Tjaelde. Yes.

Berent. You don't know what you are saying, man!

Tjaelde. No, I don't. But spare me!

Berent (getting up). This is nothing but despair! I am sorry for you.

Tjaelde (getting up). Yes, surely you must be? Try me! Ask me to do

anything you like! Tell me what you--

Berent. No, no! Before anything else, you must sign this.

Tjaelde (sinking back into his chair). Oh!--How shall I ever dare to

look any one in the face again?--I, who, have defied everything and

deceived every one!

Berent. The man who has enjoyed the respect which he did not deserve

must some day undergo the humiliation which he has deserved. That is a

law; and I cannot save you from that.

Tjaelde. But they will be crueller to me than to any one else! I deserve

it, I know; but I shall not be able to endure it!

Berent. Hm! You are remarkably tough; your fight, these last three

years, proves that.

Tjaelde. Be merciful! Surely your ingenuity--your influence--_must_ be

able to find some way out for me?

Berent. Yes. The way out is for you to sign this.

Tjaelde. Won't you even take it over from me by private contract? If you

did that, everything would come right.

Berent. Sign! Here is the paper! Every hour is precious.

Tjaelde. Oh! (Takes up a pen; but turns to BERENT with a gesture of

supplication.) Daren't you test me, after what I have just gone through?

Berent. Yes, when you have signed. (TJAELDE signs the paper, and sinks

back in his chair with an expression of the keenest anguish. BERENT

takes the paper, folds it, and puts it in his pocket-book.) Now I will

go to the Bankruptcy Court with this, and afterwards to the telegraph

office. Probably the officials of the court will come this evening to

make their inventory. So you ought to warn your family.

Tjaelde. How shall I be able to do that? Give me a little time! Be

merciful!

Berent. The sooner the better for you--not to speak of the interests of

all concerned. Well, I have finished for the present.

Tjaelde. Don't desert me like this! Don't desert me!

Berent. You would like your wife to come to you, wouldn't you?

Tjaelde (resignedly). Yes.

Berent (taking up the revolver). And this--I will not take it with me.

There is no danger from it now. But I will put it in the desk, for the

sake of the others. Now, if you or yours should need me, send word to

me.

Tjaelde. Thank you.

Berent. I shall not leave the town until the worst is over.--Remember,

night or day, if you need me, send word to me.

Tjaelde. Thank you.

Berent. And now will you unlock the door for me?

Tjaelde (getting up). Ah, of course. Excuse me!

Berent (taking his hat and coat). Won't you call your wife now?

Tjaelde. No. I must have a little time first. I have the worst part of

it before me now.

Berent. I believe you have, and that is just why--. (Takes hold of the

bell-pull and rings the bell.)

Tjaelde. What are you doing?

Berent. I want, before I go, to be sure of your wife's coming to you.

Tjaelde. You should not have done that! (An office-boy comes in. BERENT

looks at TJAELDE.) Ask your mistress--ask my wife to come to me.

Berent. At once, please. (The boy goes out.) Good-bye! (Goes out.

TJAELDE sinks down on to a chair by the door.)

[The Curtain falls.]

ACT III

(SCENE.-The same as in the preceding act. TJAELDE is sitting alone, on

the chair by the door, in the position he was in when the curtain fell

on the last act. After sitting motionless for a considerable time, he

suddenly gets up.)

Tjaelde. How am I to begin? After her, there are the children; after

them, all my work-people--and then all the others! If only I could get

away! But the Receiver's men will be here.--I must have some air! (Goes

to the nearest window.) What a beautiful day!--but not for me. (Opens

the window and looks out.) My horse! No, I daren't look at it. Why is it

saddled? Oh, of course I meant, after my talk with Berent, to--. But

now everything is different! (Walks up and down once or twice, thinking;

then says suddenly:) Yes, on that horse I might reach the outer harbour

before the foreign boat sails! (Looks at his watch.) I can do it! And I

shall be able to put behind me all--. (Stops, with a start, as he hears

footsteps on the stair.) Who is there? What is it? (MRS. TJAELDE comes

down the stair into the room.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. You sent for me?

Tjaelde. Yes. (Watching her.) Were you upstairs?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, I was resting.

Tjaelde (sympathetically). Ah, you were sleeping, and I woke you up!

Mrs. Tjaelde. No, I was not asleep. (She has come slowly forward.)

Tjaelde. You weren't asleep? (Apprehensively, to her.) I suppose you

didn't--? (To himself.) No, I daren't ask her.

Mrs. Tjaelde. What did you want?

Tjaelde. I wanted--. (Sees her eyes fixed on the revolver.) You are

surprised at my having that out? I got it out because I am going on a

journey.

Mrs. Tjaelde (supporting herself on the desk). Going on a journey?

Tjaelde. Yes. Mr. Berent has been here, as I dare say you know. (She

does not answer.) Business, you know. I have to go abroad.

Mrs. Tjaelde (faintly). Abroad?

Tjaelde. Only for a few days. So I will only take my usual bag with a

change of clothes and one or two shirts; but I must have it at once.

Mrs. Tjaelde. I don't think your bag has been unpacked since you brought

it home to-day.

