Bfe^s m I m r ( COMEDY. (WITH SONG.) BY Carl Theodore Hanson. [fR03I the vaudeville " LIDT FORSTYRELSE PA A FAR- MEU/' BY JOHN HEINSE.] V3, PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 1887. Entered According to Act of Congress, in the Year 1887, By Carl Theodore Hanson, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. TMP96-0070S4 DRAMATIS PERSONS. JOHNSON, A Rich Norwegian Farmer in Wisconsin. LOUISA OLSON, his Niece from Bergen. HENRY LIND, a Young Danish Physician. BRORSON, A Young Norwegian Doctor from Chicago. QUESTRUP, A Danish Lawyer from Chicago. JOHN ERlCHSON, a Norwegian Farmer. MARTIN, A Norwegian.") t^„ ..^..»o c^^t., *xt.-o ANNA, A Danish Girl. [ Johnson's SER^ ants. PLACE OF ACTION: JOHNSON'S FARM IN WISCONSIN. DISTURBAT^CE OJ^ THE FARM. Scene 1. (It is a fine summer day. The stage exhibits an open space in front of the farm house. House at the right. Two small wooden steps lead to two doors; the one nearest the audience is a glass door, the other leads to Johnson's own apartment. From the house to the background extends a fence in which are two gates; through the one near house entrance is had to yard; through the other at the farther end of fence, to the woods in background. Near the glass door is a table with a white spread over it, on which stands a coffee-service, a dish of cookies, Louisa's sewing, and a photograph-album. A flower- pot containing a white rose in bloom is seen near steps leading to glass door.) Johnson. Louisa. (Johnson sitting in a rocker reading a newspaper.) (Louisa stands near table at the right turning the leaves of a book containing Norwegian scenes.) (She sings) : See how in the evening sun on mountain top Gracefully the pines toward Heaven reaches up, II : And the narrow path around the ledge I spy — Merrily the brook goes gurgling by. :|| Every tree and house thus seen — where e'er I roam — Brings the soul in flight back to its childhood's home, II : Oh, where mother rests behind the dark blue sea. Dying, I would mostly like to be ! :|| Pretty everywhere the Heaven's blue, I ween, Everywhere the tree's fresh foliage is green, II : But — like you, my Norway, not a place I know. Is so pretty on God's earth below ! :|| b DISTURBANCE ON THE FARM. Johnson {throws newspaper on the ground), I had in- dulged the hope that we finally would have peace here in the country, but no ! {Rises and paces to and fro,) Louisa. What's the matter, dear uncle? (/>«.ys hool: on table,) Johnson. What's the matter? (Stoops to pick up the paper,) It is this — that — but read it yourself! 1 can't bear to read such stuff more than once ! There — {Pointing to item in paper,) — there it stands in large, fat types! {Lights a clay pipe,) Louisa. {Reads,) -^If a young and talented Scandina- vian physician would locate in this vicinity, he would un- doubtedly soon acquire a good practice. Any such is re- quested to address the undersigned, Avho will furnish further desired information. John Erichson, county, AVis." {Putting paper aside,) But, dear uncle, I really can't un- derstand Johnson {excited). You don't understand? Well, that's another thing ! Can't you comprehend that if we are to have one of these humbugs here all peace and quiet in the country will be at an end? Louisa. Dear uncle, — no ! Don't get excited — but I must confess that I hail with delight the prospect of being able to receive medical treatment when needed, and we can't but feel grateful to Mr. Erichson for having occasioned it. Johnson {dashing the clay pipe to the ground), John Erichson is an old fool, and you a little goose, Louisa, that talk as light as the Avind ! Having now for so many years lived healthy and contented, Avith God's blessing hereabouts, without any need of humbugs, it strikes me that we can dispense with that article in future. What? Louisa. Good, dear old uncle, there is no one who desires it should be a patent-medicine doctor! {Laughs,) On the contrary ! Mr. Erichson advertises for a talented physician and not a humbug. Johnson {laughs). Not a humbug ! Well, indeed ! No, my pet, there is no such article among the medical men ! Not a humbug ! Indeed ! They are a fine flock of birds, all of them ! Not a humbug ! ha ! ha ! ha ! Louisa. For shame, uncle ! You ought not to apply such sentiments to all alike ! Do you call that just? Is there not DISTURBANCE ON THE FARM. 7 hundreds of doctors of whom it would be a blessing if one could come here? I know Johnson. You know an old hat ! I can't