(A pause.)
Haakon. She wanted very much to know how you were feeling--
whether you, who have suffered so much, are at peace now.
Halvdan. At peace? A man who has to die with all his work
unfinished, cannot easily root out all thoughts of that from his
heart.
Haakon. You should try to lay in God's hands all that you have
striven for.
Halvdan. That is what I struggle daily to do. (A pause.)
Haakon. A sister of my wife's, who was a widow and badly off, died
leaving three young children. But she was glad to die. "Their
Heavenly Father will help them better when I am out of the way,"
she said. "I took up too much room," she said; "I know I have often
stood in their way." (A pause.)
Halvdan. You tell that just as your wife would; she told me that
story once.
Haakon. I was to tell you from her that she believes you are to die
in order that what you have worked for may come to its fullest
fruit. She thinks that when you are gone, people will appreciate
better what your aims were.
Halvdan. There is some comfort in the thought that I may be dying
in order that what I have loved may live. I have already given up
happiness-even honour-for it; I gladly give my life for it now. (A pause.)
Haakon. Do you bear ill-will to any of those who have opposed you
so cruelly?
Halvdan.
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