for you know so much more than I do, and I am sure that the Lord
will put you on the right path again--but I ask you to take care
of your own life, so that you won't plunge headlong into
perdition! Don't risk your life!

Olof. What do you mean? They won't kill me in the pulpit, will
they?

Mother. Haven't you heard that Bishop Brask wants the Pope to
introduce the law that sends all heretics to the stake?

Olof. The inquisition?

Mother. Yes, that's what they call it.

Olof. Leave me, mother! To-day I must stand up and preach.

Mother. You shall not do it.

Olof. Nothing can prevent me.

Mother. I have prayed to God that He would touch your heart--I'll
tell you, but you mustn't speak of it to anybody. I am weak with
age, and I couldn't trust my own knees, so I went to see a
servant of the Lord and asked him, who is nearer to God, to say
some prayers for your soul. He refused because you are under the
ban. Oh, it's dreadful! May the Lord forgive me my sin! I bribed
the pure conscience of that man with gold--with the Devil's own
gold--just to save you!