Tjaelde. So much the better. Will you get it for me?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Are you going away now--at once?

Tjaelde. Yes, by the foreign boat--from the outer harbour.

Mrs. Tjaelde. You have no time to lose, then.

Tjaelde. Are you not well?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Not very.

Tiwlde. One of your attacks?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes!--but I must fetch your bag. (TJAELDE helps her over

to the staircase.)

Tjaelde. You are not well, my dear--but you will be better some day.

Mrs. Tjaelde. I only wish _you_ looked better.

Tjaelde. We all have our burdens to bear.

Mrs. Tjaelde. If only we could bear more together!

Tjaelde. But you don't understand my affairs--and I have never had time

to talk about yours.

Mrs. Tjaelde. No--that's it. (Begins to go upstairs slowly.)

Tjaelde. Shall I help you?

Mrs. Tjaelde. No, thank you, dear.

Tjaelde (coming forward). Does she suspect? She is always like that--she

takes all my courage away from me. But there is no other way! Now--about

money? I surely have some gold here somewhere. (Goes to his desk, takes

some gold out of a drawer and counts it; then lifts his head and sees

MRS. TJAELDE who has sat down on the stair half-way up.) My dear, are

you sitting down?

Mrs. Tjaelde. I felt faint for a moment. I will go up now. (Gets up and

climbs the stair slowly.)

Tjaelde. Poor thing, she is worn out. (Pulls himself together.)

No--five, six, eight, ten--that is not enough. I must have some more.

(Searches in the desk.) And when I run short I have my watch and chain.

Twenty, twenty-four--that is all I can find. Ah, my papers! I must on

no account forget them. The ground is falling away under me! Isn't she

coming back? The bag was packed, surely?--Ah, how all this will make her

suffer! But it will not be so bad for her if I am away. People will be

more merciful, both to her and the children. Oh, my children! (Collects

himself.) Only let me get away, away! Thoughts will follow me there, all

the same!--Ah, here she is! (MRS. TJAELDE is seen coming down slowly,

with a bag which is evidently, heavy.) Shall I help you, dear?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Thanks, will you take hold of the bag?

Tjaelde (takes it; she comes slowly down). It is heavier than it was

this morning.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Is it?

Tjaelde. I have some papers to put in it. (Opens the bag.) But, my dear,

there is money in this bag.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes--some gold that you have given me at odd times. I

thought it might be useful to you now.

Tjaelde. There is a large sum.

Mrs. Tjaelde. I don't believe you even know how much you have given me.

Tjaelde. She knows everything!--My dear! (Opens his arms.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Henning! (They both burst into tears and fall into each

other's arms. MRS. TJAELDE whispers to him:) Shall I call the children?

Tjaelde (in a whisper). No, say nothing--till later! (They embrace

again. He takes up the bag.) Go to the window, so that I can see you

when I mount. (Shuts the bag and hurries to the door, but stops.) My

dear!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes?

Tjaelde. Forgive me!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Everything! (TJAELDE, as he is hurrying out, meets in the

doorway an office-boy who is bringing him a letter. TJAELDE takes it,

and the boy goes out.)

Tjaelde. From Berent! (Opens the letter, stands in the doorway and reads

it; then comes back into the room, with his bag in his hand, and reads

it again.) "When I left your house, I saw a horse standing saddled at

your door. To prevent misunderstanding, let me inform you that your

house is watched by the police."

Mrs. Tjaelde (supporting herself on the desk). You can't go?

Tjaelde. No. (A pause. He puts down the bag and wipes his forehead.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Henning, shall we pray together?

Tjaelde. What do you mean?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Pray--pray to God to help us? (Bursts into tears. TJAELDE

is silent. She falls on her knees.) Come, Henning! You see that all

human ingenuity is of no avail!

Tjaelde. I know that, only too well.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Well, try once, in this hour of our greatest need!

(TJAELDE appears to be struggling with his emotion.) You never would!

You have never confided in us, or in your God!--never opened your heart

to any one!

Tjaelde. Be quiet!

Mrs. Tjaelde. But what you concealed by day, you used to talk of in

the night. We mortals must talk, you know! But I have lain awake and

listened to your distress. Now you know why I am no longer good for

anything. No sleep at night, and none of your confidence in the daytime.

I have suffered even more than you. (TJAELDE throws himself into a

chair. She goes to him.) You wanted to run away. When we are afraid of

our fellow-men, we have only Him to turn to. Do you think I should be

alive now, if it were not for Him?

Tjaelde. I have thrown myself imploringly at His feet, but always in

vain!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Henning, Henning!

Tjaelde. Why did He not bless my work and the fight I was making? It is

all one now.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Ah, there is more to come.

Tjaelde (getting up). Yes, the worst is before us now--

Mrs. Tjaelde.--because it is in our own hearts! (A pause. VALBORG

appears coming down the stair, but stops at the sight of the others.)

What do you want, dear?

Valborg (with suppressed emotion). From my room I can see the police

watching the house. Are the Receiver's men coming now?

Mrs. Tjaelde (sitting down). Yes, my child. After a terrible

struggle--how terrible, his God and I alone know--your father has just

sent in his declaration of bankruptcy. (VALBORG takes a step or two

forward, then stands still. A pause.)