understand, Louisa, how you can talk such nonsense ! There was Aunt Caroline in Bergen, who in every thing else was your model ; didn't she herself write that if the attending physician had not bled your mother she would never have died ? Louisa. It's both sin and shame for you and Aunt Caro- line to talk so ! The doctor did what he could, and Johnson. Ha ! ha ! ha ! Yes, what he could ! But the difficulty was he couldn't do anything ! He was a humbug ! Ha! ha! ha! Louisa. If Johnson. O, may I beg to be spared the ^'If "? I con- fine myself to facts! Who was it, do you suppose, killed Peter? He was my best harvest hand ! And then, besides, it happened in the middle of busy harvest time ! Louisa. Good God, uncle Johnson. No, the good God would never have thought of sending for Peter just then ! Don't mix the Lord in that ! It was the doctor alone that did that job ! Louisa. How could the doctor be to blame for Peter's drinking the whole bottle off at once ? He had both said and written : 10 drops every 3 hours. Johnson. The devil he had ! And even if he had, some- thing I yet doubt very much, it was of course scribbled in that infernal doctor-Latin which no decent christian can read. Perhaps, too, that Dr. Calvin, who defrauded me of $5000 and thereby compelled me to leave house and home in Europe, had both said and written that they were to be taken in drops? No, my girl, the whole business Avent up in smoke at once ! Louisa. I have no perfect knowledge of that affair, but — Johnson. But still you must have your say, like a little goose, about something you know nothing about. No — {lights a cigar), — no, I have my reasons, and they are solid I'd have you know ! Louisa. Yes, if you call such reasons solid, then Johnson. Goodness-gracious me ! Of course I call them solid ! Have you anything to urge against them perhaps ? Just look at Martin, now at work in the field on two sound » DISTURB ANCE ON THE EARM. legs ; if he hadn't objected by screaming murder, then these — these cannibals would have cut his leg off last autumn when it was damaged in the threshing machine ! No, no I Don't come to me Avith your modifications, 'cause I'll annihilate every one! All! (Puts lighted end of cir/ar in his mouth,) Auw ! (^Expectorates) . Louisa. (Laughs.) There, you see what comes of ^ettinof excited. Johnson. Well, I suppose 1 have a riglit to get excited in my own house, when I find occasion ! Besides, Louisa, you ought to understand better how to Louisa (putting her arms around his neck) . Ought to understand better how to humor uncle, and not help him to be crusty ! Be (kissing him) sensible now, and come Johnson. No ! I won't be sensible ! I am awful angry ! I should already have been out in the field — I should have had the contract with the miller written — I should (stamps the ground) — oh dear, the rascally doctors are to blame for it all ! If that humbug comes to my farm I'll — I'll break his legs for him. Scene 2. Johnson. Louisa. Questrup. QuESTRUP. (Comes in through gate from tvoods in the hackgrouncL) Good-morning I Good-morning! he ! he ! he I Johnson. Hallo ! Is that you, Questrup? Welcome, old fellow ! (Shake hands.) ^ Questrup (to Louisa). Your humble servant. Miss Ol- son ! Well, he ! he ! always beautiful like a blooming rose ! he ! he ! he ! Louisa. The 'Squire is very liberal with his compliments to-day. Questrup. The truth must out. Miss Olson ! It must out ! he ! he ! I must Johnson. AYell, well, Questrup, you can later be as gal- ant to the lady as you please, but now tliat I have you here I Avill no more release you than you would let a new lawsuit slip through your fingers. You see, my friend, I have Questrup. You observe, Miss Olson, that cruel fate re- moves me from a most pleasing situation ! he I he ! (Bows to Louisa and turns to Johnson). Go on, old fellow I You DISTURBANCE ON THE FAK31. 