(SCENE.--A large and handsomely furnished sitting-room at the EVJE'S.
The room is brightly lit and the fire burning. The entrance door is on
the right, and beyond it a door leading to the dining-room. INGEBORG
is busy taking the covers off the chairs, folding them carefully as she
does so. After a little, the bell rings. She goes to open the door, and
returns, showing in the DOCTOR.)
The Doctor. Oho! Is it to be in here to-night?
Ingeborg (who has resumed her work of making the room ready). Yes, sir.
The Doctor. Where are they all?
Ingeborg. At the meeting, sir.
The Doctor. All of them?
Ingeborg. Yes, all of them. Miss Gertrud went first--
The Doctor. Yes, I saw her well enough!
Ingeborg. And then the master, and a farmer gentleman with him, came in
to fetch the mistress.
The Doctor (to himself). Something has happened here, then. (Aloud.)
Tell me, Ingeborg--has _he_ been here again? You know who I mean.
(Coughs in imitation of the EDITOR'S cough.)
Ingeborg. Oh, the Editor; no, sir.
The Doctor (to himself). I wonder what has happened. (Aloud.) Well,
evidently there is to be a festivity here to-night; and, as I see the
chairs are getting their covers taken off, I may as well take mine off
too. (Takes off his coat and gives it to INGEBORG, who carries it out.)
I don't blame Evje for wanting to celebrate Harald's success after a
meeting like that! He is not exactly eloquent in the ordinary sense
of the word--doesn't bother about his antitheses and climaxes and
paradoxes, and all that sort of nonsense; but he is a _man_! He goes
bail for what he says, and he says what he likes--ha, ha! And that dear
Gertrud, too! Follows him into the hall, and, as there isn't a single
seat left there, goes up on to the platform among the committee, and
sits there looking at him with those trustful blue eyes of hers, as if
there was no one else in the room! And _we_ were all looking at _her_!
She helped him more than ten good speakers would have done, I am sure.
Her faith in him bred it in others, whether they liked it or no. She
is one who would die for her faith! Yes, yes! The man that gets her--.
(INGEBORG comes back.) Well! (Rubs his hands together.) Look here,
Ingeborg. (Very politely.) Do you know what is meant by the Rights of
Man?
Ingeborg (going on with her work). No, sir. Something we have earned, I
suppose.
The Doctor. Yes, you earn them every day.
Ingeborg. Our meals, perhaps?
The Doctor (laughing). No, it isn't something to eat, unfortunately.
(Politely.) Do you ever read papers, Ingeborg?
Ingeborg. Papers? Oh, you mean the price-lists they leave at the kitchen
door. Yes, sir; every day, before we go to market, I--
The Doctor. No, I don't mean papers of that sort. I mean--
Ingeborg. Oh, you mean the newspaper I take in to master's room every
morning. No, Sir, I don't read that. I am told there are such horrors in
it.
The Doctor. Quite so. Don't you care to read about horrors, then?
Ingeborg. Oh, we poor folk see enough of them in our everyday lives,
without reading about them!--But perhaps the gentry enjoy it.
The Doctor. You are a very wise woman. Let me tell you, though, that
there is a fight going on, about--oh, well, never mind what it is about.
And the Editor and Mr. Rejn, who both come to this house, are the two
chief fighters. Don't you want to know what they are fighting about?
Ingeborg (going on unconcernedly with her work). Oh, so they are
fighting, are they? No, I don't care the least bit, sir!
The Doctor (to himself). Ha, ha--the difference between Ingeborg and
me is that I am interested in the fight merely as a student of human
nature, and she is not interested in it at all. I wonder which is
farthest from any genuine belief in politics?--from our "duty as a
citizen," as they call it? (To INGEBORG.) Ingeborg, do you know what
your "duty as a citizen" means?
Ingeborg. My "duty as a citizen"? That mean; paying fines, doesn't it,
sir?
The Doctor. Yes; and a very heavy fine, into the bargain!
Ingeborg. The master was fined because the pavement was not swept. John
was ill.
The Doctor. Quite right, that was one of his duties as a citizen.--Tell
me, Ingeborg, are they expecting a lot of people here to-night?
Ingeborg. No, sir, I have only laid table for quite a few.
The Doctor. And what are they going to have?
Ingeborg. Oh, one or two dishes and one or two sorts of wine--.
The Doctor. Aha! (A ring is heard at the bell. INGEBORG goes to the
door.) There they are! Now we shall have a fine time!
Ingeborg (coming back with a letter). It is a note for you, sir.
The Doctor. Oh, bother I
Ingeborg. The man who brought it was not sure whether you would be at
the meeting or here.
The Doctor. How could he know--? (Putting on his glasses.) Oh, from my
assistant--that is quite another thing. Of course he wants my help or my
advice. Well, he shan't have it! I have run about quite enough to-day.
Tell the messenger that I haven't time! I have my Duties as a Citizen
to attend to! (Calls after her.) And my Manhood's Rights too! (Opens the
envelope.) No, I won't read it; if I do, the matter will worry me all
the evening. I know what I am. (Puts the note in his pocket.) I mean to
enjoy this evening! (Suddenly.) I wonder how our friend the Editor is
enjoying this evening! Was he at the meeting, I wonder? A remarkable
personality--but malignity itself! Lion-hearted, though! He would fight
till the last drop of his blood! But what is it, really, that he is
fighting for? That question has always interested me, for I can't make
it out. (To INGEBORG, who has comeback.) Well?
Ingeborg. The messenger has gone.--Yes, sir, I told him everything you
told me to.
The Doctor. Of course. You would! Why the deuce does any one pay any
attention to what I say! (The bell rings.) Here they are at last! Now
we shall have a delightful evening! (EVJE and MRS. EVJE come in.) I am
first, you see!
Evje and Mrs. Evje. Were you at the meeting, too?
The Doctor. Where else should I be?
Evje. Did you see me?
Mrs. Evje. There were so many people there, dear.
Evje. But I was standing on a seat.
Mrs. Evje. Yes, he was standing on a seat!
The Doctor. There were plenty of people doing that.
Evje. I wanted to be seen!--There _have_ been goings on here to-day, my
friend!
Mrs. Evje. You will never guess what has happened!
The Doctor. Anyway I can see that something has happened.
Evje and Mrs. Evje. Oh--!
The Doctor. What is it, then?
Evje. Those articles will be in to-morrow's paper.
The Doctor. In the paper?--Yes, I didn't find him.
Evje. But I found him!
The Doctor (impatiently). Well?
Evje. I will tell you all about it another time. But I have read them--
Mrs. Evje. And he has told me all about them!
The Doctor. Are they very bad?
Evje. Oh--oh!
Mrs. Evje. Oh--oh--oh!
The Doctor (with a look of pleased curiosity.) As bad as all that?
Evje and Mrs. Evje. Oh--oh--oh--oh!
The Doctor. And _that_ was why you went to the meeting!
Evje. Of course--tit for tat! It was my wife's idea.
Mrs. Evje. It was the obvious thing to do, dear.
Evje. Our whole family at the meeting!--So that all the town should know
that it was nothing but the meanest political persecution because I had
joined my son-in-law's party.
Mrs. Evje. We are party people now, you know!
Evje. Do you know, there is something exciting about being mixed up with
such things--something invigorating, something--
The Doctor (stepping back). Are _you_ bitten with it, too?
Evje. Yes, if I can't be left in peace, I shall become a party man.
The Doctor (enthusiastically). Did you see Gertrud?
Evje and Mrs. Evje (with emotion). Our Gertrud! Yes, indeed we did!
The Doctor. Did you see her coming in with him!
Evje and Mrs. Evje (as before). Yes, we saw her coming in with him!
The Doctor. I suppose you did not know she was going?
Evje and Mrs. Evje. Oh, yes!
Mrs. Evje. She had said she would go with us--
Evje. But when we went to fetch her, the bird had flown!
The Doctor. How pretty she looked, too! All the men were looking at her.
And how she looked at him!
Mrs. Evje. It made me want to cry. I had quite a job to prevent myself.
Evje. You need not have minded, dear! God has given us great happiness.
Her faith in him and her love shone to from her eyes that it went to my
heart. I felt quite upset! (Wipes his eyes.)
The Doctor. And what about _him_--eh? I don't fancy any one will think
about stopping his career. We have been a pack of fools.
Evje. That we have!
The Doctor. He is not exactly eloquent, but--
Evje. That is precisely what I was saying to my wife! He is not exactly
eloquent, but he is--
The Doctor.--a man!
Evje. A man! My very words, weren't they, my dear?
Mrs. Evje. Yes.--And I say he is so strong a man that he can afford to
be tender-hearted. For he certainly has been that.
Evje. Yes, he has been that!
The Doctor (laughing). In spite of his strength!
Evje. Oh, you may make the most of your--. Aha! (Loud ringing at the
bell is heard.) Here they are!
Mrs. Evje. Let us go and meet them!
The Doctor. No; look here--let us wait for them at the other side of the
room, so that they may make a triumphal progress up to us!
Evje and Mrs. Evje, Yes! (They go to the opposite end of the room, while
HARALD comes in rather quickly, with GERTRUD on his arm. As they cross
the room, the others cry out: "Bravo! Bravo!" and clap their hands.)
Gertrud (still holding to HARALD's arm). And he is my man! My man!
(Throws her arms round his neck, crying with happiness, and kisses him;
then does the same to her mother, and then to her father, to whom she
whispers: Thank you!)
The Doctor. Oh--me too!
Gertrud (after a moment's hesitation). Yes--you too!
(The DOCTOR helps her to take off her cloak, and talks to her,
whispering and laughing.)
Harald (shaking EVJE's hand). Good evening!
Evje. Forgive me!
Harald. With all my heart!
Mrs. Evje. And now everything is all right!
Harald. For good!
Evje and Mrs. Evje. For good!
Harald. And, thank you for coming to the meeting.
Evje. It was no more than our duty! Look here--did you see me?
Harald. The whole time! But, tell me, was it a delusion, or was it my
brother Haakon that was standing on the floor beside you, rather in the
shadow?
Evje and Mrs. Evje. It _was_ he!
Evje. I fetched him from your brother Halvdan's.
Harald. I am so glad! It must have pleased Haakon. Gertrud and I at
first thought of going in to see Halvdan before we came on here; but we
saw all his lights were out. He must be asleep.
Evje. I can give you news of him. He is all right.
Harald. And Haakon?
Evje. Very well, too. A fine fellow! I wanted him to come home with us
now; but he said he was tired after his journey.
Mrs. Evje (to INGEBORG, who has come in from the dining room). Is it
ready?
Ingeborg. Yes, ma'am.
Mrs. Evje. Then come along. (INGEBORG opens the dining-room door.)
The Doctor and Evje. Yes, come along!
The Doctor. But we must go ceremoniously! Let us make a little festivity
of it to-night! You must head the procession, Evje--and then the two
young people Gertrud (taking HARALD's arm). Yes!
The Doctor. And Mrs. Evje and I will bring up the rear! (Offers her his
arm.)
Evje. Forward!(The bell rings. He stops.) Who can it be--as late as
this?
The Doctor. Probably some friends on their way back from the meeting.
Mrs. Evje. We must wait a moment!(To INGEBORG, who is going to open the
door.)Put a leaf in the table, and lay places for as many as come.
Ingeborg. Yes, ma'am. (The bell rings again, as she goes to open the
door.)
The Doctor. They are impatient! So much the better--it shows they are in
a good humour after the meeting! (A knock is heard at the door.)
All. Come in!(The EDITOR comes in, with no overcoat on, but wearing his
hat, which he forgets to take of till he is well into the room. He goes
straight up to EVJE, who has crossed over to the left-hand side of the
room.)
All (when they see him in the doorway). You! (GERTRUD clings closer to
HARALD.)
The Editor. I wanted once more, as in the old days, not to go to bed
without--this time it is not a question of thanking you for the happy
time we have had together but without begging your pardon!(He speaks
quietly, but with suppressed emotion.)There has been some unfortunate
misunderstanding. Those articles have been printed, in spite of my
express instructions to the contrary--I do not know how.
Evje. I have read them.
The Editor. You have read them?
Evje. Yes, the copy of the paper that was meant for you came into my
hands.
The Editor. So that was it!--Forgive me, old friend! Won't you give me
your hand?
Mrs. Evje (coming forward). That he shall never do!
The Editor (glancing over his shoulder at her). Let no one come between
us at a moment like this! You don't know--. A hundred times in my life
I would have done what I am doing now, had I not been afraid that people
would call it affectation on my part and repulse me. Don't _you_ do
that!--least of all now! Give me your hand, Evje! I beg you, in the
sight and hearing of you all--. (EVJE seems to vacillate.)
Mrs. Evje. No, you shan't!--not while he has anything to do with a
newspaper. Otherwise it will all begin over again to-morrow. He is not
his own master, you know.
The Editor. I have done with it all.
Mrs. Evje. Oh, you have said that so often! Nobody believes it. No; when
a man can push political hatred so far as to write about an old friend,
in whose house he has been a daily guest, as if he were a criminal--and
all because he doesn't like his son-in-law, or his servant--one doesn't
shake hands with him the very day his attacks appear in the paper.