Tjaelde (unable to control himself). Now I suppose you will say to me

just what Moeller's daughter said to him!

Mrs. Tjaelde (getting up). You won't do that, Valborg!--God alone can

judge him.

Tjaelde. Tell me how cruelly I have wronged you! Tell me that you will

never be able to forgive me--(breaking down)--that I have lost your

respect and your love for ever!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Oh, my child!

Tjaelde. That your anger and your shame know no bounds!

Valborg. Oh, father, father! (Goes out by the door at the back. TJAELDE

tries to cross the room, as if to follow her, but can only stagger as

far as the staircase, to which he clings for support. MRS. TJAELDE sinks

back into her chair. There is a long pause. Suddenly JAKOBSEN cones in

from the outer once, dressed as before except that he has changed his

coat. TJAELDE is not aware of his entrance until JAKOBSEN is close

to him; then he stretches out his hands to him as if in entreaty, but

JAKOBSEN goes right up to him and speaks in a voice choked with rage.)

Jakobsen. You scoundrel! (TJAELDE recoils.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Jakobsen! Jakobsen!

Jakobsen (without heeding her). The Receiver's men are here. The books

and papers at the Brewery have been seized. Work is at a standstill--and

the same thing at the factory.

Mrs. Tjaelde. My God!

Jakobsen. And I had made myself responsible for twice as much as

I possessed! (He speaks low, but his voice vibrates with anger and

emotion.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Dear Jakobsen!

Jakobsen (turning to her). Didn't I say to him, every time he told me

to sign, "But I don't possess as much as that! It's not right!"--But he

used to answer, "It is only a matter of form, Jakobsen." "Yes, but

not an honourable form," I used to say. "It is a matter of form in

business," he would say; "all business folk do it." And all I knew of

business, I had learnt from him; so I trusted him. (With emotion.) And

he made me do it time after time. And now I owe more than I shall ever

be able to pay, all my life. I shall live and die a dishonoured man.

What have you to say to that, Mrs. Tjaelde? (She does not answer him. He

turns angrily upon TJAELDE.) Do you hear? Even _she_ can find nothing to

say!--Scoundrel!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Jakobsen!

Jakobsen (in a voice broken with emotion). I have nothing but the

deepest respect for you, Mrs. Tjaelde. But, you see, he has made me

swindle other people! In his name I shall have ruined numbers of them.

They trusted me, you see; just as I trusted him. I used to tell them

that he was a benefactor to the whole countryside, and that therefore

they ought to help him in these hard times. And now there will be many

an honest family robbed of house and home by our treachery. And that is

what he has brought me to! What heartless cruelty! (To TJAELDE.) I can

tell I feel inclined to--. (Takes a threatening step towards him.)

Mrs. Tjaelde (getting up). For my sake, Jakobsen!

Jakobsen (restraining himself). Yes, for your sake, ma'am; because I

have the deepest respect for you. But how am I to face all those poor

creatures that I have ruined? It will do them no good to explain to them

how it has happened; that won't help them to get their daily bread! How

shall I face my own wife! (With emotion.) She has had such faith in

me, and in those I trusted. And my children, too? It is very hard on

children, because they hear so much talk in the street. It won't be long

before they hear what sort of a father they have got; and they will hear

it from the children of the men I have ruined.

Mrs. Tjaelde. As you feel how hard it is yourself, that should make you

willing to spare others. Be merciful!

Jakobsen. I have the deepest respect for you; but it is hard that in my

home we should never again be able to eat a crust that we can properly

call our own--for I owe more than I can ever live to repay! That is

hard, Mrs. Tjaelde! What will become of my evenings with my children

now?--of our Sundays together? No, I mean that he shall hear the truth

from me. (Turns upon TJAELDE.) You scoundrel! You shan't escape me!

(TJAELDE shrinks back in terror and tries to reach the office door, but

at that moment the RECEIVER comes in, followed by two of his clerks and

SANNAES. TJAELDE crosses the room, staggers to his desk, and leans upon

it with his back turned to the newcomers.)

The Receiver (coming up behind Tjaelde). Excuse me! May I have your

books and papers? (TJAELDE gives a start, moves away to the stove, and

supports himself on it.)

Jakobsen (in a whisper, standing over him). Scoundrel! (TJAELDE moves

away from him and sits down on a chair by the door, hiding his face in

his hands.)

Mrs. Tjaelde (getting up and whispering to JAKOBSEN), Jakobsen!

Jakobsen! (He comes towards her.) He has never deliberately cheated

any one! He has never been what you say, and never will be! (Sits down

again.)

Jakobsen. I have the deepest respect for _you_, Mrs. Tjaelde. But if

_he_ is not a liar and swindler, there is no truth in anything! (Bursts

into tears. MRS. TJAELDE hides her face in her hands as she leans back

in her chair. A short silence. Then a confused noise of voices is

heard without. The RECEIVER and his men stop their work of sorting and

inventorying papers, and all look up.)

Mrs. Tjaelde (apprehensively). What is that? (SANNAES and the RECEIVER

go to one window, and JAKOBSEN to another.)