9 see I have formed my face into the requisite business expres- sion. Accordingly, you have? Johnson. I have had annoyances since early morning — QuESTRUP (rubbing his hands), A little lawsuit? he I he I Johnson. No, it is something entirely different. We have a few blockheads here Avho have put a long nonsensical piece in the Chicago ''Times," about getting a humbug of a doctor to locate here ! If they had respected me sufficiently to ask my advice in the matter, you may believe I Avould have read the text to them ! It is enough to drive one mad I QuESTRUP. Well, that is a fine mess ! (aside) . He is still courting his old antipathy. Johnson. Yes, but we have no more time to talk about it ; Louisa can tell you later how exquisite lovely it will be when we get the humbug established among us, for of course she belongs to the opposition ! QuESTRUP. That's woman's nature, my friend I Suffrage will show itself, and (turns to Louisa) it is chiefly this that render women so (bowing) very irresistable ! he I he ! he ! Johnson. Oh, no more of your nonsense ! The little lady Louisa. Yes, the little lady supposed that the gentlemen had more important matters to discuss than the reason of woman's irresistableness. Johnson. Upon my honor, you are righf, and we will desist. (Tarns to Questrup) , The case stands like this, you see, I am very busy with the men in the field to-day. and this nonsense about doctors has put me out of sorts and made me morose, and I have not written the contract with the miller you're acquainted with the terms of it, I be- lieve ? Questrup. Yes. Johnson. It must go in the 2 o'clock mail in order to reach Milwaukee to-night. Can you oblige me by putting it in shape, that I may go out and see to the men? Questrup. With pleasure, Johnson ! By all means at- tend your men, I'll take care of the contract ! Johnson (slaps him on tlie shoulder). You're an uncom- monly fine fellow, Questrup ! (Imy.^T'RVI^ (flattered). Oil — he I he! lie I — don't men- tion it ! 10 DISTURBANCE ON THE FAR3I. Johnson. The papers lie on my desk ; Louisa can pro- cure everything for you. But I must be off. So long I (^Ex'it through gate in background) . QcESTRLP. JGood-bve! Louisa. j Scene 3. Louisa. Questkup. QuESTKUP. Now I must beg you to get me those papers, so as to get this matter straightened out as soon as possible. Later we will go out and see the harvesting, for I have not come into the country to-day to sit buried in papers and doc- uments, he ! he ! he ! Louisa. Mr. Questrup, I have an idea ! QuESTRUP. No! — Lideed? he! he! Louisa. It is very interesting ! Questrup. Then I'll do anything to realize it ! Louisa (hozuing), Hoav gallant ! You see the sun is very warm in imcle's room ; so suppose we move the table out here, and you can sit in the shade under the walnut-tree and write, while you tell me something of Chicago. Questrup. The idea is charming ! Louisa. Then I'll go after the papers and table. {Goes toward Johnson'^f^ room), Questrup. You'll allow me to assist you? {FoUowh her. Both go into Johnson^s room and come oid immed'icdehj car- rying a tahle^ on which are writing materials) , This way, Miss Olson ! There ! Let us place it here. Many thanks. Louisa {taking hold of rocker). You prefer the rocker? Questrup {takes the rocker), 1 prefer you to let me carry the chair myself! {Sits doicn and commences to examinr- papers) . Lovisx { f/ouring oat coffee) . You'll permit me to offer you a cup of coffee ? Questrup. Nectar, you mean, he ! he ! Nectar, when you have made it, he ! he ! Louisa {laughing). I fear you praise it too highly. Per- haps it is not strong enough for you? Questrup (/a.s^///7 it). Um ! Delicious! Real nectar. he ! he ! 1 knew it would be ! Louisa. It is quite alarming how you have come to practice flattery ! Is that the fashion now in Chicago? DISTURBANCE ON THE FARM. 11 QuESTRUP. But I am not flattering ! It is the plain, un- varnished truth, he ! he ! he ! Louisa. No, no ! Don't think you can make the country people believe everything ! ( Takes her seiuing and sits doiun) . But tell me something about Chicago. We only get one mail a week, and I have great curiosity to know what's going on. I know you have a great quantity of news. QuESTRUP. 1? — No, dear Miss Olson, I have, — if I may be pardoned the expression, — only J:hat of which the world was made. Louisa. What do you mean ? QuESTRUP. I mean ''Nothing." You know that's what the Avorld was made of. Louisa. Yes, thanks for the witticism, but I'll not let you off so easy. Come, be entertaining, and tell me of Chicago. I've never been there ! How do things look down there ? QuESTRUP. I can assure you. Miss Olson, that every- thing in Chicago is progressing in the same old-fashioned way ; but — you command, and I obey ! Supposing I relate you the charms and peculiarities of Chicago in a song ? Louisa. That would be delightful ! QuESTRUP. I am flattered. Miss Olson ! But it is the easiest way in which I can acquaint you with Chicago, so I will do it. {He sings) : "You are rich, you are beautiful, South?" But at the west a star brightly glimmers, It's Chicago that sparkles and shimmers. And where beauty invites you : Come out ! The Emigrant knows so perfect Where Aladdin's lamp is in waiting, II : He will find while investigating — That the lamp it has — a defect ! : || From the lake, whose mirror of blue Enhances the charms of all beauty, * See Chicago smoking and sooty — So black you will find but a few. 