The Editor (who, all the tinge, has kept his back turned to MRS. EVJE,
and has not looked at her). Evje, you are a good-hearted fellow, I know.
Don't listen to what others say, now. This is a very bitter hour for me.
You would be doing a good deed! Give me your hand--or a word! I am
in such a state now that I must have visible signs of _some one's_
forgiveness, or I shall--!
Mrs. Evje (emphatically). Yes, a little repentance will do you good!
But it will do you no good if you obtain forgiveness easily! You want
to learn, just for once, what it is to be wounded at heart. You are only
accustomed to deal with people whom you can flog one day and have at
your feet--either from fear or from vanity--the next. And have we--God
forgive us!--ever thought seriously the worse of you for it? No; because
we never understood what it was till we were hit by it ourselves. But
that is all the more reason why we should do our duty now! Hatred shall
be met with hatred!
The Doctor (at the back of the room, to GERTRUD and HARALD). She is her
father's daughter, after all, when it comes to the point!
The Editor (turns upon MRS. EVJE, with his fist clenched, but restrains
himself from answering her). Then you won't shake hands, Evje? Not a
word of forgiveness?
Evje. I think my wife is right.
The Editor (controlling himself with difficulty). You are a weak man, I
know--
Evje. What do you mean?
The Editor.--but do not be weak this time! If you knew everything,
you would know you _must_ not refuse me what I ask. There are others
concerned--and for that reason--
The Doctor. Let us go!
Mrs. Evje. No, stay! He shall not have his way again.
The Editor. Well, of all--! It is certainly true that those who are
hardest on sinners are those who have never been tempted themselves--and
the most merciless creature in the world is an injured woman.
Mrs. Evje. Now he is coming out in his true colours!
The Doctor (not without glee). Yes, that he is!
The Editor (controlling himself once more). Evje--you, who know me, know
what it must cost me to do this--and you can form some idea of the need
I am in. I have never--
Evje. I believe you; but I never can feel sure what your next move will
be. You have so many.
The Editor. My next move is to have done with it all, as sure as--
Mrs. Evje. Don't believe him! A man who can ask for your sympathy
one moment and abuse you the next is not fit to promise anything--and
certainly not fit to be forgiven, either.
The Editor (with an outburst of passion). Then may everything evil
overtake me if I ever ask you or any one else for sympathy again! You
have succeeded in teaching me that I can do without it! I can rise
above your cowardly cruelty. (To EVJE.) You are a miserable, weak
creature--and have always been, for all your apparent good-natured
shrewdness! (To MRS. EVJE.) And as for you, who have often laughed so
heartily at my so-called malice, and now all at once have become so
severely virtuous--why, you are both like part-proprietors of my paper!
You have taken all the profit you could from me, as long as it served
your purpose--I have seen that for a long time! And all my pretended
friends are like you--secret holders of shares in me, so as to secure
their own safety and the persecution of others!--every bit as guilty as
I am, only more prudent, more timid, more cowardly--!
Evje. Once more--leave this house, which you have outraged!
Mrs. Evje. And how dare you set foot in here again?
The Editor. No, I am not going until all the anger that is in my heart
has turned into fear in yours! Because now I will _not_ have done with
it all! No--it is just through _his_ death that respect for me will
revive--it will be like a rampart of bayonets round me! "There goes
one who can kill a man with a word, if he likes!" _That_ will make them
treat me respectfully!
Harald and the Doctor. What does he mean?
The Editor (as he hears HARALD'S voice). And you--you mountebank, who
can stand up in public and seek applause before your brother's corpse
is cold--don't come talking rant to me! You are more contemptible than I
am! I couldn't have done that; I couldn't stand there, as you are doing
now, impatient to get to your champagne and pretty speeches!--Oh, how I
despise all such lying and heartlessness! (They all look at him and at
each other with a questioning expression.)
Harald. Is my brother dead?
Mrs. Evje. Is his brother dead?
Gertrud. Good God, is Halvdan dead?
Evje. Is he dead? Impossible!
The Doctor. Is Rejn dead--and I--?
Evje. I saw him only a couple of hours ago, looking quite well.
The Editor (in a broken voice). Didn't you know?
All (except the DOCTOR). No!
The Doctor. Ah, that letter, that letter! (Looks in his pocket for it
and his glasses.)
The Editor. I am the wretchedest man alive! (Sinks into a chair.)
The Doctor. I had a letter from my assistant, but I have not read it!
Mrs. Evje. Read it, read it!
The Doctor (reading). "I am writing in great haste. As I expect you will
be going to your old friends' after the meeting, and will meet Harald
Rejn there, the task will probably fall to you of telling him--(the
EDITOR gets up to go, but stands still)--that Halvdan Rejn died about
eight o'clock of a fresh attack of hemorrhage! (HARALD leaves GERTRUD'S
side and comes forward, with a cry. The EDITOR steadies himself by
holding on to the table.) No one was with him; he was found lying across
the threshold of his bedroom. A copy of the newspaper was lying on the
floor behind him." (HARALD, with a groan, advance threateningly towards
the EDITOR.)
Gertrud. Harald, my ring!--my ring! (HARALD Stops, collects himself,
buries his face in his hands and bursts into uncontrollable tears.
GERTRUD puts her arms round him and holds him folded in them.)
The Doctor (laying a hand on HARALD's arm). "The housekeeper told me he
had only spoken two words, and they were 'Forgive him!'" (HARALD bursts
into tears.)
The Doctor (after waiting for a little). "Apparently chance--or perhaps
something else--decreed that the maid who ran for help, should meet the
very man, who hats caused the tragedy, and that it should be _he_ who
helped the housekeeper to lay him on his deathbed." (All look at the
EDITOR.)
Evje. That was why he came! (A pause.)
Gertrud. Harald! (HARALD, who has turned away from her to struggle with
his emotion, does not turn round.) If _he_ could forgive--
The Editor (with a gesture of refusal). No!
Gertrud (quietly, to the EDITOR). If you want to deserve it, make an end
of all this!
The Editor. It is all at an end! (To MRS. EVJE.) You were right. I knew
it myself, too. My armour is pierces pierced through. A child might
conquer me now--and this child has done so; for she has begged for mercy
for me, and no one has ever done that before. (Puts his hand over his
eyes, turns away, and goes out. As he is going out the bell rings. A
moment later, INGEBORG Shows in HAAKON REJN.)
Gertrud (who has put her arms round HARALD, whispers). Who is it?
Harald. My brother. (Goes to meet HAAKON and throws himself into his
arms.) You had a talk with him this afternoon, then?
Haakon. Yes.
Mrs. Evje. Let us all go to him.
Evje and Gertrud. Yes.
Mrs. Evje (to INGEBORG). Bring in our cloaks and hats again, and
afterwards clear the table. (INGEBORG does so.)
Harald (unable to control his emotion). Haakon, this is my future wife.
(Goes away from them.)
Haakon. Well, my dear, your engagement has begun seriously; take all the
future seriously, too.
The Doctor. You need not say that to _her_. What she needs is to take
life more lightly.
Haakon. Oh, yes--if she lays everything in God's hands she can always
take life lightly.
Mrs. Evje. It is our own fault, I expect, when we take it too lightly.
Evje. But sometimes we learn a lesson by that.
Haakon. Oh, yes. Well, we must stand by one another, we who take life in
the same way.
Mrs. Evje. Shall we go, children?
Harald (to HAAKON). Will you bring Gertrud, Haakon? I would rather go
alone. (They go out. The curtain falls.)
THE BANKRUPT
A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
HENNING TJAELDE, merchant and brewer.
MRS. TJAELDE, his wife.
VALBORG and SIGNE, their daughters.
LIEUTENANT HAMAR, engaged to Signe.
SANNAES, Tjaelde's confidential clerk.
JAKOSSEN, manager of Tjaelde's brewery.
BERENT, a lawyer.
PRAM, a custom-house official.
An Agent.
The VICAR.
LIND, a guest.
FINNE, a guest.
RING, a guest.
HOLM, a guest.
KNUTZON, a guest.
KNUDSEN, a guest.
FALBE, a guest.
ACT I
(SCENE.--A sitting-room in the TJAELDES' house, opening on a verandah
that is decorated with flowers. It is a hot summer's day. There is a
view of the sea beyond the verandah, and boats are visible among the
islands that fringe the coast. A good-sized yacht, with sails spread, is
lying close up under the verandah on the right. The room is luxuriously
furnished and full of flowers. There are two French windows in the
left-hand wall; two doors in the right-hand. A table in the middle of
the room; arm-chairs and rocking-chairs scattered about. A sofa in the
foreground on the right. LIEUTENANT HAMAR is lying on the sofa, and
SIGNE sitting in a rocking-chair.)
Hamar. What shall we do with ourselves to-day?
Signe (rocking herself). Hm! (A pause.)
Hamar. That was a delicious sail we had last night. (Yawns.) But I am
sleepy to-day. Shall we go for a ride?
Signe. Hm! (A pause.)
Hamar. I am too hot on this sofa. I think I will move. (Gets up. SIGNE
begins to hum an air as she rocks herself.) Play me something, Signe!
Signe (singing her words to the air she has been humming). The piano is
out of tune.
Hamar. Read to me, then!
Signe (as before, looking out of the window). They are swimming the
horses. They are swimming the horses. They are swimming the horses.
Hamar. I think I will go and have a swim too. Or perhaps I will wait
till nearer lunch-time.
Signe (as before). So as to have a better appetite--appetite--appetite.
(MRS. TJAELDE comes in from the right, walking slowly.)
Hamar. You look very thoughtful!
Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, I don't know what to order.
Signe (as before). For dinner, I suppose you mean?
Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes.
Hamar. Do you expect any one?
Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, your father writes to me that Mr. Finne is coming.
Signe (speaking). The most tiresome person possible, of course.
Mrs. Tjaelde. How would boiled salmon and roast chicken do?
Signe. We had that the other day.
Mrs. Tjaelde. (With a sigh). There is nothing that we didn't. There is
so little choice in the market just now.
Signe. Then we ought to send to town.
Mrs. Tjaelde. Oh, these meals, these meals!
Hamar (yawning). They are the best thing in life, anyway.
Signe. To eat, yes--but not to cook; I never will cook a dinner.
Mrs. Tjaelde (sitting down at the table). One could put up with the
cooking. It's the having always to think of something fresh!
Hamar. Why don't you get a chef from one of the hotels, as I have so
often advised you?
Mrs. Tjaelde. Oh, we have tried that, but he was more trouble than it
was worth.
Hamar. Yes, because he had no invention. Get a French chef!
Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, and have to be always beside him to interpret!--But I
am no nearer this dinner. And lately I have been finding such difficulty
in getting about.
Hamar. I have never in my life heard so much talk about meals as I have
in this house.
Mrs. Tjaelde. You see, you have never been in a prosperous
business-man's house before. Our friends are mostly business-men, of
course--and most of them have no greater pleasures than those of the
table.
Signe. That's true.
Mrs. Tjaelde. Are you wearing _that_ dress to-day?
Signe. Yes.
Mrs. Tjaelde. You have worn a different one every day.
Signe. Well, if Hamar is tired of both the blue one and the grey one,
what can I do?
Hamar. And I don't like this one any better than the others.
Signe. Indeed!--Then I really think you had better order me one
yourself.
Hamar. Come to town with me, and I will!
Signe. Yes, mother--Hamar and I have made up our minds that we must go
back to town. [Note: There would be nothing contrary to Norwegian ideas
of propriety in Signe's proposal. In Norway an engaged couple could
travel alone; and the fiancee would go to stay in the house of her
future husband's relations.]
Mrs. Tjaelde. But you were there only a fortnight ago!
Hamar. And it is exactly a fortnight too long since we were there!
Mrs. Tjaelde. (thoughtfully). Now, what _can_ I order for dinner?
(VALBORG comes into sight on the verandah.)
Signe (turning round and seeing VALBORG). Enter Her Highness!
Hamar (turning round). Carrying a bouquet! Oho! I have seen it before!
Signe. Have you? Did _you_ give it her?
Hamar. No; I was coming through the garden--and saw it on the table in
Valborg's summerhouse. Is it your birthday, Valborg?
Valborg. No.
Hamar. I thought not. Perhaps there is some other festivity to-day?
Valborg. No. (SIGNE suddenly bursts out laughing.)
Hamar. Why do you laugh?
Signe. Because I understand! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Hamar. What do you understand?
Signe. Whose hands it is that have decked the altar! Ha, ha, ha!
Hamar. I suppose you think they were mine?
Signe. No, they were redder hands than yours! Ha, ha, ha, ha! (VALBORG
throws the bouquet down.) Oh, dear me, it doesn't do to laugh so much in
this heat. But it is delightful! To think he should have hit upon that
idea! Ha, ha, ha!
Hamar (laughing). Do you mean--?
Signe (laughing). Yes! You must know that Valborg--
Valborg. Signe!
Signe.--who has sent so many distinguished suitors about their business,
cannot escape from the attentions of a certain red pair of hands--ha,
ha, ha, ha!
