Father monologue (Act 2) — Three Comedies

(when the glasses have been filled again) My wife and I--thank you very much for your welcome. We could not set out on our journey without first seeing our child--our two children. A good friend of ours (looking at MATHILDE) advised us to come unexpectedly. At first we did not want to but now we are glad we did; because now we can see for ourselves that Laura told the truth in her letters. You are happy--and therefore we old folk must be happy too, and bury all recollection of what--what evidently happened for the best. Hm, hm!--At one time we could not think it was so--and that was why we did not wish to be parted from our child; but now we can make our minds quite easy about it--because now we can trust you. I have complete trust in you, Axel, my dear son--God bless you! (They grasp hands, and drink to each other again.)