Jakobsen. It's the hands from the quay and the brewery and the factory

and the warehouse. All work is stopped until further orders; but this is

pay-day--and there is no pay for them! (The others resume their work.)

Tjaelde (coming forward despairingly). I had forgotten that!

Jakobsen (going up to him). Well, go out and face them, and they will

let you know what you are!

Tjaelde (in a low voice, as he takes up his saddle-bag). Here is money,

but it is all in gold. Go into the town and get it changed, and pay

them!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, do, Jakobsen!

Jakobsen (in lower tones). If _you_ ask me to, ma'am, I--So there is

money in this bag? (Opens it.) And all done up in rolls. He meant to

bolt, then!--and with the money his people had lent him. And yet you

say he is not a scoundrel! (TJAELDE gives a groan. The noise of voices

without grows louder.)

Mrs. Tjaelde (in a low voice). Be quick, or we shall have them in here.

Jakobsen. I will go.

The Receiver (interposing). Excuse me, but nothing must be taken away

from here until it has been examined and inventoried.

Jakobsen. It is pay-day, and this is the money for the wages.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Jakobsen is responsible for it, and will account for it.

The Receiver. Oh, that alters the case. Mr. Jakobsen is a man of

integrity. (Goes back to his work.)

Jakobsen (to MRS. TJAELDE, in a low voice full of emotion). Did you hear

that, Mrs. Tjaelde? He called me a man of integrity--and very soon not

a single soul will call me that! (Goes out past TJAELDE to whom he

whispers as he passes:) Scoundrel! I shall come back again!

The Receiver (going up to TJAELDE). Excuse me, but I must ask you for

the keys of your private rooms and cupboards.

Mrs. Tjaelde (answering for her husband). My housekeeper shall go with

you. Sannaes, here is the key of the cupboard. (SANNAES takes it from

her.)

The Receiver (looking at TJAELDE'S massive watch-chain). Whatever

article of dress can be called a necessary, we have nothing to do with;

but if it happens that it comrises jewellery of any great value--.

(TJAELDE begins to take off the watch-chain.) No, no; keep it on. But it

will have to be included in the inventory.

Tjaelde. I don't wish to keep it.

The Receiver. As you please. (Signs to one of his clerks to take it.)

Good-day! (Meanwhile SIGNE and HAMAR have appeared at the door of the

outer office, and have seen what passed. The RECEIVER, SANNAES, and the

clerks try to open the door on the right, but find it locked.) This door

is locked.

Tjaelde (as if waking from a dream). Ah, of course! (Goes to the door

and unlocks it.)

Signe (rushing to MRS. TJAELDE and falling on her knees beside her).

Mother!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, dear, the day of our trial has come! And I am

afraid--afraid that it may find us all too weak.

Signe. Mother, what is to become of us?

Mrs. Tjaelde. We are in God's hands.

Signe. I will go with Hamar to his aunt's. We will go at once.

Mrs. Tjaelde. It is possible that his aunt may not be willing to have

you now.

Signe. Aunt Ulla! What do you mean?

Mrs. Tjaelde. I mean that you have been the rich man's daughter; and you

do not know what the world is.

Signe. Hamar, do you think Aunt Ulla would refuse to have me?

Hamar (after a moment's thought). I don't know.

Mrs. Tjaelde. You hear that, my child. In the next few hours you will

learn more than you have learnt in all your life.

Signe (in a horrified whisper). Do you mean that even--?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Hush! (SIGNE hides her face in her mother's lap. A loud

burst of laughter is heard outside.)

Hamar (going to the nearest window). What is that? (SANNAES comes in

through the right-hand door and goes to the other window. TJAELDE, SIGNE

and MRS. TJAELDE get up.) The bay horse! They have got hold of it.

Sannaes. They have led it up the steps, and are pretending to sell it by

auction.

Hamar. They are ill-treating it! (SANNAES runs out. HAMAR snatches up

the revolver from the desk and looks to see if it is loaded.) I will--!

Signe. What are you going to do? (As he starts to go out, she clings to

him and prevents him.)

Hamar. Let me go!

Signe. Tell me first what you are going to do! Do you mean to go out

among all those men--alone?

Hamar. Yes.

Signe (throwing her arms round him). You shan't go!

Hamar. Take care, this is loaded!

Signe. What are you going to do with it?

Hamar (in a determined voice, as he shakes himself free of her). Put a

bullet into the poor beast! It is too good for that crew. It shan't be

put up for auction, either in joke or in earnest! (Goes to the farther

window.) I shall get a better aim from here.

Signe (following him, with a cry). You will hit some one!

Hamar. No, I can aim too well for that. (Takes aim.)

Signe. Father! If they hear a shot from here now--

Tjaelde (starting up). The house belongs to my creditors now--and the

revolver too!

Hamar. No, I am past taking orders from you now! (TJAELDE snatches at

the revolver, which goes off. SIGNE screams and rushes to her mother.

Outside, but this time immediately below the window, two cries are

heard: "They are shooting at us! They are shooting at us!" Then the

noise of breaking glass is heard, and stones fly in through the windows,

followed by shouts and ribald laughter. VALBORG, who has rushed in from

the outer office, stands in front of her father to protect him, her face

turned to the window. A voice is heard: "Follow me, my lads!")