Hamar. Do you mean Sannaes?
Signe. Yes! (Points out of the window.) There is the culprit! He is
waiting, Valborg, for you to come, in maiden meditation, with the
bouquet in your hands--as you came just now--
Mrs. Tjaelde. (getting up). No, it is your father he is waiting for. Ah,
he sees him now. (Goes out by the verandah.)
Signe. Yes, it really is father--riding a bay horse!
Hamar (getting up). On a bay horse! Let us go and say "how do you do" to
the bay horse!
Signe. N--o, no!
Hamar. You won't come and say "how do you do" to the bay horse? A
cavalry officer's wife must love horses next best to her husband.
Signe. And he his wife next best to his horses.
Hamar. What? Are you jealous of a horse?
Signe. Oh, I know very well you have never been so fond of me as you are
of horses.
Hamar. Come along! (Pulls her up out of her chair.)
Signe. But I don't feel the least interested in the bay horse.
Hamar. Very well, then, I will go alone!
Signe. No, I will come.
Hamar (to VALBORG). Won't you come and welcome the bay horse too?
Valborg. No, but I will go and welcome my father!
Signe (looking back, as she goes). Yes, of course--father as well. (She
and HAMAR go out.)
(VALBORG goes to the farthest window and stands looking out of it. Her
dress is the same colour as the long curtain, and a piece of statuary
and some flowers conceal her from any one entering the room. SANNAES
comes in, carrying a small saddle-bag and a cloak, which he puts down
on a chair behind the door. As he turns round he sees the bouquet on the
door.)
Sannaes. There it is! Has she dropped it by accident, or did she throw
it down? Never mind--she has had it in her hands. (Picks it up, kisses
it, and is going to take it away.)
Valborg (coming forward). Leave it alone!
Sannaes (dropping the bouquet). You here, Miss Valborg--? I didn't see
you--
Valborg. But I can see what you are after. How dare you presume to think
of persecuting me with your flowers and your--your red hands? (He puts
his hands behind his back.) How dare you make me a laughing-stock to
every one in the house, and I suppose to every one in the town?
Sannaes. I--I--I--
Valborg. And what about me? Don't you think I deserve a little
consideration? You will be turned out of the house before long, if you
do not take care--! Now be quick and get away before the others come in.
(SANNAES turns away, holding his hands in front of him, and goes out by
the verandah to the right. At the same moment TJAELDE is seen coming at
the other end of the verandah, followed by HAMAR and SIGNE.)
Tjaelde. Yes, it is a fine horse.
Hamar. Fine? I don't believe there is its equal in the country.
Tjaelde. I dare say. Did you notice that he hadn't turned a hair?
Hamar. What glorious lungs! And such a beauty, too--his head, his legs,
his neck--! I never saw such a beauty!
Tjaelde. Yes, he is a handsome beast. (Looks out of the verandah at the
yacht.) Have you been out for a sail?
Hamar. I was sailing among the islands last night, and came back this
morning with the fishing-boats--a delightful sail!
Tjaelde. I wish I had time to do that.
Hamar. But surely it is only imagination on your part, to think that you
never have time?
Tjaelde. Oh, well, perhaps I have time but not inclination.
Signe. And how do things stand where you have been?
Tjaelde. Badly.
Valborg (coming forward). Welcome home, father!
Tjaelde. Thank you, dear!
Hamar. Is it not possible to save anything?
Tjaelde. Not at present; that is why I took the horse.
Hamar. Then the bay horse is the only thing you get out of the smash?
Tjaelde. Do you know that I might say that horse has cost me three or
four thousand pounds?
Hamar. Well, that is its only defect, anyway! Still, if the worst comes
to the worst, and you can afford it--the horse is priceless! (TJAELDE
turns away, puts down his hat and coat and takes off his gloves.)
Signe. It is beautiful to see your enthusiasm when you talk about
horses. I rather think it is the only enthusiasm you have.
Hamar. Yes, if I were not a cavalry officer I should like to be a horse!
Signe. Thank you! And what should I be?
Valborg. "Oh, were I but the saddle on thy back! Oh, were I but the whip
about thy loins!"
Hamar. "Oh, were I but the flowers in thy--." No, "hand" doesn't rhyme!
Tjaelde. (coming forward, meets MRS. TJAELDE, who has come in from the
right.) Well, my dear, how are you?
Mrs. Tjaelde. Oh, I find it more and more difficult to get about.
Tjaelde. There is always something the matter with you, my dear! Can I
have something to eat?
Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, it has been standing waiting for you. Here it comes.
(A maid brings in a tray which she lays on the table.)
Tjaelde. Good!
Mrs. Tjaelde. Will you have a cup of tea?
Tjaelde. No, thank you.
Mrs. Tjaelde. (sitting down beside him and pouring him out a glass of
wine). And how have things gone with the Moellers?
Tjaelde. Badly. I told you so already.
Mrs. Tjaelde. I didn't hear you.
Valborg. I had a letter to-day from Nanna Moeller. She tells me all about
it--how none of the family knew anything about it till the officers of
the courts came.
Tjaelde. Yes, there must have been a dreadful scene.
Mrs. Tjaelde. Did he tell you anything about it?
Tjaelde (as he eats). I didn't speak to him.
Mrs. Tjaelde. My dear! Why, you are old friends!
Tjaelde. Bah! Old friends! He sat looking as if he had taken leave of
his senses. Besides, I have had enough of that family. I didn't go there
to hear them talk about their troubles.
Signe. I suppose it was all very sad?
Tjaelde (still eating). Shocking!
Mrs. Tjaelde. What will they have to live on?
Tjaelde. What is allowed them by their creditors, of course.
Signe. But all the things they had?
Tjaelde. Sold.
Signe. All those pretty things--their furniture, their carriages,
their--?
Tjaelde. All sold.
Hamar. And his watch? It is the most beautiful watch I have ever
seen--next to yours.
Tjaelde. It had to go, of course, being jewellery. Give me some wine; I
am hot and thirsty.
Signe. Poor things!
Mrs. Tjaelde. Where are they going to live now?
Tjaelde. In the house of one of the skippers of what was their fleet.
Two small rooms and a kitchen.
Signe. Two small rooms and a kitchen! (A pause.)
Mrs. Tjaelde. What do they intend to do?
Tjaelde. There was a subscription started to enable Mrs. Moeller to get
the job of catering for the Club.
Mrs. Tjaelde. Is the poor woman going to have more cooking to do!
Signe. Did they send no messages to us?
Tjaelde. Of course they did; but I didn't pay any attention to them.
Hamar (who has been standing on the verandah). But Moeller--what did he
say? What did he do?
Tjaelde. I don't know, I tell you.
Valborg (who has been walking up and down the room during the preceding
conversation). He has said and done quite enough already.
Tjaelde (who has at last finished eating and drinking, is struck by her
words). What do you mean by that, Valborg?
Valborg. That if I were his daughter I would never forgive him.
Mrs. Tjaelde. My dear Valborg, don't say such things!
Valborg. I mean it! A man who would bring such shame and misery upon his
family does not deserve any mercy from them.
Mrs. Tjaelde. We are all in need of mercy.
Valborg. In one sense, yes. But what I mean is that I could never give
him my respect or my affection again. He would have wronged me too
cruelly.
Tjaelde (getting up). Wronged you?
Mrs. Tjaelde. Have you finished already, dear?
Tjaelde. Yes.
Mrs. Tjaelde. No more wine?
Tjaelde. I said I had finished. Wronged you? How?
Valborg. Well, I cannot imagine how one could be more cruelly wronged
than to be allowed to assume a position that was nothing but a lie,
to live up to means that had no real existence but were merely a
sham--one's clothes a lie, one's very existence a lie! Suppose I were
the sort of girl that found a certain delight in making use of her
position as a rich man's daughter--in using it to the fullest possible
extent; well, when I discovered that all that my father had given me was
stolen-that all he had made me believe in was a lie--I am sure that then
my anger and my shame would be beyond all bounds!
Mrs. Tjaelde. My child, you have never been tried. You don't know how
such things may happen. You don't really know what you are saying!
Hamar. Well it might do Moeller good if he heard what she says!
Valborg. He has heard it. His daughter said that to him.
Mrs. Tjaelde. His own daughter! Child, child, is that what you write to
each other about? God forgive you both!
Valborg. Oh, He will forgive us, because we speak the truth.
Mrs. Tialde. Child, child!
Tjaelde. You evidently don't understand what business is--success one
day and failure the next.
Valborg. No one will ever persuade me that business is a lottery.
Tjaelde. No, a sound business is not.
Valborg. Exactly. It is the unsound sort that I condemn.
Tjaelde. Still, even the soundest have their anxious moments.
Valborg. If the anxious moments really foreshadow a crisis, no man of
honour would keep his family o: his creditors in ignorance of the fact.
My God, how Mr. Moeller has deceived his!
Signe. Valborg is always talking about business!
Valborg. Yes, it has had an attraction for me ever since I was a child.
I am not ashamed of that.
Signe. You think you know all about it, anyway.
Valborg. Oh, no; but you can easily get to know a little about anything
you are fond of.
Hamar. And one would need no great knowledge of business to condemn the
way Moeller went on. It was obvious to every one. And the way his family
went on, too! Who went the pace as much as the Moellers? Think of his
daughter's toilettes!
Valborg. His daughter is my best friend. I don't want to hear her
abused.
Hamar. Your Highness will admit that it is possible to be the daughter
of a _very_ rich man without being as proud and as vain as--as the lady
I am not allowed to mention!
Valborg. Nanna is neither proud nor vain. She is absolutely genuine.
She had the aptitude for being exactly what she thought she was--a rich
man's daughter.
Hamar. Has she the "aptitude" for being a bankrupt's daughter now?
Valborg. Certainly. She has sold all her trinkets, her dresses--every
single thing she had. What she wears, she has either paid for herself or
obtained by promising future payment.
Hamar. May I ask if she kept her stockings?
Valborg. She sent everything to a sale.
Hamar. If I had known that I would certainly have attended it!
Valborg. Yes, I daresay there was plenty to make fun of, and plenty of
idle loafers, too, who were not ashamed to do so.
Mrs. Tjaelde. Children, children!
Hamar. May I ask if Miss Nanna sent her own idleness to the sale with
her other effects?--because I have never known any one with a finer
supply of it!
Valborg. She never thought she would need to work.
Tjaelde (coming forward to VALBORG). To take up the thread of what we
were saying: you don't understand what a business-man's hope is from one
day to the other--always a renewed hope. That fact does not make him a
swindler. He may be unduly sanguine, perhaps--a poet, if you like, who
lives in a world of dreams--or he may be a real genius, who sees land
ahead when no one else suspects it.
Valborg. I don't think I misunderstand the real state of affairs. But
perhaps you do, father. Because is not what you call hope, poetry,
genius, merely speculating with what belongs to others, when a man knows
that he owes more than he has got?
Tjaelde. It may be very difficult to be certain even whether he does
that or not.
Valborg. Really? I should have thought his books would tell him--
Tjaelde. About his assets and his liabilities, certainly. But values are
fluctuating things; and he may always have in hand some venture which,
though it cannot be specified, may alter the whole situation.
Valborg. If he undeniably owes more than he possesses, any venture he
undertakes must be a speculation with other people's money.
Tjaelde. Well--perhaps that is so; but that does not mean that he steals
the money--he only uses it in trust for them.
Valborg. Entrusted to him on the false supposition that he is solvent.
Tjaelde. But possibly that money may save the whole situation.
Valborg. That does not alter the fact that he has got the use of it by a
lie.
Tjaelde. You use very harsh terms. (MRS. TJAELDE has once or twice been
making signs to VALBORG, which the latter sees but pays no attention
to.)
Valborg. In that case the lie consists in the concealment.
Tjaelde. But what do you want him to do? To lay all his cards on the
table, and so ruin both himself and the others?
Valborg. Yes, he ought to take every one concerned into his confidence.
Tjaelde. Bah! In that case we should see a thousand failures every year,
and fortunes lost one after the other everywhere! No, you have a level
head, Valborg, but your ideas are narrow. Look here, where are the
newspapers? (SIGNE, who has been talking confidentially to HAMAR on the
verandah, comes forward.)
Signe. I took them down to your office. I did not know you meant to stay
in here.
Tjaelde. Oh, bother the office! Please fetch them for me. (SIGNE goes
out, followed by Hamar.)
Mrs. Tjaelde (in an undertone to VALBORG). Why will you never listen to
your mother, Valborg? (VALBORG goes out to the verandah; leans on the
edge of it, with her head on her hands, and looks out.)
Tjaelde. I think I will change my coat. Oh no, I will wait till
dinner-time.
Mrs. Tjaelde. Dinner! And here I am still sitting here!
Tjaelde. Are we expecting any one?
Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, have you forgotten?
Tjaelde. Of course, yes.
Mrs. Tjaelde (going out). What on earth am I to order?
(TJAELDE comes forward as soon as he is alone, sits down on a chair with
a weary, harassed expression, and buries his face in his hands with a
sigh. SIGNE and HAMAR come back, she carrying some newspapers. HAMAR is
going out to the verandah again, but SIGNE pulls him back.)
