends.h.i.+p, hour of gladness, Yet so pathetically touched with sadness.
[Turning to LIND.
But now, young man, pray make an end of this.
[Leading ANNA to him.
Take thy betrothed--receive her--with a kiss!
LIND [giving his hand to ANNA].
I stay at home!
ANNA [at the same moment].
I go with you!
ANNA [amazed].
You stay?
LIND [equally so].
You go with me?
ANNA [with a helpless glance at the company].
Why, then, we are divided as before!
LIND.
What's this?
THE LADIES.
What now?
MISS JAY [excitedly].
Our wills are at war--
STRAWMAN.
She gave her solemn word to cross the sea With him!
MISS JAY.
And he gave his to stay ash.o.r.e With her!
FALK [laughing].
They both complied; what would you more!
STRAWMAN.
These complications are too much for me.
[Goes toward the background.
AUNTS [to one another].
How in the world came they to disagree?
MRS. HALM [To GULDSTAD and STIVER, who have been walking in the garden and now approach.
The spirit of discord's in possession of her.
[Talks aside to them.
MRS. STRAWMAN [To MISS JAY, noticing that the table is being laid.
There comes the tea.
MISS JAY [curtly].
Thank heaven.
FALK.
Hurrah! a cheer For love and friends.h.i.+p, maiden aunts and tea!
STIVER.
But if the case stands thus, the whole proceeding May easily be ended with a laugh; All turns upon a single paragraph, Which bids the wife attend the spouse. No pleading Can wrest an ordinance so clearly stated--
MISS JAY.
Doubtless, but does that help us to agree?
STRAWMAN.
She must obey a law that heaven dictated.
STIVER.
But Lind can circ.u.mvent that law, you see.
[To LIND.
Put off your journey, and then--budge no jot.