Hamar (pointing the revolver at the window). Yes, just you try it!

Mrs. Tjaelde and Signe. They are coming in here!

Valborg. You shan't shoot! (Stands between him and the window.)

Tjaelde. It is Sannaes with the police! (Cries of "Get back, there!" are

heard; then a renewed uproar and a loud voice gradually dominating it;

until at last the noise gradually lessens and ceases.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Thank God! We were in great danger. (Sinks into a chair.

A pause.) Henning, where are you? (TJAELDE comes up behind her, and

strokes her head with his hand, but turns away immediately to hide his

deep emotion. A pause.)

Signe (on her knees by her mother's side). But won't they come back?

Hadn't we better go away from here?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Where to?

Signe (despairingly). What is to become of us?

Mrs. Tjaelde. What God wills. (A pause. Meanwhile HAMAR, unobserved,

has laid down the revolver on a chair and slipped out of the room by the

door at the back.)

Valborg (softly). Signe, look! (SIGNE gets up, looks round the room, and

gives a little cry.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. What is it?

Signe. I knew he would!

Mrs. Tjaelde (apprehensively). What is it?

Valborg. Every rich family has its tame lieutenant--and ours has just

left us. That's all.

Mrs. Tjaelde (getting up). Signe, my child!

Signe (throwing herself into her arms). Mother!

Mrs. Tjaelde. There will be no more pretence now. Do not let us regret

it!

Signe (in tears). Mother, mother!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Things are better as they are. Do you hear, dear? Don't

cry!

Signe. I am not crying! but I feel so ashamed--oh, so ashamed!

Mrs. Tjaelde. It is I that ought to feel ashamed for never having had

the courage to put a stop to what I saw was folly.

Signe (as before). Mother!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Soon there will be no one else left to desert us; and we

shall have nothing left that any one can rob us of, either.

Valborg (comes forward evidently labouring under great emotion). Yes,

there is, mother; _I_ mean to desert you.

Signe. You, Valborg? Desert us? You?

Valborg. Our home is going to be broken up, anyway. Each of us ought to

shift for herself.

Signe. But what am I to do? I don't know how to do anything.

Mrs. Tjaelde (who has sunk back into her chair). What a bad mother I

must have been, not to be able to keep my children together now!

Valborg (impetuously). You know we cannot stay together now! You know we

cannot put up with living on the charity of our creditors; we have done

that too long!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Hush, remember your father is in the room. (A pause.) What

do you want to do, Valborg?

Valborg (after she has regained her self-control, quietly). I want to go

into Mr. Holst's office, and learn commercial work--and keep myself.

Mrs. Tjaelde. You don't know what you are undertaking.

Valborg. But I know what I am leaving.

Signe. And I shall only be a burden to you, mother, because I can't do

anything--

Valborg. You _can_! Go out and earn a living; even if it is only as a

servant, what does that matter? Don't live on our creditors--not for a

day, not for an hour!

Signe. And what is to become of mother, then?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Your mother will stay with your father.

Signe. But all alone? You, who are so ill?

Mrs. Tjaelde. No, not alone! Your father and I will be together.

(TJAELDE comes forward, kisses the hand she has stretched out to him,

and falls on his knees by her chair, burying his face in her lap. She

strokes his hair gently.) Forgive your father, children. That is the

finest thing you can do. (TJAELDE gets up again and goes back to the

other end of the room. A messenger comes in with a letter.)

Signe (turning round anxiously). It is a letter from him! I can't stand

any more! I won't have it! (The messenger hands the letter to TJAELDE.)

Tjaelde. I accept no more letters.

Valborg (looking at the letter). It is from Sannaes?

Tjaelde. He, too!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Take it and read it, Valborg. Let us get it all over at

once. (VALBORG takes the letter from the messenger, who goes out. She

opens the letter, looks at it, and then reads it with emotion.) "Sir,--I

have owed you everything since I entered your employment as a boy.

Therefore do not take what I am going to say amiss. You know that about

eight years ago I came into a little legacy. I have used the money to

some advantage, having especially looked out for such investments as

would not be affected by the uncertainties of high finance. The total

sum, which now amounts to about L1400, I beg to offer to you as a token

of respectful gratitude; because, in the end, I owe it to you that I

have been able to make it that sum. Besides, you will be able to make

many times better use of it than I could. If you need me, my dearest

wish is to remain with you in the future. Forgive me for having seized

just this moment for doing this; I could not do otherwise.--Your

obedient servant, J. SANNAES." (While VALBORG has been reading, TJAELDE

has come gradually forward, and is now standing beside his wife.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Though out of all those you have helped, Henning, only one

comes to your aid at a time like this, you must feel that you have your

reward. (TJAELDE nods, and goes to the back of the room again.) And you,

children--do you see how loyally this man, a stranger, is standing by

your father? (A pause. SIGNE stands by the desk, crying. TJAELDE walks

up and down uneasily at the back of the room once or twice, then goes up

the staircase.)