Signe. Here you are, father. Here are--
Tjaelde. What? Who?
Signe (astonished). The newspapers.
Tjaelde. Ah, yes. Give them to me.(Opens them hurriedly. They are mostly
foreign papers, in which he scans the money articles one after another.)
Signe (after a whispered conversation with HAMAR). Father!
Tjaelde (without looking up from the papers).Well? (To himself,
gloomily.) Down again, always down!
Signe. Hamar and I want so much to go into town again to Aunt Ulla's.
Tjaelde. But you know you were there only a fortnight ago. I received
your bills yesterday. Have you seen them?
Signe. No need for that, father, if _you_ have seen them! Why do you
sigh?
Tjaelde. Oh--because I see that stocks keep falling.
Signe. Pooh! Why should you bother about that? Now you are sighing
again. I am sure you know how horrid it is for those you love not to
have what they want. You won't be so unkind to us, father?
Tjaelde. No, my child, it can't be done.
Signe. Why?
Tjaelde. Because--because--well, because now that it is summer time so
many people will be coming here whom we shall have to entertain.
Signe. But entertaining people is the most tiresome thing I know, and
Hamar agrees with me.
Tjaelde. Don't you think I have to do tiresome things sometimes, my
girl?
Signe. Father dear, why are you talking so solemnly and ceremoniously?
It sounds quite funny from you!
Tjaelde. Seriously, my child, it is by no means an unimportant matter
for a big business house like ours, with such a wide-spread connection,
that people coming here from all quarters should find themselves
hospitably received. You might do that much for me.
Signe. Hamar and I will never have a moment alone at that rate.
Tjaelde. I think you mostly squabble when you are alone.
Signe. Squabble? That is a very ugly word, father.
Tjaelde. Besides, you would be no more alone if you were in town.
Signe. Oh, but it is quite different there!
Tjaelde. So I should think--from the way you throw your money about!
Signe (laughing). Throw our money about! What else have we to do? Isn't
that what we are for? Daddy, listen--dear old dad--
Tjaelde. No, dear--no.
Signe. You have never been so horrid to me before.
Hamar (who has been making signs to her to stop, whispers). Can't you be
quiet! Don't you see he is put out about something?
Signe (whispering). Well, you might have backed me up a little.
Hamar (as before). No, I am a bit wiser than you.
Signe (as before). You have been so odd lately. I am sure I don't know
what you want?
Hamar (as before). Oh, well, it doesn't matter now--because I am going
to town alone.
Signe (as before). What are you going to do?
Hamar (going). I am going to town alone. I am sick of this!
Signe (following him). Just you try! (Both go out by the verandah, to
the right. TJAELDE lets the newspapers fall out of his hands with a
heavy sigh.)
Valborg (looking in from the verandah). Father! (TJAELDE starts.) There
goes Mr. Berent, the lawyer from Christiania.
Tjaelde (getting up). Berent? Where? On the wharf?
Valborg. Yes. (Comes back into the room. TJAELDE looks out of the
window.) The reason I told you was because I saw him yesterday at the
timber-yard, and a little while before that, at the brewery and at the
works.
Tjaelde (to himself). What can that mean? (Aloud.) Oh, I know he is very
fond of making little trips to all sorts of places in the summer. This
year he has come here--and no doubt he likes to see the chief industries
of the place. There is not much else here to see! But are you sure it is
he? I think--
Valborg (looking out). Yes, it is he. Look now, you know his walk--
Tjaelde.--and his trick of crossing his feet--yes, it is he. It looks as
if he were coming here.
Valborg. No, he has turned away.
Tjaelde. All the better! (To himself, thoughtfully.) Could it possibly
mean--? (SANNAES comes in from the right.)
Sannaes. Am I disturbing you, sir?
Tjaelde. Is that you, Sannaes? (SANNAES, as he comes forward, sees
VALBORG standing by the farther window. He appears frightened and hides
his hands quickly behind his back.) What do you want? (VALBORG looks at
SANNAES, then goes on to the verandah and out to the right.) What is it,
man? What the deuce are you standing there for?
Sannaes (bringing his hands from behind his back as soon as VALBORG has
passed him, and looking after her.) I didn't like to ask you, before
Miss Valborg, whether you are coming down to your office to-day or not.
Tjaelde. Have you gone mad? Why on earth shouldn't you ask me that
before Miss Valborg?
Sannaes. I mean that--if not--I should like to speak to you here, if it
is convenient.
Tjaelde. Look here, Sannaes, you ought to try and get rid of your
shyness; it doesn't suit a business man. A business man should be smart
and active, and not let his wits go wool-gathering because he finds
himself in the same room with a woman. I have often noticed it in
you.--Now, what is it? Out with it!
Sannaes. You are not coming to the office this morning, sir?
Tjaelde. No, there is no post goes out before this evening.
Sannaes. No. But there are some bills of exchange--
Tjaelde. Bills? No.
Sannaes. Yes, sir--that fourth one of Moeller's that was protested, and
the big English one.
Tjaelde (angrily). Have they not been met yet? What does this mean?
Sannaes. The manager of the bank wanted to see you first, sir!
Tjaelde. Have you gone crazy--? (Collects himself.) There must be some
misunderstanding, Sannaes.
Sannaes. That is what I thought; so I spoke about it to the chief clerk,
and to Mr. Holst as well.
Tjaelde. And Mr. Holst said--?
Sannaes. The same thing.
Tjaelde (walking up and down). I will go and see him--or rather, I
_won't_ go and see him; because this is evidently something that--. We
have some days' grace yet, haven't we?
Sannaes. Yes, sir.
Tjaelde. And still no telegram from Mr. Lind?
Sannaes. No, sir.
Tjaelde (to himself). I can't understand it. (Aloud.) We will negotiate
this matter direct with Christiania, Sannaes. That is what we will
do--and leave these little local banks alone in future. That will do,
Sannaes! (Makes a gesture of dismissal. Then says to himself:) That
damned Moeller! It has made them all suspicious! (Turns round and sees
SANNAES still there.) What are you waiting for?
Sannaes. It is settling day--and I have no money in the safe.
Tjaelde. No money in the safe! A big business like this, and nothing in
the safe on settling day! What kind of management is that, I should like
to know? Must I teach you the A B C of business over and over again? One
can never take a half day off, or hand over the control! of the tiniest
part of the business--! I have no one, absolutely no one, that I can
rely on! How have you let things get into such a state?
Sannaes. Well, there was a third bill, which expired to-day--Holm and
Co., for L400. I had relied upon the bank, unfortunately--so there was
nothing for it but to empty the safe--here and at the brewery as well.
Tjaelde (walking about restlessly). Hm--hm--hm!--Now, who can have put
that into Holst's head?--Very well, that will do. (Dismisses SANNAES,
who goes out but comes back immediately.)
Sannaes (whispering). Here is Mr. Berent!
Tjaelde (surprised). Coming here?
Sannaes. He is just coming up the steps! (Goes out by the further door
on the right.)
Tjaelde. (calls after him in a whisper). Send up some wine and
cakes!--It is just as I suspected! (Catches sight of himself in a
mirror.) Good Lord, how bad I look! (Turns away painfully from the
mirror; looks in it again, forces a smile to his face, and so, smiling,
goes towards the verandah, where BERENT is seen coming in slowly from
the left.)
Tjaelde (greeting BERENT politely but with reserve). I feel honoured at
receiving a visit from so distinguished a man.
Berent. Mr. Tjaelde, I believe?
Tjaelde. At your service! My eldest daughter has just been telling me
that she had seen you walking about my property.
Berent. Yes; an extensive property--and an extensive business.
Tjaelde. Too extensive, Mr. Berent. Too many-sided. But one thing has
led to another. Pray sit down.
Berent. Thank you; it is very warm to-day. (A maid brings in cakes and
wine, and puts them on the table.)
Tjaelde. Let me give you a glass of wine?
Berent. No, thank you.
Tjaelde. Or something to eat?
Berent. Nothing, thank you.
Tjaelde (taking out his cigar-case). May I offer you a cigar? I can
answer for their quality.
Berent. I am very fond of a good cigar. But for the moment I will not
take anything, thank you! (A pause. TJAELDE takes a seat.)
Tjaelde (in a quiet, confidential voice). Have you been long here, Mr.
Berent?
Berent. Only a day or two. You have been away, have you not?
Tjaelde. Yes--that unhappy affair of Mr. Moeller's. A meeting of
creditors after the sale.
Berent. Times are hard just now.
Tjaelde. Extraordinarily so!
Berent. Do you think that Moeller's failure will bring down any more
firms with it-besides those we know of already, I mean?
Tjaelde. I don't think so. His--his misfortune was an exceptional case
in every respect.
Berent. It has made the banks a little nervous, I hear.
Tjaelde. I dare say.
Berent. Of course you know the state of affairs here better than any
one.
Tjaelde. (with a smile). I am very much indebted to you for your
flattering confidence in me.
Berent. I suppose all this might have a bad effect upon the export trade
of this part of the country?
Tjaelde. Yes--it is really hard to tell; but the important thing
certainly is to keep every one on their legs.
Berent. That is your opinion?
Tjaelde. Undoubtedly.
Berent. As a general rule a crisis of this sort shows up the unsound
elements in a commercial community.
Tjaelde (with a smile). And for that reason this crisis should be
allowed to take its natural course, you mean?
Berent. That is my meaning.
Tjaelde. Hm!--In some places it is possible that the dividing line
between the sound firms and the unsound may not be very distinct.
Berent. Can there really be any danger of such a thing here?
Tjaelde. Well--you are expecting too much of my knowledge of affairs;
but I should be inclined to think that there may. (A pause.)
Berent. I have been instructed by the banks to prepare an opinion upon
the situation--a fact which I have, so far, only confided to you.
Tjaelde. I am much obliged.
Berent. The smaller local banks here have combined, and are acting in
concert.
Tjaelde. Indeed? (A pause.) I suppose you have seen Mr. Holst, then?
Berent. Of course. (A pause.) If we are to assist the sound firms and
leave the others to their fate, the best way will certainly be for all
alike to disclose their actual position.
Tjaelde. Is that Mr. Holst's opinion too?
Berent. It is. (A pause.) I have advised him for the present--at all
events till we have all the balance-sheets--to say "no" to every request
for an advance, without exception.
Tjaelde. (with a look of relief). I understand!
Berent. Only a temporary measure, of course--
Tjaelde. Quite so!
Berent.--but one that must apply to every one impartially.
Tjaelde. Admirable!
Berent. Not to treat every one alike would be to run the danger of
throwing premature suspicion on individuals.
Tjaelde. I quite agree.
Berent. I am delighted to hear it. Then you will not misunderstand me
if I ask you also to prepare a balance-sheet which shall show the actual
position of your firm.
Tjaelde. With the greatest pleasure, if by doing so I can assist the
general welfare.
Berent. I assure you, you can. It is by such means that public
confidence is strengthened.
Tjaelde. When do you want the balance-sheet? Of course, it can only be a
summary one.
Berent. Naturally. I will give myself the pleasure of calling for it.
Tjaelde. By no means. I can let you have it at once, if you like. I am
in the habit of frequently drawing up summary balance-sheets of that
kind--as prices rise and fall, you know.
Berent. Indeed? (Smiles.) You know, of course, what they say of
swindlers--that they draw up three balance-sheets everyday, and all
different! But you are teaching me, apparently--
Tjaelde (laughing).--that others too, may have that bad habit!--though I
haven't actually got as far as three a day!
Berent. Of course I was only joking. (Gets up.)
Tjaelde (getting up). Of course. I will send it to the hotel in an
hour's time; for I suppose you are staying in our only so-called hotel!
Would you not care, for the rest of your stay, to move your things over
here and make yourself at home in a couple of empty spare rooms that I
have?
Bercnt. Thank you, but the length of my stay is so uncertain; and the
state of my health imposes habits upon me which are embarrassing to
every one, and to myself most of all, when I am among strangers.
Tjaelde. But at all events I hope you will dine with us to-day? I expect
one or two friends. And perhaps a short sail afterwards; it is very
pretty among the islands here.
Berent. Thank you, but my health won't allow me such dissipations.
Tjaelde. Ha, ha!--Well, if I can be of any further service to you--?
Berent. I should be glad to have a talk with you before I leave,
preferably as soon as possible.
Tjaelde (somewhat surprised). You mean, after you have received all the
balance-sheets?
Berent. I have already managed to get most of them quietly, through Mr.
Holst.
Tjaelde (more surprised). Oh--so you mean to-day--?
Berent. Would five o'clock suit you?
Tjaelde. I am quite at your disposal! I will give myself the pleasure of
calling upon you at five.
Berent. No, I will come here at five o'clock. (Bows, and turns to go.)
Tjaelde (following him). But you are the invalid--the older man--and a
distinguished man--
Berent. But you are at home here. Good-bye!
Tjaelde. Let me thank you for the honour you have done me by calling
upon me!
Berent. Please don't bother to see me out.
Tjaelde. Allow me to escort you?
Berent. I can find the way quite well, thank you.
Tjaelde. No doubt, no doubt-but I should feel it an honour!
