asping their hands together].
What tyranny!

FALK.
But think, his Call that would not be denied--!

MISS JAY.
Tut, that's what people follow when they're free:
A bridegroom follows nothing but his bride.--
No, my sweet Anna, ponder, I entreat:
You, reared in comfort from your earliest breath--?

FALK.
Yet, sure, to suffer for the faith is sweet!

MISS JAY.
Is one to suffer for one's bridegroom's faith?
That is a rather novel point of view.
[To the ladies.
Ladies, attend!
[Takes ANNA's arm.
Now listen; then repeat
For his instruction what he has to do.

[They go into the background and out to the right
in eager talk with several of the ladies; the
other guests disperse in Groups about the garden.
FALK stops STRAWMAN, whose wife and children keep
close to him. GULDSTAD goes to and fro during
the following conversation.

FALK.
Come, pastor, help young fervour in its fight,
Before they lure Miss Anna from her vows.

STRAWMAN [in clerical cadence].
The wife must be submissive to the spouse;--
[Reflecting.
But if I apprehended him aright,
His Call's a problematical affair,
The offering altogether in the air--

FALK.
Pray do not judge so rashly. I can give
You absolute assurance, as I live,
His Call is definite and incontestable--

STRAWMAN [seeing it in a new light].
Ah--if there's something fixed--investable--
Per annum--then I've nothing more to say.

FALK [impatiently].
You think the most of what I count the least;
I mean the inspiration,--to the pay!

STRAWMAN [with an unctuous smile].
Pay is the first condition of a priest
In Asia, Africa, America,
Or where you will. Ah yes, if he were free,
My dear young friend, I willingly agree,
The thing might pass; but, being pledged and bound,
He'll scarcely find the venture very sound.
Reflect, he's young and vigorous, sure to found
A little family in time; assume his will
To be the very best on earth--but still
The means, my friend--? 'Build not upon the sand,'
Says Scripture. If, upon the other hand,
The Offering--

FALK.
That's no trifle, I'm aware.

STRAWMAN.
Ah, come--that wholly alters the affair.
When men are zealous in their Offering,
And liberal--

FALK.
There he far surpasses most.

STRAWMAN.
"He" say you?