Valborg. I should like to speak to Sannaes.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, do, dear! I couldn't, just now; and I am sure your

father couldn't either. You speak to him! (Gets up.) Come, Signe, you

and I must have a talk; you must open your heart to me now.--Ah, when

have we ever had a real talk together? (SIGNE goes to her.) Where is

your father?

Valborg. He went upstairs.

Mrs. Tjaelde (leaning on SIGNE's arm). So he did. I am sure he must be

longing to rest--although he won't find it easy to do that. It has been

a terrible day; but surely God will turn it to our good! (Goes out

with SIGNE. VALBORG goes to the back of the room and rings the bell. A

messenger comes.)

Valborg. If Mr. Sannaes is out there, please ask him to be so good as

to come in here for a moment. (The messenger goes out.) Perhaps he won't

come, when he hears it is I. (Listens.) Yes, he is coming!

(SANNAES comes in, but stops short when he sees VALBORG, and hurriedly

puts his hands behind his back.)

Sannaes. Is it you, Miss Valborg, that want me?

Valborg. Please come in. (SANNAES takes a few timid steps forward.

VALBORG speaks in a more friendly tone.) Come in, then! (SANNAES comes

further into the room.)

Valborg. You have written a letter to my father.

Sannaes (after a moment's pause). Yes.

Valborg. And made him a most generous offer.

Sannaes (as before). Oh, well--it was only natural that I should.

Valborg. Do you think so? It doesn't seem so to me. It is an offer that

honours the man that made it. (A pause.)

Sannaes. I hope he means to accept it?

Valborg. I don't know.

Sannaes (sadly, after a moment's pause). Then he doesn't mean to? No--I

suppose not.

Valborg. I honestly don't know. It depends on whether he dare.

Sannaes. Whether he dare?

Valborg. Yes. (A pause.)

Sannaes (evidently very shy of VALBORG). Have you any more orders for

me, Miss Valborg?

Valborg (with a smile). Orders? I am not giving you orders.--You have

offered also to stay with my father for the future.

Sannaes. Yes--that is to say, if he wishes me to.

Valborg. I don't know. In that case there would be only he and my mother

and you; no one else.

Sannaes. Indeed? What about the others, then?

Valborg. I don't know for certain what my sister means to do--but I am

leaving home to-day.

Sannaes. Then you are going to--

Valborg.--to try and get a clerkship somewhere. So that it will be a bit

lonely for you to be in my father's employment now. (A pause.) I expect

you had not thought of it in that light?

Sannaes. No--yes--that is to say, your father will have all the more

need of me then.

Valborg. Indeed he will. But what sort of a prospect is it for you

to bind up your fortunes with my father's? The future is so very

problematical, you know.

Sannaes. What sort of a prospect--?

Valborg. Yes, a young man should have some sort of a prospect before

him.

Sannaes. Yes--of course; that is to say, I only thought that at first it

would be so difficult for him.

Valborg. But I am thinking of you. Surely you have some plans for the

future?

Sannaes (embarrassed). Really I would rather not talk about myself.

Valborg. But I want to.--You have something else in reserve, then?

Sannaes. Well--if I must tell you--I have some well-to-do relations in

America who have for a long time wanted me to go over there. I should

soon be able to get, a good situation there.

Valborg. Indeed?--But why haven't you accepted such a good offer long

before this? (SANNAES does not answer.) You must have been sacrificing

your best interests by staying so long with us? (SANNAES is still

silent.) Any! it will be making a still greater sacrifice to stay with

us now--

Sannaes (struggling with his embarrassment). I have never thought of it

as being that.

Valborg. But my father can scarcely accept so much from you.

Sannaes (in alarm). Why not?

Valborg. Because it really would be too much.--And, in any case, I shall

try to prevent him.

Sannaes (almost imploringly). You, Miss Valborg?

Valborg. Yes. You must not be misemployed any longer.

Sannaes. Misemployed? In what I _myself_ desire so much?

Valborg. When I have talked it over with my father, I think he will see

my point.

Sannaes (anxiously). What do you mean?

Valborg (after a moment's reflection).--I mean, the reason of your

having made such great sacrifices for us--and of your being willing to

make still greater now. (A pause. SANNAES hangs his head, and is raising

his hands to hide his face, when suddenly he puts them behind his back

again. VALBORG continues, in gentle but firm tones:) I have taught

myself, all my life, to look behind deeds and words for their motives.

Sannaes (quietly, without raising his head). You have taught yourself to

be cruelly bitter, hard and unjust.

Valborg (starts, but collects herself, and says gently:) Don't say that,

Mr. Sannaes! It is not hard-heartedness or bitterness that makes me

think of your future now--and makes me wish to spare you disappointment.

Sannaes (with a cry of pain). Miss Valborg!

Valborg. Be honest with yourself, and you will be able to take a fairer

view of what I have just said.

Sannaes. Have you any more orders, Miss Valborg?

Valborg. I give you no orders, as I have told you already. I am only

bidding you good-bye; and I do it with grateful thanks to you for all

your goodness to me--and to us all. Good-bye and good luck, Mr. Sannaes.

(SANNAES bows.)Won't you shake hands? Ah, I forgot--I offended you.