Berent. As you please! (As they are about to go down the verandah steps
they are met by SIGNE and HAMAR, who are coming up arm in arm. Each
couple draws aside to make room for the other.)
Tjaelde. Let me introduce--no, I am sure Mr. Berent needs no
introduction. This is my youngest daughter--and her fiance, Lieutenant
Hamar.
Berent. I thought your regiment was at the manoeuvres, Lieutenant?
Hamar. I have got furlough--
Berent. On account of urgent business, no doubt! Good day!
Tjaelde. Ha, ha, ha! (He and BERENT go down the steps.)
Hamar. Insolent fellow! But he is like that to every one.
Signe. Not to my father, as far as I could see.
Hamar. Your father is insolent too.
Signe. You shan't say such things of father!
Hamar. What else do you call it, to laugh at such impertinence as
Berent's.
Signe. I call it good spirits! (Sits down in a rocking-chair and begins
rocking herself.)
Hamar. Oh, then, so you--. You are not very agreeable to-day.
Signe (still rocking herself). No; do you know, sometimes I get so bored
with you.
Hamar. Yet you won't let me go away?
Signe. Because I should be still worse bored without you.
Hamar. Let me tell you this, I am not going to put up much longer with
the way I am treated here!
Signe. Very well. (Takes off her engagement ring and holds it between
her finger and her thumb, as she rocks herself and hums a tune.)
Hamar. Oh, I don't say anything about _you_; but look at Valborg! Look
at your father! He hasn't even as much as offered me a mount on his new
horse!
Signe. He has had something else to think about--possibly something even
more important than that. (Goes on humming.)
Hamar. Oh, do be nice, Signe! You must admit that my feelings are very
natural. Indeed, to speak quite candidly--because I know I can say
anything to you--it seems to me that, as I am to be his son-in-law and
am in a cavalry regiment, and as he has no sons of his own, I might
almost expect that--that he would make me a present of the horse.
Signe. Ha, ha, ha!
Hamar. Does it seem so unreasonable to you?
Signe. Ha, ha, ha!
Hamar. Why do you laugh at what I say, Signe? It seems to me that it
would reflect very well on your family if, when my friends admired my
horse, I could say: "My father-in-law made me a present of it." Because,
you know, there isn't a finer horse in the whole of Norway.
Signe. And that is the reason why you should have it? Ha, ha, ha!
Hamar. I won't stand it!
Signe. The peerless lieutenant on the peerless horse! Ha, ha, ha!
Hamar. Signe, be quiet!
Signe. You are so funny! (Begins to hum again.)
Hamar. Listen, Signe! No one has so much influence with your father as
you.--Oh, do listen! Can't you talk seriously for a moment?
Signe. I should like to! (Goes on humming.)
Hamar. My idea was that, if that horse were mine, I would stay here for
the summer and break it in thoroughly. (SIGNE stops rocking herself and
humming. HAMAR comes up to her chair and leans over her.) In that case
I would not go back till the autumn, and then you could come with the
horse and me into town. Wouldn't that be delightful?
Signe (after looking at him for a moment). Oh, yes, my dear, you always
have such delightful ideas!
Hamar. Don't I! But the whole thing depends, of course, on whether you
can get the horse from your father. Will you try, darling?
Signe. And then you would stay here all the summer?
Hamar. All the summer!
Signe. So as to break in the horse.
Hamar. Just to break in the horse!
Signe. And I would go with you into town in the autumn--that was what
you said, wasn't it?
Hamar. Yes; wouldn't it be jolly?
Signe. Shall you take the bay horse to stay with your Aunt Ulla too?
Hamar (laughing). What?
Signe. Well, you have spent your furlough here simply for the sake of
that horse--I know that well enough--and you propose to stay here, just
to break it in-and then you propose that the horse and I should go to
your aunt's--
Hamar. But, Signe, what do you--?
Signe (beginning to rock herself furiously). Ugh! Go away!
Hamar. Jealous of a horse! Ha, ha, ha!
Signe. Go away to the stables.
Hamar. Is that meant for a punishment? Because it would be more amusing
there than it is here.
Signe (throwing down her ring). There! Let your horse wear that!
Hamar. Every time you throw down that ring--
Signe. Oh, you have said that so often! I am tired of that too! (Turns
her chair round so as to turn her back on him.)
Hamar. You are such a spoilt child that it would be absurd to take
everything you say seriously--
Signe. I am sick of that too, I tell you--for the hundred and twentieth
time! Go away!
Hamar. But can't you see how ridiculous it is of you to be jealous of a
horse? Have you ever heard of anyone else behaving like that?
Signe (jumping up). Oh, you make me want to shout and scream! I feel so
ashamed of you! (Stamps her foot.) I despise you!
Hamar (laughing). And all on account of the horse?
Signe. No, on your own account--yours, yours! I feel so miserable
sometimes, I should like to throw myself down on the floor and cry--or
run away and never come back! Can't you let me alone! Can't you go away!
Hamar. Yes--and I have not picked up the ring this time, either!
Signe. Oh, do go!--go, go, go! (Bursts out crying and sits down.)
Hamar. All right!--I see the steamer in the distance; I shall go home at
once.
Signe. Oh, you know as well as I do that that steamer goes the other
way! Oh! (Cries. The masts and funnel of a steamer come into sight, and
a trail of smoke passes over the sky. TJAELDE'S voice is heard outside,
calling: "Hurry up! Take the lieutenant's boat; it is ready!" SIGNE
jumps up.)
Hamar. They are going to fetch some one from the steamer! (TJAELDE'S
voice is heard again: "You get the boat out! He is coming here!" HAMAR
runs to pick up the ring and comes back hurriedly to SIGNE.) Signe!
Signe. No, I won't!
Hamar. Signe, dear! What does this mean? What is it that I have done?
Signe. I don't know, but I am wretchedly unhappy! (Bursts into tears.)
Hamar. But you know that in the end I always do what you want? What more
can you wish than that?
Signe. I can't help it, I wish I were dead! It is always the same thing!
(In tears again.)
Hamar. But, Signe--you who have told me hundreds of times that you loved
me!
Signe. And so I do. But sometimes our engagement seems horrible!--No,
don't come near me!
Hamar. Signe! (TJAELDE'S voice is heard outside: "Of course, put your
best coat on!" He calls louder: "Sannaes!" An answering voice is heard
in the distance. TJAELDE continues: "Don't forget your gloves!") Dry
your eyes, Signe! Don't let him see you have been crying. (He tries to
give her the ring, but she turns away, wiping her eyes. TJAELDE comes up
the steps on to the verandah.)
Tjaelde. Oh, there you are! That's right. Mr. Lind is arriving by
this steamer--I had a telegram from him just now. (Calls out over the
verandah.) Come along with those flags! And get this boat out of the way
and unstep her mast! She is moored up tight! (HAMAR runs to help him.)
Yes, you cast her off! (HAMAR does so, and the boat is hauled away to
the right. TJAELDE comes forward into the room.) Signe! (Looks at her.)
What? Squabbling again?
Signe. Father!
Tjaelde. Well, this is no time for tomfoolery of that sort! You must all
do the honours of the house to-day. Tell Valborg--
Signe. Tell her yourself, please! You know Valborg only does just what
she likes.
Tjaelde. Don't talk such rubbish! This is an important moment--and you
will all do as _I_ say! Tell Valborg that she is to make herself look
nice and come to me here. And you do the same. (She goes.) Signe!
Signe (stopping). Yes?
Tjaelde. We must ask five or six more people to dinner. You must send
word to Mr. Finne that we shall dine punctually at three o'clock,
instead of four. Mr. Lind has to go away again by the next boat, at five
o'clock. Do you understand?
Signe. But has mother enough in the house for so many?
Tjaelde. It is not a mere question of there being enough--it must be a
very good dinner. I expect my larder to be kept thoroughly well stocked
all through the summer. How often am I to repeat that?
Signe (trying to repress her fears). But mother is feeling so ill
to-day--
Tjaelde. Oh! don't begin about that everlasting "feeling ill." There
is no time to-day to feel ill. Now, be quick! (SIGNE goes out by the
farther door. TJAELDE turns to HAMAR.) Get a pen and ink and some paper!
We must draw up a list of guests, at once!
Hamar (looking about). There is none here.
Tjaelde (impatiently). Fetch some, then! (HAMAR goes into the next room.
TJAELDE, after a long sigh of relief, reads a telegram he has in his
hand. His hand trembles as he reads it slowly, repeating some passages
twice.) "Letter received just as starting. Before taking charge of
affairs, must have interview. Coming to-day earliest boat, return five
o'clock. Have clear statement ready. Lind." I can hardly read it--but it
is true! Yes, if I can only work this properly all doors will be open to
me! (To HAMAR, who has come back.) Ah, there you are! It would take too
long to write invitations. We will just draw up a list of names and
one of my clerks shall run round to them all. Now then! (Dictates.) The
Vicar--Oh, by the way, what is the champagne like?
Hamar. Do you mean the new lot?
Tjaelde. Yes.
Hamar. The Vicar praised it highly.
Tjaelde. Good. Well, then--
Hamar (writing). The Vicar.
Tjzlde. Mr. Ring.
Hamar. Mr. Ring.
Tjaelde. And--and--
Hamar. Mr. Holst?
Tjaelde. No, not Holst. (HAMAR appears greatly astonished. TJAELDE says
to himself:) I can show him now that I have no need of him! (Suddenly,
to HAMAR.) Mr. Holm. (To himself.) Holst's enemy!
Hamar. Mr. Holm.
Tjaelde (to himself). Although Holm is a boor. Still, it will annoy
Holst. (Aloud.) The Chief Constable.
Hamar. The Chief--
Tjaelde. No, strike out the Chief Constable.
Hamar. Chief Constable struck out.
Tjaelde. Have we got the Vicar down?
Hamar. He is number one on the list.
Tjaelde. Of course, yes.
Hamar. What about the Magistrate?
Tjaelde. No, he lives too far off. Besides, unless he is the guest
of honour and can talk shop all the time--. No! But, let me see. Mr.
Knutzon--Knutzon with a "z."
Hamar. Knutzon with a "z."
Tjaelde. Oh!--and--Knudsen, too! Knudsen with an "s."
Hamar. Knudsen with an "s."
Tjaelde. How many have we got?
Hamar. The Vicar, Ring, Holm, the Chief--oh, no, the Chief Constable was
struck out; Knutzon with a "z," Knudsen with an "s "--that is one, two,
three, four, five, six.
Tjaelde. And Finne, you, and I make nine. We must have twelve.
Hamar. What about some ladies?
Tjaelde. No; ladies are out of place at a business dinner. They may do
the honours afterwards, when we have got to the cigarette stage. But
whom shall we--?
Hamar. That new lawyer fellow? He's a smart chap--I can't remember his
name?
Tjaelde. No, he always wants to be speechifying wherever he goes.--Ah,
Mr. Pram, the custom-house officer!
Hamar. That man? He always gets drunk!
Tjaelde. Yes, but he doesn't get noisy with it. He does no harm--quite
the contrary! Yes, put down Pram.
Hamar. Mr. Pram.
Tjaelde. It is a very difficult task, in such a small town, when you
want to get a good set of people together. Ah!--Falbe! I forgot him. He
is very neat, and no opinions.
Hamar. Neat in his dress, do you mean?
Tjaelde. Yes, in his dress too-but I meant it more generally. Now, for
the twelfth--Morten Schultz?
Hamar. Morten Schultz! (Gets up.) No, really, I must take the liberty of
protesting against him! Do you really know what he did the last time he
was here, when you had a lot of guests? In the middle of dinner he took
out his false teeth and began showing them to his neighbours. He wanted
to have them passed round the table! If that is your idea of a good set
of people--well!
Tjaelde. Yes, he is rather a rough diamond. But he is the richest man
about here.
Hamar (who has sat down again). Well in that case he really ought to
afford himself a new wig! It is far from pleasant to sit beside him, I
can assure you!
Tjaelde. Yes, I know he is a pig; but he is wide awake, and this would
flatter him! You see, my young friend, when a man is very rich you must
make certain allowances for him.
Hamar. I can't understand what _you_ can hope to get out of him.
Tjaelde. Hm, hm!--No, well, perhaps we had better leave him out?
Hamar. Certainly!
Tjaelde (to himself). Although Lind would understand the significance of
Morten Schultz's being here--
Hamar. And the things he says! Ladies have to leave the room!
Tjaelde. Yes, you are right. (Mutters to himself.) And, after all, I
don't need him any longer. (Aloud.) But what about our twelfth, then?
Let me see--.
Hamar. Christopher Hansen?
Tjaelde. Oh, Lord! no. We should have to talk politics. No, let
me see--. Yes, I think I might risk it! Hm, hm--yes, just the man!
Jakobsen, the brewery manager.
Hamar. Jakobsen?
Tjaelde. Hm, hm! Jakobsen will do very well. I know Jakobsen.
Hamar. Oh, he is a very good fellow--we all know that, but in polite
society--!
Tjaelde. Hm, hm, hm!--Put him down!
Hamar (writing). Jakobsen. There, then! (Gets up.)