'Tis grand, very grand, this prospect With steam, and steeples, and rumble ! II : Pray enter — take care you don't stumble, For our sidewalks have — a defect ! : || See the sparkling river and lake, Hear the steamer's whistling and ringing. 12 DISTURBANCE OX THE FARM. And drawbridges constantly swinging — A picture of confusion make ! One must wait by the sun hotly decked An hour if commerce disposes, II : But forget not to cover your noses, — As the odor there has — a defect ! : || All corners policemen "emboss" — That is, where there's fine promenading, And where elegant ladies are waiting For a guide to conduct them across. About this we are very exact. But murder and loafer's vocation II: We cannot subject to invasion — As our habits here have — a defect ! :|| We're highly gallant all way Towards those who Chicago will visit, You will meet the Gent whose "biz" it Is that you must not go astray ! Everything he will show you correct! He will urge it with greatest persuasion ! II : And a later investigation Shows your portmanteau with — a defect ! : || There you liberty will comprehend ! With her golden fruits we ai e lavish ! Even revolvers the children carries Under pretence themselves to defend I The law has but slightest effect. Such trifles must ne one astonish ! II : Only greenhorns will try to admonish 'rhat our laws have at all — a defect ! :|| Every street to its fullest extent With locomotives is crowded, And trackmen are lustily shouting. In order to prevent accident ! Here the coming generation inspect — Make a note of humanitie's phases ! II : We get thousands of lawsuits and cases (Rubs his hands) About this there is ne'er — a defect ! :|| Louisa. I thank yon, temporarily ! 1 must not oecAipy your time any longer at present, as the contract must be finished when uncle returns. I must also attend to the kitchen. But write diligently, so tliat we can liave a chat again. QuESTRur. Yes, if you wish it. Til work like a horse, he! he I DISTURBANCE OX THE FARM. 13 Louisa. That's right ! ( Takes coffee-service off the table) . If yon are real diligent Ave shall have an opportunity to go out in the fields this afternoon and see the harvesting. (Exit through glass door) . (The white spread must remain on the table, also the photograph- album, Louisa's sewing, and dish of cookies). Scene 4. QuESTRUP. Later Louisa. QuESTRUP (rises to gaze through glass door after Louisa and soliloquizes). She is lovely ! I'm completely bewitched by that girl, he ! he ! he ! (Rubs his hands) . Johnson appears to me to be desirous of the match. Didn't he say that 1 could be as galant as I chose ? he ! he ! he ! It actually amounts to a request ! Courage, Questrup ! Boldly ventured is half won. She is worth a cool $40,000, he ! he ! She inherits all John- son's property. I drafted the will myself. Had no idea at that time that the chicken was being prepared for me ! he ! he ! (Pause) . It's an awkward position when one is about to ''pop" the question. My heart is coming out of my mouth ! If Johnson hadn't in every respect completely eman- cipated her, I could have arranged the business with him ; as it is, I must negotiate with herself. If I only knew how to commence the nonsense ! (Picks the white rose off in dis- traction) . But — sh ! Yes, sure enough, there she comes again !— hm ! (Goes to and fro humming) . Louisa (standing in glass door). But what do I see? I thought you was diligently writing so as to accompany me to the fields this afternoon ? Didn't you say that you would work like a horse ? Questrup. I — I — Louisa. Yes, you — you ! Questrup. It was so warm there — the sun fairly baked me! (Fans himself luith the rose) . Louisa (laughing) . Pshaw ! You was sitting in the shade. But what's this I see? Do you know what you ought to have ? Questrup. N — no ! Louisa. You ought to have your fingers whipped I You have plucked my beautiful white rose ! Questrup. (Gazing confusedly cd rose) . Oh! Louisa. Yes, "oh !" But that does not replace the rose. 14 DISTURBANCE OX THE FARM. But just wait ! I'm already so far Americanized that I know I'm entitled to damages. What do you offer? QuESTRUP. (Aside). Now