Part 12 (1/2)

”All is broken off between _Johannes_ and me,” she tragically replies, and then, turning to the clergyman, she says: ”My conscience won't keep it any longer; for four years long I have----”

_Mikko_ and his mother try all they can to prevent her speaking.

But the clergyman, seeing the girl wishes to say something, thrusts them aside and exhorts her to proceed.

”I am a great sinner,” says the girl tremulously. A breathless silence seizes every one present as _Anna_ continues, ”Four years ago I had a child, in the forest yonder, and, I, poor creature, I killed it.”

At this juncture a bailiff, who chanced to be of the company, rises and inquires if her parents knew this at the time.

”No,” she answers in her clear and dulcet tones, ”they knew nothing.”

Turning to her heartbroken parents with great earnestness, she says:

”Father and mother, do not grieve for me! Do not sorrow! I am not in trouble any more. You see how glad I am. Never in my life have I felt so happy.”

_Johannes_ (touched). ”_Anna Liisa_----!”

_The Father._ ”Don't you then consider the disgrace you have brought over our gray hair?”

_Anna Liisa._ ”I repent. Forgive me! Oh, that I could once make good what I have done wrong!”

The Mistress of Ristola and other guests express their sympathy with the parents.

_Mikko_ (aside to _Husso_). ”There's nothing more to be done. Things must have their course. Let us be off!”

[_Exeunt._

_The Father._ ”Oh, that I could get into my grave! That's my only hope.”

_Rector._ ”Not so, dear friends, not so! You have no reason for sorrow at this moment, but gladness and joy. The Spirit of G.o.d has been working in your daughter and has gained the victory. Do not look upon this matter as the world does, but from a higher standpoint. Until to-day _Anna Liisa_ has erred. Now she has found the right way. Let us thank and praise the Lord of Heaven!”

_Mistress of Ristola._ ”Yes, it is truly so. It is a chastis.e.m.e.nt for the flesh, but not to the spirit.”

_The Father._ ”We are shortsighted, we human beings. We do not always comprehend the purposes of the Almighty.”

_The Mother._ ”And the earthly mind always seeks to govern.”

_Rector._ ”Let us strive the more to progress in the life of the Spirit, and by G.o.d's help we can win like _Anna Liisa_ (grasping _Anna Liisa's_ hand). Yes, go in peace, my child. Go where your conscience compels you to go, and the Heavenly Father strengthen you that you may hold out to the end. We did congratulate you on a less important change in external life, but a thousand times more warmly do we congratulate you on the change in your inner life.”

_Doctor._ ”I agree with the Rector. Good-bye!”

_Anna Liisa_ (embracing first her father and then her mother).

”Good-bye, father! good-bye, mother! good-bye! Good-bye all!”

_Chorus._ ”Good-bye, we wish you happiness.”

_Johannes._ ”_Anna Liisa_, won't you bid me farewell?”

_Anna Liisa._ ”Certainly! Good-bye, _Johannes_.”