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FALK.
You've had to wince Beneath a crushing load of obligations That you'd send packing, if good form permitted.
That's what's the matter.
STIVER.
Monstrous accusations!
My legal debts I've honestly acquitted; But other bonds next month are falling due; [To GULDSTAD.
When a man weds, you see, he gets a wife--
FALK [triumphant].
Now your youth's heaven once again is blue; There rang an echo from your old song-life!
That's how it is: I read you thro' and thro'; Wings, wings were all you wanted,--and a knife!
STIVER.
A knife?
FALK.
Yes, Resolution's knife, to sever Each captive bond, and set you free for ever, To soar--
STIVER [angrily].
Nay, now you're insolent beyond Endurance! Me to charge with violation Of law,--me, me with plotting to abscond!
It's libellous, malicious defamation, Insult and calumny--
FALK.
Are you insane?
What is all this about? Explain! Explain!
GULDSTAD [laughingly to STIVER].
Yes, clear your mind of all this balderdash!
What do you want?
STIVER [pulling himself together].
A trifling loan in cash.
FALK.
A loan!
STIVER [hurriedly to GULDSTAD].
That is, I mean to say, you know, A voucher for a ten pound note, or so.
MISS JAY [to LIND and ANNA].
I wish you joy! How lovely, how delicious!
GULDSTAD [going up to the ladies].
Pray what has happened?
[To himself.] This was unpropitious.
FALK [throws his arms about STIVER's neck].
Hurrah! the trumpet's dulcet notes proclaim A brother born to you in Amor's name!
[Drags him to the others.
MISS JAY [to the gentlemen].
Think! Lind and Anna--think!--have plighted hearts, Affianced lovers!
MRS. HALM [with tears of emotion].
'Tis the eighth in order Who well-provided from this house departs; [To FALK.
Seven nieces wedded-always with a boarder-- [Is overcome; presses her handkerchief to her eyes.
MISS JAY [to ANNA].
Well, there will come a flood of gratulation!
[Caresses her with emotion.
LIND [seizing FALK's hand].
My friend, I walk in rapt intoxication!
FALK.
Hold! As a plighted man you are a member Of Rapture's Temperance-a.s.sociation.
Observe it's rules;--no orgies here, remember!
[Turning to GULDSTAD sympathetically.
Well, my good sir!
GULDSTAD [beaming with pleasure].
I think this promises All happiness for both.
FALK [staring at him].
You seem to stand The shock with exemplary self-command.
That's well.
GULDSTAD.
What do you mean, sir?
FALK.
Only this; That inasmuch as you appeared to feed Fond expectations of your own--
GULDSTAD.
Indeed?
FALK.
At any rate, you were upon the scent.
You named Miss Halm; you stood upon this spot And asked me--
GULDSTAD [smiling].
There are two, though, are there not?
FALK.
It was--the other sister that you meant?
GULDSTAD.
That sister, yes, the other one,--just so.
Judge for yourself, when you have come to know That sister better, if she has not in her Merits which, if they were divined, would win her A little more regard than we bestow.
