Gert. Which king?

Olof. King Gustaf!

Gert. Oh, that one!--Well, good-bye, then, Olof.--So you're going to
preach to-morrow?--Why doesn't that woman go her way?--Good-bye! [Exit.]

Olof. Is that man running errands for God or for Satan?

Harlot (approaches Olof and kneels before him). Let me thank you!

Olof. Give thanks for God alone for having saved your soul, and don't
think that all your sins have been expiated to-day. Try to find strength
to live a life that will always be cursed. God has forgiven you--your
fellow-men will never do so! (He takes her by the hand and leads her to
the street door.)

[Enter Marten through the doorway in the rear, followed by Olof's Mother
and Christine, the daughter of Gert.]

Marten. We're in the wrong place, I fear.

Mother (outraged at seeing Olof and the Harlot together). Olof, Olof!

Christine. Who is that woman? She looks so unhappy.

Marten. Let us get away from this den of iniquity!

Olof (turning and running toward the iron door, which is closed in his
face by Marten). Mother! Mother!

[He runs out through the other door.]

(The stage is darkened.)

SCENE 2

(The Same Room. The door to the church is opened cautiously, and The
Sexton, who is also the organ-blower, enters warily. He carries a
lantern and is followed by his Wife.)

Sexton. Catherine dear, will you hold the lantern a moment while I put
on the padlock?

Wife. First we must have a look at all this wretchedness, Bengt dear.
Never could I have believed that the public-house was so near to us.
It's perfectly dreadful! Look--whole barrels full of beer!

Sexton. And gin, too. Don't you smell it? It will give me a headache if
I stay much longer.

Wife. Lord have mercy, what a sinful life they must have lived in here!

Sexton. Catherine dear!

Wife. Yes, dear.

Sexton. Do you know I am not feeling quite well. This place is so damp
and cold.

Wife. Perhaps we had better go home?

Sexton. Oh, I think I must sit down and rest on the bench here.

Wife. You shouldn't sit down in all this dampness and cold. Let us get
back into the church.

Sexton. No, I think it was still colder out there.

Wife. You haven't a fever, have you?

Sexton. I almost think I have--I'm so hot.

Wife. Maybe you want something to drink?

Sexton. That wouldn't be a bad thing, perhaps.

Wife. I'll see if there is any water around.

Sexton. Don't think you'll find any in this