Tjaelde. Now let Skogstad go with the list! Remember, three o'clock
punctually! And be quick! (Calls after HAMAR, who is going out.) And
come back when you have given him the list! There may be something more
to do! (HAMAR goes out by the nearer door. TJAELDE takes a letter out of
his pocket.) Ah, of course! Shall I send the balance-sheet to Berent?
I am independent of the banks now. Still, I am not out of the wood yet.
And, anyway, it is a very pretty balance-sheet! Holst would be sure to
see it, and that might be useful--and it might annoy him, too. Besides,
if I don't send it, they will think that my promising to send it had put
me into a hole, and that Lind had helped me out of it. I risk least by
sending it. (HAMAR comes back.) Look here, let him take this letter,
too. It is for Mr. Berent, at the Hotel Victoria.
Hamar. Is this an invitation? Because, if it is, we shall be thirteen at
table.
Tjaelde. It is not an invitation. Be quick, before he goes. (HAMAR goes
out again.) Oh, if only it succeeds! Lind is the sort of man one can
persuade--and I must, I must persuade him! (Looks at his watch.) I have
four whole hours to do it in. I have never felt so hopeful--not for a
long time. (Is lost in thought; then says quietly:) After all, sometimes
a crisis is a good thing--like a big wave that carries one on!--They
have all had their suspicions aroused now, and are all ready to get
into a panic. (Sighs.) If only I could get safely out of my difficulties
without any one's suspecting it!--Oh, this anxious fear, night and
day!--all this mystery, these shifts, these concealments, this farce
I have to keep up! I go about my business as if I were in a dream.
(Despairingly.) This shall be the last time--my last performance of this
sort! No more of it!--I only need a helping hand now, and I have got it!
But _have_ I got it? that is the question. Oh! if only, after this, I
could know what it was to have a good night's sleep and to wake in
the morning free from anxiety!--to join them at meals with an easy
conscience!--come home in the evening and feel that it was all done
with! If only I had something to take my stand upon that I could call my
own--really and truly my own! I hardly dare to believe that there is a
chance--I have so often been disappointed! (HAMAR comes back.)
Hamar. There--that's done!
Tjaelde. Good Lord, what about a salute from our cannon? We must give
him a salute!
Hamar. We have powder.
Tjaelde. Then send word up at once to Ole to see about it! (They hurry
out. The curtain falls.)
ACT II
SCENE I
(SCENE.--The same room. The table, which has been drawn to one side, is
covered with bottles of champagne aged dishes of fruit. MRS. TJAELDE and
SIGNE, with a man-servant and a maid, are busy preparing it. Through
the door on the right a lively conversation can be heard, and occasional
bursts of laughter.)
Mrs. Tjaelde (in a tired voice). Now I think it is all ready.
Signe. They are talking a long time over their dinner.
Mrs. Tjaelde (looking at her watch). Yes, they will only have half an
hour for their dessert, because Mr. Lind has to leave at five o'clock.
Signe. Ah, they have finished at last! Listen, they are getting up from
the table. (Amidst the loud noise of conversation the noise of chairs
being pushed back is audible.) Here they come!
Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes; let us retreat. (The maid goes out by the farther
door; SIGNE helps MRS. TJAELDE out after her. The man-servant begins
opening the champagne. The guests come in from the dining-room, headed
by LIND escorted by TJAELDE, whom he is assuring that the dinner was
excellent, to which TJAELDE replies that it is impossible to do much in
a small country town. Both look at their watches, and observe that there
is only half an hour left. TJAELDE vainly endeavours to persuade LIND
to stay longer. Close behind them come HOLM and RING, engaged in an
animated dispute about timber prices, the former maintaining that they
will fall still lower, the latter that they will rise speedily owing
to the fall in the prices of coal and iron, a point of view which the
former vigorously controverts. Immediately behind them comes the VICAR,
escorted by HAMAR, who is a little tipsy. The VICAR is assuring him that
he has no objection to parishioners repudiating the obligation to attend
the services of their own priest, so long as they are compelled to pay
him for those services whether they avail themselves of them or not;
because order, which is an essential characteristic of the Heavenly
Kingdom, must be maintained. HAMAR tries to get in a word or two about
the bay horse, but without success. At the same time KNUTZON and FALBE
are deep in a discussion about a dancer whom FALBE has seen at Hamburg.
He is maintaining that she can leap six feet into the air, which KNUTZON
ventures to doubt, but FALBE says there is no doubt about it, and he
knows because he has once sat at the same dinner-table with her. FINNE,
KNUDSEN, and JAKOBSEN follow them. JAKOBSEN is heard challenging any one
to contradict him, while the others eagerly protest that he has entirely
misunderstood their meaning. He affirms stoutly that he doesn't care a
damn what they meant, but that his employer is the greatest business
man and the finest fellow in the world, or at all events in Norway. PRAM
comes in by himself, wrapt in tipsy contemplation. They all talk at the
same time.)
Tjaelde (rapping on a glass). Gentlemen! (There is a sudden silence,
except for the sound of the voices of FALBE and JAKOBSEN, who are hushed
down by the others.) Gentlemen! I am sorry dinner has occupied such a
long time.
All (unanimously). No, no!
Tjaelde. Our distinguished guest has, unfortunately, to leave us in half
an hour, so I should like to take the opportunity of saying a few words.
Gentlemen, we have a prince among us to-day. I say a prince, because
if it is true that it is the financiers that rule the world--and it is
true, gentlemen--
Pram (who is standing well forward, supporting himself by the edge of
the table, says solemnly:) Yes.
Tjaelde.--then our friend here is a prince! There is not a single
important undertaking that he has not initiated, or at any rate backed
with his name.
Pram (lifting his glass). Mr. Lind, may I have the honour--?
Voices. Sh! Sh!
Tjaelde. Yes, gentlemen, his name backs every enterprise. It would be
impossible to carry one through that had not his backing.
Pram (solemnly). His backing.
Tjaelde. Am I not right, then, in describing him as a prince?
Falbe (in a feeble voice). Yes.
Tjaelde. Gentlemen, to-day his name is once more exercising its
powerful, I might say its creative, influence upon circumstances. I may
say that at this moment the country holds no truer benefactor than he.
Pram. Great man.
Tjaelde. Let us drink his health! May prosperity attend him and his, and
may his name be deathless in Norway! Mr. Lind!
All. Mr. Lind! Mr. Lind! (They all drink his health effusively.)
Tjaelde (to HAMAR, whom he pulls forward somewhat roughly, as the others
begin to help themselves to the dessert.) What has become of the salute?
Hamar (in consternation).Good Lord, yes! (Rushes to the window, but
comes back.) I have no handkerchief. I must have laid it down in the
dining-room.
Tjaelde. Here is mine!(Feels in his pocket for it.) One cannot rely
on you for the least thing. The salute will be too late now. It is
disgraceful! (HAMAR goes to the window and waves the handkerchief madly.
At last the report of a cannon is heard. The guests are standing in a
group, holding their dessert plates.)
Holm. A little bit late!
Knutzon. Rather behind the moment--
Ring. A very important moment, however!
Holm. A very unexpected one, anyway!
Knutzon (jestingly). Allow me, amidst the cannon's roar, to introduce to
you a man who has been led by the nose!
Ring. Oh, Tjaelde knows what he is about!
Tjaelde. Mr. Lind is kind enough to wish to propose a toast. (They all
compose themselves into respectful silence.)
Lind. Our worthy host has proposed my health in most flattering terms.
I would merely add this, that wealth is entrusted to those who have it
precisely in order that they may support industry, genius, and great
undertakings.
Pram (who has never changed his position). Nobly said.
Lind. I am only an administrator of a trust, and too often a weak and
short-sighted one.
Pram. Beautiful.
Lind. But I shall not be mistaken if I say that Mr. Tjaelde's many-sided
activities, which we must all admire, rest upon a sound foundation; and
of that fact no one, at the present moment, is better able to judge than
I. (The guests look at one another in surprise.) Therefore I have no
hesitation in saying that his activities are an honour to this town, to
this district, to our whole country, and that therefore his genius and
his energy deserve support. I propose the toast of "prosperity to the
firm of Tjaelde!"
All. Prosperity to the firm of Tjaelde!
(HAMAR signals again with the handkerchief, and a cannon shot is heard.)
Tjaelde. I thank you heartily, Mr. Lind! I am profoundly touched.
Lind. I said no more than I am convinced of, Mr. Tjaelde!!
Tjaelde. Thank you! (To HAMAR.) What do you mean by signalling for a
salute for the host? Blockhead!
Hamar. You said there was to be a salute when a toast was proposed,
didn't you?
Tjaelde. Oh, you are a--!
Hamar (to himself). Well, if ever again I--!
Holm. Then it is an accomplished fact, I suppose?
Knutzon. _Fait accompli_! That toast represents twenty thousand pounds,
at least.
Ring. Yes, Tjaelde knows what he is about! I have always said that!
(FALBE is seen drinking ceremoniously with LIND. JAKOBSEN comes forward,
talking to KNUDSEN.)
Jakobsen (in a low voice). There isn't a word of truth in what you say!
Knudsen. But, my dear Jakobsen, you misunderstand me!
Jakobsen (louder). Hang it, I know my people!
Knudsen. Don't talk so loud!
Jakobsen (still louder). What I say any one may hear!
Tjaelde. (at the same moment). The Vicar wishes to say a few words.
Knudsen (to JAKOBSEN). Hush! The Vicar wishes to say a few words.
Jakobsen. Have I got to hush because that damned--
Tjaelde (in a voice of authority). The Vicar wishes to speak.
Jakobsen. I beg your pardon!
The Vicar (in a feeble voice). As the spiritual adviser of this
household, I have the pleasing duty of invoking a blessing on the gifts
that have been so richly showered upon our host and his friends. May
they be to their souls' present good and eternal welfare!
Pram. Amen.
The Vicar. I am going to ask you to drink the health of our host's dear
children--those lovely girls whose welfare has been the object of my
prayers ever since they were confirmed--ever since that memorable day
when household and religious duties began to walk side by side.
Pram. Ah, yes!
The Vicar. May they always in the future, as they have in the past,
grow in the holy fear of God and in meekness and gratitude towards their
parents!
All. Miss Valborg, Miss Signe!
Hamar (in a panic). Am I to signal?
Tjaelde. Oh, go to--!
Hamar. Well, if ever again--!
Tjaelde. Thank you very much, Mr. Vicar. Like you, I hope that the
intimate relations between parent and child that exist here--
The Vicar. It has always been a pleasure to me to come into your most
hospitable house.
Tjaelde. May I have the honour of drinking a glass of wine with you?
(They drink to each other.)
The Vicar. Excellent champagne, my dear sir!
Lind (to HOLM). It pains me to hear what you say. Is it possible that
this town, which owes so much to Mr. Tjaelde, repays him with such
ingratitude?
Holm (in a low voice). One never can quite confidently rely on him.
Lind. Really? I have heard others sing his praises so loudly, you know.
Holm (as before). You misunderstand me. I mean his position--
Lind. His position? That must be merely envy! People are often so unjust
towards those whose enterprise has lifted them above the heads of the
crowd.
Holm. At any rate I assure you it was not from--
Lind (coldly). I don't doubt it. (Walks away from him.)
Jakobsen (with whom TJAELDE has just drunk). Gentlemen!
Knutzon (to HOLM, in passing). Is that boor really going to be allowed
to make a speech! (Going up to LIND.) May I have the honour of drinking
a glass of wine with you, Mr. Lind? (Several of the guests begin to
talk, ostentatiously indifferent to JAKOBSEN who is trying to begin his
speech.)
Jakobsen (in a formidable voice). Gentlemen! (Silence ensues, and he
continues in his usual voice.) Permit a common man to say a word, too,
on this festive occasion. I was a poor little boy when I entered Mr.
Tjaelde's employment; but he pulled me out of the gutter. (Laughter.) I
am-what I am, gentlemen! And therefore if any here is qualified to talk
about Mr. Tjaelde, it is I; because I know him. I know he is a fine
fellow.
Lind (to TJAELDE). Children and drunken men--
Tjaelde (laughing).--speak the truth!
Jakobsen. There are lots of people that will tell you one thing or
another about him--and, of course, he may have his failings like all of
us. But as I find myself in such fine company as this I am going to say
that--that--devil take me if Mr. Tjaelde isn't too good for the lot of
you! (Laughter.)
Tjaelde. That's enough, Jakobsen!
Jakobsen. No, it's not enough! Because there is one toast we have all
forgotten, although we have all had such a splendid dinner. (Laughter.
FALBE claps his hands and cries: "Bravo!") Yes, and it is nothing to
laugh at; because it is the toast of Mrs. Tjaelde's health that we have
not drunk!
Lind. Bravo!
Jakobsen. There's a wife and mother for you! I can tell you--and it's
true--she goes about the house attending to her duties and preparing for
our entertainment when all the time she is ill, and she takes the whole
thing on her shoulders and says nothing. God bless her, I say!--and that
is all I have to say.
Several of the Guests (raising their glasses). Mrs. Tjaelde! Mrs.
