STYVER (går op på altanen). Har fruen læst departementets bønskrift? Det er et mønster på stilistisk skønskrift; – (tar en bog op af lommen.) nu skal jeg in extenso referere – (nøder dem høfligt ind i stuen, og går selv med. Falk kommer frem i haven; han og Stråmand mødes; de ser en stund på hinanden.)
STIVER [going on to the verandah]. Pray, madam, have you read the official charge? A masterpiece of literary style. [Takes a book from his pocket.] Which I shall now proceed to cite at large. [Ushers her politely into the room, and follows himself. FALK comes forward; he and Strawman meet; they regard one another a moment in silence.]
STRÅMAND. Nu?
STRAWMAN. Well?
FALK. Nu?
FALK. Well?
STRÅMAND. Herr Falk!
STRAWMAN. Falk?
FALK. Herr pastor!
FALK. Pastor?
STRÅMAND. Er De mere medgørlig nu, end da vi skiltes?
STRAWMAN. Are you less Intractable than when we parted?
FALK. Nej, jeg går min ufravigelige vej –
FALK. Nay, I go my own inexorable way--
STRÅMAND. Selv om De træder næstens lykke ned?
STRAWMAN. Even tho’ you crush another’s happiness?
FALK. Jeg planter sandheds urt i lykkens sted. (smilende.) Forresten tænker De nok på avisen for elskende?
FALK. I plant the flower of knowledge in its place. [Smiling.] If, by the way, you have not ceased to think Of the Gazette--