I beg your pardon for that. (SANNAES bows and turns to go.) Come, Mr.

Sannaes--let us at least part as good friends! You are going to America,

and I am going among strangers. Let us go away wishing one another well.

Sannaes (moved). Good-bye, Miss Valborg. (Turns to go.)

Valborg. Mr. Sannaes--shake hands!

Sannaes (stopping). No, Miss Valborg.

Valborg. Don't treat me uncivilly; I have not deserved that. (SANNAES

again turns to go.) Mr. Sannaes!

Sannaes (stopping). You might soil your fingers, Miss Valborg! (Walks

proudly away.)

Valborg (controlling herself with an effort). Well, we have offended

each other now. But why should we not forgive each other as well?

Sannaes. Because you have just offended me for the second time

to-day--and more deeply than the first time.

Valborg. Oh, this is too much! I spoke as I did, because I owed it to

myself not to be put in a false position, and owed it to you to spare

you future disappointment. And you call that insulting you! Which of us

has insulted the other, I should like to know?

Sannaes. You have, by thinking such things of me. Do you realise how

cruelly you have spoilt the happiest action of my life?

Valborg. I have done so quite unintentionally, then. I am only glad that

I was mistaken.

Sannes (bitterly). You are glad! So it really makes you glad to know

that I am not a scoundrel!

Valborg (quietly). Who said anything of the kind?

Sannaes. You! You know the weak spot in my armour; but that you should

on that account believe that I could lay a trap for you and try to trade

on your father's misfortune, Miss Valborg--! No, I cannot shake hands

with any one who has thought so badly of me as that! And, since you have

so persistently insulted me that I have lost all the timidity I used

to feel in your presence, let me tell you this openly; these hands

(stretching out his hands to her) have grown red and ugly in loyal work

for your father, and his daughter should have been above mocking at me

for them! (Turns to go, but stops.) And, one word more. Ask your father

for _his_ hand now, and hold fast to it, instead of deserting him on the

very day that misfortune has overtaken him. That would be more to the

point than worrying about _my_ future. I can look after that for myself.

(Turns again to go, but comes back.) And when, in his service--which

will be no easy service now--your hands bear the same honourable marks

of work as mine do, and are as red as mine, then you will perhaps

understand how you have hurt me! At present you cannot. (He goes quickly

towards the door of the outer office.)

Valborg (with a wry smile). What a temper! (More seriously.) And

yet, after all--. (Looks after him. Just as SANNAES gets to the door

TJAELDE'S voice is heard calling him from the top of the staircase.

SANNAES answers him.)

Tjaelde (coming down the stairs). Sannaes! Sannaes! I can see Jakobsen

coming. (Hurries across the room as if pursued by fear. SANNAES follows

him.) Of course he will be coming back to look for me again! It is

cowardly of me to feel that I cannot stand it; but I cannot--not to-day,

not now! I cannot stand any more! Stop him! Don't let him come in! I

shall have to drink my cup of misery to the dregs; but (almost in a

whisper) not all at one draught! (Hides his face in his hands.)

Sannaes. He shan't come; don't be afraid! (Goes quickly out, with an air

of determination.)

Tjaelde. It is hard--oh, it is hard!

Valborg (coming to his side). Father! (He looks at her, anxiously.) You

may safely accept the money Sannaes offers you.

Tjaelde (in surprise). What do you mean by that?

Valborg. I mean--that, if you do, I will not forsake you either, but

stay here with you too.

Tjaelde (incredulously). You, Valborg?

Valborg. Yes, you know I want to learn office work, and business; and I

would rather learn in your office.

Tjaelde (shyly). I don't understand what you--?

Valborg. Don't you understand, dear? I believe I could become of some

use in the office. And in that way, you know, we might begin afresh--and

try, with God's help, to pay your creditors.

Tjaelde (happily, but shyly). My child! Who put such a happy idea into

your head?

Valborg (putting an arm round his neck). Father, forgive me for all that

I have neglected to do! You shall see how I will try and make up for it!

How hard I shall work!

Tjaelde (still half incredulous). My child! My child!

Valborg. I feel--I cannot tell you how deeply--a craving for love and

for work! (Throws both her arms round his neck.) Oh, father, how I love

you!--and how I shall work for you!

Tjaelde. Ah, that is the Valborg I have waited for, ever since you were

a little child! But we had drifted away from one another, somehow.

Valborg. No more about the past! Look forward, father, look forward!

Concerns "that would not be affected by the uncertainties of high

finance,"--weren't those his words?

Tjaelde. So you were struck by that expression, too?

Valborg. That may mean a future for us now! We will have a home all to

ourselves--a little house down on the shore--and I shall help you, and

Signe will help mother--we shall know what it is to live, for the first

time!

Tjaelde. What happiness it will be!

Valborg. Only look forward, father! Look forward! A united family is

invincible!

Tjaelde. And to think that such help should come to me now!

Valborg. Yes, now we are all going to our posts--and all together, where

formerly you stood alone! You will have good fairies round you; wherever

you look, you will see happy faces and busy fingers all day long; and we

shall all enjoy our meals and our evenings together, just as we did when

we were children!

Tjaelde. That, above everything!