Tjaelde!
Pram (grasping JAKOBSEN by the hand). That was fine of you, Jakobsen!
(LIND joins them; PRAM steps aside respectfully.)
Lind. Will you drink a glass of wine with me, Jakobsen?
Jakobsen. Thank you, very much. I am only a common man--
Lind. But a good-hearted one! Your health! (They drink to each other. A
boat is seen putting in to shore below the verandah. Its crew of six men
stand up and toss their oars in naval fashion. SANNAES is standing at
the helm.)
Holm (in a whisper, to KNUTZON). Tjaelde knew what he was doing when he
invited Jakobsen!
Knutzon (whispering). Just look at the boat!
Ring. Tjaelde is a very clever fellow--a very clever fellow! (VALBORG,
SIGNE and MRS. TJAELDE are seen coming up the verandah steps.)
Tjaelde. Gentlemen, the moment of departure is at hand; I see the ladies
coming to take leave of our distinguished guest. Let us take this last
opportunity of gathering around him--round our prince--and thanking him
for coming! Let us cheer him with three times three! (Cheers.)
Lind. Thank you, gentlemen! There is so little time left that I must
confine myself to merely bidding you all good-bye. (To MRS. TJAELDE.)
Good-bye, my dear madam! You should have heard how your health was
proposed and drunk just now. My warmest thanks for your hospitality, and
forgive me for the trouble I have caused you. (To SIGNE.) Good-bye,
Miss Signe. I am sorry time has not permitted me to have the honour of
becoming better acquainted with you; you seem so full of spirit! But if,
as you said, you are soon coming to Christiania--
Signe. I shall then do myself the honour of calling upon your wife.
Lind. Thank you, thank you--you will be most welcome. (To VALBORG.) Are
you not feeling well, Miss Valborg?
Valborg. Yes.
Lind. You look so serious. (As VALBORG does not reply, he continues
somewhat coldly:) Good-bye, Miss Valborg. (To HAMAR.) Good-bye,
Mr.--Mr.--
Tjaelde. Mr. Hamar.
Lind. Ah, the young man that talked to me about a horse--your future
son-in-law! Pray forgive me for not--
Hamar. Don't mention it!
Lind. Good-bye!
Hamar. A pleasant journey, sir!
Lind (coldly, to HOLM). Good-bye, Mr. Holm.
Holm (imperturbably polite). I wish you a very pleasant journey, Mr.
Lind.
Lind (to PRAM). Good-bye, Mr. Pram.
Pram (holds his hand, and seems as if he wanted to say something but
could not. At last he finds his voice). I want to thank you for--for--I
want to thank you for--for--
Lind. You are an excellent fellow!
Pram (in a relieved voice). I am so glad to hear it! Thank you.
Lind (to KNUTZON). Good-bye, Mr.--
Knutzon (hastily). Knutzon.
Pram. With a "z."
Lind (to KNUDSEN). Good-bye, Mr.--
Knudsen. Knudsen, again.
Pram. With an "s."
Lind (to FALBE). Mr--?
Falbe. Falbe.
Lind. Good-bye, Mr. Falbe! (To RING.) I am delighted to see you looking
so well, Mr. Ring.
Ring (with a low bow). The same to you, sir!
Lind. Good-bye, Mr. Vicar!
The Vicar (holding his hand, impressively). Let me wish you good luck
and happiness, Mr. Lind--
Lind. Thank you. (Tries to get away.)
The Vicar.--in your journey over the perilous seas to foreign lands!
Lind. Thank you. (Tries to get away.)
The Vicar. Let me wish you a safe return, Mr. Lind--
Lind. Thank you very much. (Tries to get away.)
The Vicar.--to our dear fatherland; a land, Mr. Lind, which possesses in
you--
Lind. You must excuse me, Mr. Vicar, but time presses.
The Vicar. Let me thank you for the pleasure of our meeting to-day, Mr.
Lind, for--
Lind. Indeed, there is no occasion! Good-bye! (To JAKOBSEN.) Good-bye,
Jakobsen, good-bye!
Jakobsen. Good-bye, Mr. Lind! I am only a common man, I know; but that
is no reason why I shouldn't wish you a pleasant journey too, is it?
Lind. Certainly not, Jakobsen.--Good-bye, Mr. Finne! By the way--just a
word! (In an undertone.) You said that Mr. Berent--. (Takes him aside.)
Tjaelde (to HAMAR). Now, remember the salute this time!--No, no, no!
Don't be in such a hurry! Wait till the boat puts off! You want to make
a mess of it again!
Hamar. Well, if ever again I--!
Tjaelde (to LIND, who holds out his hand to him). Goodbye, Mr. Lind! (In
a low voice.) No one has so much reason to thank you for your visit as
I. You are the only one that can understand--.
Lind (a shade coldly). Don't mention it, Mr. Tjaelde! Good luck to your
business! (In warmer tones.) Good-bye everybody--and thank you all for
your kindness! (The footman, who has for some time been holding out his
hat to him, gives it him, and his coat to SANNAES. LIND steps on board
the boat.)
All. Good-bye, Mr. Lind, good-bye!
Tjaelde. One cheer more! (Cheers and a cannon salute are heard together.
The boat glides away. They all wave their handkerchiefs. TJAELDE hurries
into the room.) I have no handkerchief; that blockhead has--. (Looks at
VALBORG.) Why are you not waving?
Valborg. Because I don't wish to. (TJAELDE looks at her, but says
nothing. He goes into the other room and comes back with a table-napkin
in each hand, and hurries on to the verandah.)
Tjaelde (waving and shouting). Good-bye! Good-bye!
Signe. Let us go out to the point and see the last of them!
All. Yes, yes! (All but TJAELDE and VALBORG hurry off to the right.)
Tjaelde (coming into the room). I saw Berent coming! (VALBORG goes out
by the door on the right. TJAELDE comes forward, throws the napkins on
to a table and himself into a chair.) Oh--oh! But this must be the last
time.--I shan't need this sort of thing any more! Never again! (Gets up
wearily.) Ah, I had forgotten. Berent!
[The Curtain falls.]
[The interval between this scene and the next should be as short as
possible.]
SCENE II
(SCENE.-TJAELDE'S private office. On the left, a desk strewn with
ledgers and papers. On the right, a stove. An easy chair by the stove.
A table in the foreground to the right; on it an inkstand and pens. Two
armchairs; one at the table facing the audience, the other at the side
of the table. Windows on either side of the desk; a door beyond the
stove. A door in the background, leading to other offices. A bell-pull
hangs down the wall. A chair on either side of the door. Quite at the
back, on the left, a staircase leading direct to TJAELDE'S bedroom.
BERENT and TJAELDE come in from the back.)
Tjaelde. You must excuse my receiving you here. But the other rooms are
all upside down; we have had some people to dinner.
Berent. I heard you had guests.
Tjaelde. Yes, Mr. Lind from Christiana.
Berent. Quite so.
Tjaelde. Won't you sit down? (BERENT lays down his hat and coat on a
chair by the door. He comes slowly forward, sits down at the side of the
table, and takes some papers from his breast-pocket. TJAELDE sits down
at the other chair by the table and watches him indifferently.)
Berent. What we now want is some fixed standard by which to make our
valuations, especially of real estate. Have you any objection to our
making your business a basis for arriving at that?
Tjaelde. None at all.
Berent. Then may I make my comments on your own figures, and ask you a
few questions about them?
Tjaelde. By all means.
Berent. Well, to begin with, let us take your properties immediately
round here; they will give us the best idea of local values. For
instance, take the Mjolstad forest; you have put that down, I see, at
L16,500.
Tjaelde (indifferently). Have I?
Berent. You bought it for L10,000.
Tjaelde. Yes, four years ago. Timber prices ruled low then.
Berent. And since then you have cut down more than L20,000 worth of
timber there.
Tjaelde. Who told you so?
Berent. Mr. Holst.
Tjaelde. Holst knows nothing about it.
Berent. We must try to be very accurate, you know.
Tjaelde. Well, of course, the whole valuation is not my concern; but
those whom it does concern will protest.
Berent (taking no notice of his objection). So I think we will reduce
the L16,500 to L10,000.
Tjaelde. To L10,000! (Laughs.) As you please.
Berent. Calculating by the same standard, we can scarcely put down the
Stav forest at more than L4000.
Tjaelde. Allow me to say that, if that is the way you are going to make
your valuation, everybody in the place will have to go bankrupt!
Berent (with a smile). We will risk that. You have put down your wharf
and its contents at L12,000.
Tjaelde. Including two ships in course of construction--
Berent.--for which it would be difficult to find a purchaser, as they
are so far from completion.
Tjaelde. Indeed?
Berent. So I think we cannot put down the wharf and its contents at a
higher figure than L8,000--and I believe even that will turn out to be
too high.
Tjaelde. If you can find me another wharf as well stocked, and with the
advantages that this one has, I will buy it whenever you like for L8000;
I am certain I should be more than L4000 to the good over the bargain.
Berent. May I go on?
Tjaelde. If you like! I even feel a certain curiosity to view my
possessions under such an entirely new light.
Berent. As a matter of fact the items that are too highly valued are
just those that comprise this property that you live on--its land, its
gardens, its dwelling houses, warehouses, and quays-not to mention the
brewery and the factory, which I shall come to later. Even regarded as
business premises they seem to me to be over-valued.
Tjaelde. Well?
Berent, Moreover, the luxurious appointments of this house of yours,
which would very probably be superfluous for any one else, cannot
possibly be counted upon to realise their full value in a sale.
Suppose--as is indeed most likely--that it were a countryman that bought
the place?
Tjaelde. You are reckoning me as turned out of it already, then!
Berent. I am obliged to base all my calculations on what the property
would fetch if sold now.
Tjaelde (getting up). What may you happen to value it at then?
Berent. At less than half your valuation; that is to say at--
Tjaelde. You must really forgive me if I use an expression which has
been on the tip of my tongue for some time: this is scandalous! You
force yourself into a man's house, and then, under pretext of asking for
his opinion, you practically--on paper--rob him of his possessions!
Berent. I don't understand you. I am trying to arrive at a basis for
values hereabouts; and you said yourself, did you not, that it is a
matter that does not concern you alone?
Tjaelde. Certainly; but even in jest--if I may be allowed the
expression--one does not take the statement that an honourable man has
voluntarily offered and treat it as a mendacious document.
Berent. There are many different points of view from which valuations
can be made, obviously. I see nothing more in it than that.
Tjaelde. But don't you understand that this is like cutting into my
living flesh? Bit by bit, my property has been brought together or
created by my own work, and preserved by the most strenuous exertions on
my part under terribly trying conditions--it is bound up with my family,
with all that is dear to me--it has become a part of my very life!
Berent (with a bow). I understand that perfectly. You have put down the
Brewery at--
Tjaelde. No; I refuse to allow you to go on in this way. You must find
some one else's property as a basis for your calculations--you must
consult some one else, whose idea of business corresponds somewhat
closer to your own ridiculous one.
Berent (leaning back in his chair). That is a pity. The banks were
anxious to be acquainted with your answers to my observations.
Tjaelde. Have you sent my statement to the banks?
Berent. With my remarks and comments on it, and Mr. Holst's.
Tjaelde. This has been a trap, then? I believed I had to deal with a
gentleman!
Berent. The banks or I, what is the difference? It comes to the same
thing, as I represent them unreservedly.
Tjaelde. Such impudent audacity is unpardonable!
Berent. I would suggest that we avoid hard words--at all events, for
the moment--and rather consider the effect that will be produced by the
balance-sheet sent in.
Tjaelde. That some of us will see!
Berent. The banking house of Lind & Co., for instance?
Tjaelde. Do you mean to say that my balance-sheet, ornamented with
marginal notes by you and Holst, is to be submitted to Mr. Lind's firm
too?
Berent. When the cannon-salutes and noise of your festivities
enlightened me as to the situation, I took the liberty of making some
inquiries of the banks.
Tjaelde. So you have been spying here, too? You have been trying to
undermine my business connections?
Berent. Is your position such, then, that you are afraid?
Tjaelde. The question is not my position, but your behaviour!
Berent. I think we had better keep to the point. You have put down the
Brewery at--
Tjaelde. No; your conduct is so absolutely underhanded that, as an
honest man, I must refuse all further dealing with you. I am, as I said
before, accustomed to have to deal with gentlemen.
Berent. I think you misunderstand the situation. Your indebtedness to
the banks is so considerable that a settlement of it may reasonably be
required of you. But to effect that you must work with us in the matter.
Tjaelde (after a moment's thought). Very well! But, no more details--let
me know your conclusions, briefly.
Berent. My conclusions, briefly, are that you have estimated your assets
at L90,800. I estimate them at L40,600.
Tjaelde (quietly). That is to say, you make me out to have a deficit of
about L30,000?
Berent. As to that, I must point out that your estimate of your
liabilities does not agree with mine, either.
Tjaelde (quietly). Oh, of course not!
Berent. For instance, the dividend that Moeller's estate is to yield to
you.
Tjaelde. No more details! What do you put my total liabilities at?