or never! Here is the op- portunity ! Louisa. Well, what do you offer? QuESTRUP. (Kneels) . Myself ! Louisa. (Laughs) . Yes, thank you I But that will not replace my rose. QuESTRUP. (RisiiKj), Miss Olson — dear Louisa — bear with me a moment — I will — I will surround you with roses — with the most beautiful — I — this rose — this beautiful little rose — he ! he ! — it was so like you. Louisa, that I loved it ! And I was obliged to possess it ! (Tcihes her hand). Oh. Louisa, my beloved — Louisa. Detach me, Questrup, I may QuESTRUP. Only hear how I thee covet, Do not try to run away ! Lonely I about am plodding, While for thee my heart is throbbing, Oh, Louisa — Louisa. nay, oh, nay! (Makes effort to go), QuESTRi'P. Please, oh, please don't run away ! — Here within a heart is beating Very warm for thee, my dear ! 15,000, without fibbing, I can offer, free and clear ; And a home quite nicely furnished — Louisa. (Aside,) Oh, but I am so astonished! Questrup. — Oh, Louisa — Louisa. nay! oh, nay! (Finns into house through glass door) , Questrup. There ! But nov/ she ran away. Scene 5. Questrup. Lind. Questrup. (Brushing his loiees), Ilm ! My pretty miss is rather haughty ! (Throws the rose au-ajj). But tliis does not end the play. Miss Proudlook, you may depend. When Johnson returns, Questrup and I will ha\'e a few serious words with him, and — then — DISTURBANCE ON THE FARM. 15 LiND. (^Coming through gate in background ; lie is dad hi a light summer suit). Good-morning, sir! QuESTRUP. {Turns surjjvised) , Good-morning! LiND. Mr. Johnson, I presume? QuESTRUP. No ! my name is Questrup. Lawyer Qiiest- rup of Chicago ! {Producing card) . Here's my card ! LiND. {Looking hard at him) , Questrup! Why, really ! I know you very well ! Questrup. Indeed ! There are a great many people who know me. I have a very extensive practice. LiND. I'm glad to hear you say so ! But it is not through your extensive practice that I know you. Look at me ! Don't you recollect me ? Questrup. {Gazing at him) , Let me see — no — no, I give it up ! I can't recollect having formerly — LiND. My name is Lind. Henry Lind from Elsinore ! Questrup. Dear me, from Elsinore ! — but — I — never- theless, I can't — Lind. Well, I was but a little rat when I went to school to you, but Questrup. Hold on I I have it ! It was you I called the mischiefmaker ! Henry Mischief! ha! ha! ha! Oh, yes, I remember you very well ! Lind. {Laughing), And we used to call you ''old fel- low," ha ! ha ! ha ! It was not at that time because of your age, but you had such old-fashioned manners. I hope you don't take oifense at my talking so freely, old fellow ? Questrup. {Somewhat provoked) . Of course not. Lind. Do you live here? Questrup. No ! Didn't I just tell you I live in Chicago? Lind. Right ! I forgot. Then you are up here on busi- ness ? Fleecing the farmers in some little law suit ? Questrup. {Angry) . Not at all I I am visiting John- son, an old friend of mine. Lind. I have found the place then. Johnson lives here? Questrup. He does. Lind. {Takes Louisa's sewing), 1 see there are ladies on the farm ! As I intend locating hereabouts, it can't be detrimental to my interest to make a few lady acquaintances. You must help me do that ! In lady acquaintances one com- bines profit with pleasure, — especially is this the case in 16 DISTURBANCE ON THE FARM. America. I tell you, our pretty belles will soon be the stronger sex in this Republic ; they're very near acquiring the right to vote, and then QcESTRUP. Pardon me ! But what are you, and when did you come to America ? LiND. That's two questions at a time ! In answer to the first, I'm a physician ; to the second, I arrived in New York about two months since, so that I am little more than a greenhorn . QuESTRUP. You're a physician? LiND. That's about it, old fellow ! QuESTRUP. (Aside), That being the case, this dudish chap will not be a very dangerous rival ! LiND. What's that you are muttering? QuESTRUP. I was saying, that you would evidently seek practice in this vicinity ? LiND. That is just my idea. You see, I noticed in (takes a cooky^ eats and talks simultaneously) a Chicago pa- per a call for a young Scandinavian physician to locate here, and a good friend of mine, who knows Mr. Johnson, advised me to see him, he being one of the most influential men in the neighborhood. And thus our meeting, quod erat demon- strandum ! QuESTRUP. That Avas very good advice, your friend gave you, and you must not neglect using it. You