ULFHEIM.

I am not speaking of people---


MAIA.

You said your nearest friends---


ULFHEIM.

Well, who should they be but my dogs?


MAIA.

Are your dogs your nearest friends?


ULFHEIM.

I have none nearer. My honest, trusty, absolutely loyal comrades--.
When one of them turns sick and miserable--bang!--and there's my
friend sent packing--to the other world.

[The SISTER OF MERCY comes out of the hotel with a tray on which
is bread and milk. She places it on the table outside the
pavilion, which she enters.