Berent. Let me see. Your total liabilities amount, according to your
calculations, to L70,000. I estimate them at L80,000--to be precise, at
L79,372.
Tjaelde. That puts my deficit at about--
Berent. At about L39,400--or, in round figures, L40,000.
Tjaelde. Oh, by all means let us stick to round figures!
Berent. So that the difference between your views of your balance-sheet
and mine is that, whereas you give yourself a surplus of about L20,000,
I give you a deficit of about L40,000.
Tjaelde. Thank you very much.--Do you know my opinion of the whole
matter? (BERENT looks up at him.) That I am in this room with a madman.
Berent. I have had the same opinion for some time.--The stock of timber
you hold in France I have not been able to deal with; you have forgotten
to include it in your account. Perhaps it may make a little difference.
Tjaelde. It is of no consequence! I have often enough heard people speak
of your callousness and your heartlessness; but their account of you has
come nowhere near the truth. I don't know why I have not turned you out
of my house long before this; but you will have the goodness to leave it
now!
Berent. We shall both leave presently. But before we do, we must discuss
the question of handing over the house to the Receiver in Bankruptcy.
Tjaelde. Ha, ha, ha! Allow me to inform you that at this very moment
a sum is being telegraphed to me which will be sufficient not only to
cover my present liabilities, but to set me straight in every direction!
Berent. The telegraph is a useful invention which is open to every one.
Tjaelde (after a moment's thought). What do you mean by that?
Berent. One effect of the noise of your festivities was that I used the
telegraph also. Mr. Lind will receive, on board the boat, a telegram
from his firm--and I doubt if the money you speak of will be
forthcoming.
Tjaelde. It is not true! You have not dared to do that!
Berent. The facts are exactly as I state.
Tjaelde. Give me my balance-sheet; let me look at it again. (Stretches
out his hand to take it.)
Berent (taking it up). Excuse me!
Tjaelde. Do you presume to keep back my own balance-sheet in my own
writing?
Berent. Yes, and even to put it in my pocket. (Does so.) A fraudulent
balance-sheet, dated and signed, is a document of some importance.
Tjaelde. You are determined to ruin my private and public reputation?
Berent. You have been working for that yourself for a long time. I know
your position. For a month past I have been in correspondence with all
the quarters in which you have business connections, both here any I
abroad.
Tjaelde. What underhanded deceitfulness an honest man is exposed to!
Here have I been surrounded by spies for the last month! A plot between
my business acquaintances and the banks! A snake creeping into my house
and crawling over my accounts! But I will break up the conspiracy! And
you will find out what it mean, to try and ruin a reputable firm by
underhand devices!
Berent. This is no time for fine phrases. Do you propose to surrender
your property at once?
Tjaelde. Ha, ha! I am to surrender it because you have made me out a
bankrupt on your bit of paper!
Berent. You might conceal the facts for a month, I know. But for your
own sake, and especially for the sake of others, I would urgently advise
you to end the matter at once. That was the reason of my journey here.
Tjaelde. Ah, now the truth is out! And you came here pretending a
friendly concern that the tangle should be straightened out! We were to
distinguish between the sound and unsound firms, and you requested me,
most politely, to give you my assistance in the matter!
Berent. Exactly. But there is no question of anything unsound here
except your own business and what is bound up with it.
Tjaelde (when he has controlled himself). So you came into my house with
the hidden design of ruining me?
Berent. I must repeat that it is not I that am responsible for your
bankruptcy; it is yourself.
Tjaelde. And I must repeat that my bankruptcy only exists in your
imagination! Much may happen in a month; and I have shown that I can
find a way out of difficulties before now!
Berent. That is to say, by involving yourself deeper and deeper in
falsehood.
Tjaelde. Only a man of business can understand such things. But, if you
really understand them, I would say to you: "Give me L20,000 and I will
save the situation entirely." That would be doing something worthy of
your great powers; that would give you a reputation for penetration
in discerning the real state of affairs; because by so doing you would
safeguard the welfare of more than a thousand people, and ensure a
prosperous future for the whole district!
Berent. I don't rise to that bait.
Tjaelde (after a moment's reflection). Do you want me to explain to you
how L20,000 would be sufficient to set the whole complicated situation
straight? Within three months remittances would be coming in. I can make
it its clear as daylight to you--
Berent.--that you would be falling from one disillusionment to another!
That is what you have been doing for the last three years, from month to
month.
Tjaelde. Because the last three years have been bad years--horrible
years! But we have reached the crisis; things must begin to improve now!
Berent. That is what every defaulter thinks.
Tjaelde. Do not drive me to despair! Have you any idea what I have gone
through in these three years? Have you any idea what I am capable of?
Berent. Of still further falsehood.
Tjaelde. Take care!--It is quite true that I am standing on the edge of
a precipice. It is true that for three years I have done everything
in mortal power to save the situation! I maintain that there has been
something heroic in the fight I have made. And that deserves some
reward. You have unrestricted powers; every one trusts you. Realise
for yourself what your mission is; do not let it be necessary for me to
teach it you! Let me tell you this, emphatically: it will be a dreadful
thing for _you_ if hundreds of people are to be ruined unnecessarily
now!
Berent. Let us make an end of this.
Tjaelde. No, devil take me if I give up a fight like this with a
senseless surrender!
Berent. How do you propose to end it, then?
Tjaelde. There is no issue to it that I have not turned over in my
thoughts--thousands of times. _I_ know what I shall do! I won't be a
mark for the jeers of this wretched little town, nor triumphed over by
those who have envied me all round the countryside!
Berent. What will you do, then?
Tjaelde. You shall see! (Speaking more and more excitedly.) You won't
help me under any conditions?
Berent. No.
Tjaelde. You insist that I shall surrender my estate, here and now?
Berent. Yes.
Tjaelde. Hell and damnation! You dare do that?
Berent. Yes.
Tjaelde (his agitation robbing him of his voice, which all at once sinks
to a hoarse whisper). You have never known what despair is!--You don't
know what an existence I have endured!-But if the decisive moment has
come, and I have a man here in my office who _ought_ to save me but will
not, then that man shall share what is in store for me.
Berent (leaning back in his chair). This is beginning to be impressive.
Tjaelde. No more jesting; you might regret it! (Goes to all the doors
and locks them with a key which he takes out of his pocket; then unlocks
his desk, and takes a revolver out of it.) How long do you suppose I
have had this in here?
Berent. Since you bought it, I suppose.
Tjaelde. And why do you suppose I bought it?--Do you suppose that after
I have been master of this town and the biggest man in the district, I
would endure the disgrace of bankruptcy?
Berent. You have been enduring it for a long time.
Tjaelde. It is in your power now either to ruin me or to wave me. You
have behaved in such a way that you deserve no mercy--and you shall have
none! Report to the banks that they may give me the use of L14,000 for
a year--I need no more than that--and I will save the situation for good
and all. Think seriously, now! Remember my family, remember how long my
firm has been established, remember the numbers that would be ruined if
I were! And do not forget to think of your own family! Because, if you
_don't_ agree to what I ask, neither of us shall leave this room alive!
Berent (pointing to the revolver). Is it loaded?
Tjaelde (putting his finger on the trigger). You will find that out in
good time. You must answer me now!
Berent. I have a suggestion to make. Shoot yourself first and me
afterwards.
Tjaelde (going up to him and holding the revolver to his head). I will
soon quiet your pretty wit.
Berent (getting up, and taking out of his pocket a paper which he
unfolds). This is a formal surrender of your estate to the Receiver
in Bankruptcy. If you sign it, you will be doing your duty to your
creditors, to your family, and to yourself. Shooting yourself and me
would only be adding an acted lie to all your others. Put away your
revolver and take up your pen!
Tjaelde. Never! I had resolved on this long ago. But you shall keep me
company, now!
Berent. Do what you please. But you cannot threaten me into a falsehood.
Tjaelde (who has lowered the revolver, takes a step back, raises the
revolver and aims at BERENT). Very well!
Berent (walking up to TJAELDE and looking him straight in the eyes,
while the latter reluctantly lowers the revolver). Do you suppose I
don't know that a man who has for so long shivered with falsehood and
terror in his inmost heart has lots of schemes but no courage? You
_dare_ not do it!
Tjaelde (furiously). I will show you! (Steps back and raises the
revolver again.)
Berent (following him). Shoot, and you will hear a report--that is what
you are longing for, I suppose! Or, give up your plan of shooting, think
of what you have done, confess, and afterwards hold your tongue!
Tjaelde. No; may the devil take both you and me--
Berent. And the horse?
Tjaelde. The horse?
Berent. I mean the magnificent charger on which you came galloping home
from the sale of Moeller's estate. You had better let some one shoot
you on horseback--on what was your last and greatest piece of business
duplicity! (Goes nearer to him and speaks more quietly.) Or--strip
yourself of the tissue of lies which enfolds you, and your bankruptcy
will bring you more blessing than your riches have ever done. (TJAELDE
lets the revolver drop out of his hand, and sinks into a chair in an
outburst of tears. There is silence for a moment.) You have made an
amazing fight of it for these last three years. I do not believe I know
any one who could have done what you have done. But you have lost the
fight this time. Do not shrink now from a final settlement and the pain
that it must cost you. Nothing else will cleanse your soul for you.
Tjaelde (weeping unrestrainedly, with his face buried in his hands). Oh,
oh!
Berent. You have blamed me for my method of proceeding in the matter.
My answer to that is that I forgive you for yours. (A pause.) Try now to
look the situation in the face, and take it like a man.
Tjaelde (as before). Oh!
Berent. At the bottom of your heart you must be weary of it all; make an
end of it all now!
Tjaelde (as before). Oh!
Berent (sitting down beside him, after a moment's pause). Wouldn't you
like to feel your conscience clear again--to be able really to live with
your wife and children? Because I am sure you have not done that for
many a day.
Tjaelde (as before). Oh!
Berent. I have known many speculators in my time and have received
many confessions. So I know what you have been robbed of for three
years--never a good night's rest, never a meal eaten with a light heart.
You have scarcely been conscious of what your children were doing or
saying, except when accident brought you together. And your wife--
Tjaelde. My wife!
Berent. Yes, she has slaved hard enough to prepare these banquets that
were to conceal the nakedness of the land. Indeed, she has been the
hardest worked servant in your house.
Tjaelde. My patient, good wife!
Berent. I feel certain you would rather be the humblest labourer earning
your daily bread than live through such suffering again.
Tjaelde. A thousand times rather!
Berent. Then can you hesitate to do what will give every man his due,
and bring you back to truthfulness again? Take the paper and sign it!
Tjaelde (falling on his knees). Mercy, mercy! You do not know what you
are asking me. My own children will curse me. I have just heard of a
child doing that to her father! And my business friends, who will be
ruined with me--numbers of them--think of their families! Oh! What is to
become of my work-people? Do you know there are more than four
hundred of them? Think of them and their families, robbed of their
livelihood!--Be merciful! I cannot, I dare not, do it! Save me, help me!
It was horrible of me to try and threaten you; but now I implore you,
for the sake of all those that deserve more than I, but to whom I shall
devote the rest of my life in loyal work!
Berent. I cannot save you, least of all with money that belongs to
others. What you ask me to do would be disloyalty to them.
Tjaelde. No, no! Publish my accounts openly--put me under trustees, if
you like; but let me go on with the scheme that I believe will succeed!
Every clear-headed man will see that it must succeed!
Berent. Come and sit down. Let us discuss it. (TJAELDE sits down.) Isn't
what you are now proposing exactly what you have been trying to do for
the last three years? You _have_ been able to borrow the means; but what
good has it done?
Tjaelde. Times have been so bad!
Berent (shaking his head). You have mixed up falsehood and truth for so
long that you have forgotten the simplest laws of commerce. To speculate
during bad times, on the chance of their becoming better, is all very
well for those who can afford it. Others must leave such things alone.
Tjaelde. But it is to the advantage of my creditors themselves, and of
the banks too, that my estate should hold together!
Berent. It is of no advantage to sound firms to prop up unsound ones.
Tjaelde. But, surely, to avoid losing their capital--?
Berent, Oh, perhaps in the Receiver's hands the estate may--
Tjaelde (hopefully, half rising from his chair). Yes? Well?
Berent. But not till you have been removed from the control of it.
Tjaelde (sinking down again). Not till I have been removed from the
control of it!
Berent. On _its own_ resources I dare say the estate can hold out until
better times come, but not on borrowed money.
Tjaelde. Not on borrowed money--
Berent. You understand the difference, of course?
Tjaelde. Oh, yes.
Berent. Good. Then you must understand that there is nothing left for
you to do but to sign this.
Tjaelde. Nothing left but to sign--
Berent. Here is the paper. Come, now!
Tjaelde (rousing himself). Oh, I cannot, I cannot!
Berent. Very well. But in that case the crash will come of itself in a
short time, and everything will be worse than it is now.
Tjaelde (falling on his knees).Mercy, mercy! I cannot let go of all
hope! Think, after a fight like mine!
Berent. Tell the truth and say: "I haven't the courage to face the
consequences."
Tjaelde. Yes, that is the truth.
Berent. "I haven't the courage to begin an honest life."