towards the door of the outer office.)

Valborg (with a wry smile). What a temper! (More seriously.) And
yet, after all--. (Looks after him. Just as SANNAES gets to the door
TJAELDE'S voice is heard calling him from the top of the staircase.
SANNAES answers him.)

Tjaelde (coming down the stairs). Sannaes! Sannaes! I can see Jakobsen
coming. (Hurries across the room as if pursued by fear. SANNAES follows
him.) Of course he will be coming back to look for me again! It is
cowardly of me to feel that I cannot stand it; but I cannot--not to-day,
not now! I cannot stand any more! Stop him! Don't let him come in! I
shall have to drink my cup of misery to the dregs; but (almost in a
whisper) not all at one draught! (Hides his face in his hands.)

Sannaes. He shan't come; don't be afraid! (Goes quickly out, with an air
of determination.)

Tjaelde. It is hard--oh, it is hard!

Valborg (coming to his side). Father! (He looks at her, anxiously.) You
may safely accept the money Sannaes offers you.

Tjaelde (in surprise). What do you mean by that?

Valborg. I mean--that, if you do, I will not forsake you either, but
stay here with you too.

Tjaelde (incredulously). You, Valborg?

Valborg. Yes, you know I want to learn office work, and business; and I
would rather learn in your office.

Tjaelde (shyly). I don't understand what you--?

Valborg. Don't you understand, dear? I believe I could become of some
use in the office. And in that way, you know, we might begin afresh--and
try, with God's help, to pay your creditors.

Tjaelde (happily, but shyly). My child! Who put such a happy idea into
your head?

Valborg (putting an arm round his neck). Father, forgive me for all that
I have neglected to do! You shall see how I will try and make up for it!
How hard I shall work!

Tjaelde (still half incredulous). My child! My child!

Valborg. I feel--I cannot tell you how deeply--a craving for love and
for work! (Throws both her arms round his neck.) Oh, father, how I love
you!--and how I shall work for you!

Tjaelde. Ah, that is the Valborg I have waited for, ever since you were
a little child! But we had drifted away from one another, somehow.

Valborg. No more about the past! Look forward, father, look forward!
Concerns "that would not be affected by the uncertainties of high
finance,"--weren't those his words?

Tjaelde. So you were struck by that expression, too?

Valborg. That may mean a future for us now! We will ha