Volume 9 / Act 2 — SCENE VII

WILKENS enters as hurriedly as his figure permits. WEILER eating; FORESTER; SOPHY.

WILKENS (while entering).

But what in the world has happened here? Good-day to you all.

SOPHY (alarmed).

Happened! But for heaven's sake—has anything happened?

FORESTER.

You immediately lose your head.

WILKENS.

You'll see, you obstinate fellow!

SOPHY.

But what is the meaning of all this?

WILKENS.

How should I know? On the road I meet that crazy John, and he is gesticulating with his arms as if he were striking some one, and points in the direction of the forester's house—

FORESTER.

He was pointing toward the forest; he meant to call attention to the clearing—

WILKENS.

I really was going in another direction, but I thought I'd better see. And immediately I see some one standing absorbed in thought, not far from the house. It's Andrew. You ask him, I say to myself. Well! As he hears me coming he starts up, gives me a wild look, and—is gone. I call after him. Well! It seems he has forgotten his name. I run after him, but he—disappears, as if he had an evil conscience.

SOPHY.

I wonder what that can mean.

FORESTER (calls out of the window, with authority).

Andrew!

WILKENS.

There he comes.