will find Mr. Johnson out in the wheat field in (pointing out through hack- ground) — that direction. (Aside) . Now you will be paid for your ''old fellow," you scoundrel ! LiND. Then I'll go out and see him at once. But how strange that we should meet thus ! Eh ? Now you can speak a kind w^ord for me to the ladies here, while I go and see Mr. Johnson. QuESTRUP. Of course, my friend I LiND. I suppose you're married and have a large family? QuESTRUP. No, I am not ! LiND. Well, then, it's high time that you were. I say, do you remember the pretty little Amelia in Elsinore ? How you used to shadow her around ! She gave you a good sized winter mitten along to America, I'll bet ! Slie is married to DISTURBANCE OX THE FAK3I. 17 QuESTRCP. (Angry), Oh, may I once for all time beg you to be silent about these childish stories ! LiND. Childish stories ! Both you and she had arrived at full age, 111 be bound ! QuESTRUP. AVell, all the same, I'm not fond of having the old nonsense rehearsed. LiND. I beg pardon ! I thought it would interest you to hear something of your old inclination. (Eats cooky and examines photograj)h album) . QuESTRUP. (^Aside). I believe it is best at once to pre- vent his opportunity to pay attention to Louisa, as it appears that rascal would be hard to get rid of if he once sees her. And then, too, he possesses these Freshmen airs which our emancipated misses think so very charming, and one never knows what may happen. Only see how he is cramming the cookies down ! My God, as though he had had nothing to eat for two weeks ! (Aloud) . I say, my friend, you're an old pupil of mine, and I know it would please you to hear of anything of a happy character liaving happened me, so I will — (looks around) — I will tell you a secret — (lohispers) — but you must promise me to observe the strictest con- fidence ! Ijnd. ( With mouth full of cooky). Gracious, yes. QuESTRUP. You can keep a secret? LiND. (Eating), Two, if you wish ! QuESTRUP. (Whispering). I'm secretly engaged. LiND. (Constantly eating) . Congratulate, old fellow I (Pressing his hand). Who is the fortunate QuESTRUP. Auw, Auw ! is that a way to — to congratulate ? and then you shout as though you w^ere born in the Avoods ! LiND. Beg pardon ! It was the surprise ! Who is it, then? QuESTRUP. I told you it was a secret I LiND. Well, I understood you as though you wished to confide it me? QuESTRUP. Yes, later ! Wait a few days ! I'm waiting for Johnson's consent to-night. But ''mum" is the word. LiND. Gracious, yes I \^Aside~\. Miss Johnson. \o doubt. \_Aloud'\. There's money of course, old fellow? She is not \qyj handsome, but $20,000 makes love easier, 18 DISTL'HBANCE ON THE FAK31. analogous with ''when the manger is empty the horses bite I" Eh? QcESTRUP. How often must I remind you to speak low? But I must leave you now, as I promised Johnson to finish a writing for him, and \^g cithers papers itp'], LiND. Don't neglect it for tlie sake of Ins anticipated consent I QuESTRi'P. Certainly not I But you had better go and see him at once, as he may go to Mihvaukee this afternoon. Until then, good bye I \_Exits into house through glass doorli. Scene G. LiNi). Later Louisa. LiND. \_Seats himself beside the tcd>le~\. I am really tired as a dog, and have not the slightest desire to tramp out iu the fields in this heat. Johnson will undoiibtedly beat home before he goes to Milwaukee, and — the whole matter could Avait until to-morrow. I suppose I at least can have lodgings here for the night. \_Turns leaves of photograph al- hum~\. What's this? \^Juinps up suddeidij : holds a loose pjhoto in his hand~\. My photograph! But — impossible I And yet it is me I Louisa. — {She has come through glass door unnoticed by him, icalks up behind and takes the picture oitt of his hand and puts in her pocket) — Sir, you take liberties ! LiND. \_T'arns surprised~\. Miss — I beg par — but — really — can it be ? Louisa I Louisa. Lind I LiND. l^Grasps both her hands']. Yes, it is really you I \_Lets go her hands]. Oh, excuse my boldness ! Am I not excusable when after a lapse of so maiiy years I find you? How pretty you have grown I Yes, it must out ! out, that I am so pleased, so happy to find you once more I And you, Louisa, you had not entirely forgotten me I Louisa. Oh, how can you ask such a question? Do you believe I coidd so easily forget him who once so kindly aided me ? Do you think I could ever forget how kindly you cheered my sick mother in Bergen ? How you during the lon