Valborg. Ha, ha!--it is after the rain that the birds sing blithest, you

know! And this time our happiness can never miscarry, because we shall

have something worth living for!

Tjaelde. Let us go to your mother! This will cheer her heart!

Valborg. Ah, how I have learnt to love her! What has happened to-day has

taught me.

Tjaelde. It is for her that we shall all work now.

Valborg. Yes--for her, for her. She shall rest now. Let us go to her!

Tjaelde. Kiss me first, my dear. (His voice trembles.) It is so long

since you did!

Valborg (kissing him). Father!

Tjaelde. Now let us go to your mother. (The curtain falls as they go out

together.)

ACT IV

(SCENE.--In the garden of TJAELDE'S new home, on the shore of the fjord,

three years later. A view of tranquil sunlit sea, dotted with boats, in

the background. On the left a portion of the house is seen, with an open

window within which VALBORG is seen writing at a desk. The garden is

shaded with birch trees; flower-beds run round the house, and the whole

atmosphere one of modest comfort. Two small garden tables and several

chairs are in the foreground on the right. A chair standing by itself,

further back, has evidently had a recent occupant. When the curtain

rises the stage is empty, but VALBORG is visible at the open window.

Soon afterwards TJAELDE comes in, wheeling MRS. TJAELDE in an invalid

chair.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Another lovely day!

Tjaelde. Tjaelde. Lovely! There was not a ripple on the sea last night.

I saw a couple of steamers far out, and a sailing ship that had hove to,

and the fisher-boats drifting silently in.

Mrs. Tjaelde. And think of the storm that was raging two days ago!

Tjaelde. And think of the storm that broke over our lives barely three

years ago! I was thinking of that in the night.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Sit down here with me.

Tjaelde. Shall we not continue our stroll?

Mrs. Tjaelde. The sun is too hot.

Tjaelde. Not for me.

Mrs. Tjaelde. You big strong man! It is too hot for me.

Tjaelde (taking a chair). There you are, then.

Mrs. Tjaelde (taking off his hat and wiping his forehead). You are very

hot, dear. You have never looked so handsome as you do now!

Tjaelde. That's just as well, as you have so much time to admire me now!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Now that I find getting about so difficult, you mean? Ah,

that is only my pretence, so as to get you to wheel me about!

Tjaelde (with a sigh). Ah, my dear, it is good of you to take it so

cheerfully. But that you should be the only one of us to bear such hard

traces of our misfortune--

Mrs. Tjaelde (interrupting him). Do you forget your own whitened hair?

That is a sign of it, too, but a beautiful one! And, as for my being an

invalid, I thank God every day for it! In the first place I have almost

no pain, and then it gives me the opportunity to feel how good you are

to me in every way.

Tjaelde. You enjoy your life, then?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, indeed I do--and just as I should wish to.

Tjaelde. Just to be spoiled, and yourself to spoil us?

Valborg (from the window). I have finished the accounts, father.

Tjaelde. Doesn't it come out at about what I said?

Valborg. Almost exactly. Shall I enter it in the ledger at once?

Tjaelde. Oho! You are glad then, as you seem in such it hurry?

Valborg. Certainly! Such a good stroke of business!

Tjaelde. And both you and Sannaes tried your best to dissuade me from

it!

Valborg. Such a pair of wiseacres!

Mrs. Tjaelde. Ah, your father is your master, my dear!

Tjaelde. Tjaelde. Oh, it is easy enough to captain a small army that

marches on, instead of a big one that is in retreat. (VALBORG goes on

with her work.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. And yet it seemed hard enough for us to give it up.

Tjaelde. Yes, yes--oh, yes. I can tell you, I was thinking of that last

night. If God had given me what I begged for then, what state should we

have been in now? I was thinking of that, too.

Mrs. Tjaelde. It is the fact of the estate being at last wound up that

has brought all these thoughts into your mind, dear?

Tjaelde. Yes.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Then I must confess that I, too, have scarcely been able

to think of anything else since yesterday, when Sannaes went into town

to settle it up. This a red-letter day! Signe is wrestling with a little

banquet for us; we shall see what an artist she has become! Here she is!

Tjaelde. I think I will just go and look over Valborg's accounts. (Goes

to the window. SIGNE comes out of the house, wearing a cook's apron and

carrying a basin.)

Signe. Mother, you must taste my soup! (Offers her a spoonful.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Clever girl! (Tastes the soup.) Perhaps it would stand a

little--. No, it is very good as it is. You are clever!

Signe. Am I not! Will Sannaes be back soon?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Your father says we may expect him any moment.

Tjaelde (at the window, to VALBORG). No, wait a moment. I will come in.

(Goes into the house, and is seen within the window beside VALBORG.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. My little Signe, I want to ask you something?

Signe. Do you?

Mrs. Tjaelde. What was in the letter you had yesterday evening?

Signe. Aha, I might have guessed that was it! Nothing, mother.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Nothing that pained you, then?

Signe. I slept like a top all night--so you can judge for yourself.

Mrs. Tjaelde. I am so glad. But, you know, there seems to me something a

little forced in the gay way you say that?

Signe. Does there? Well, it was something that I shall always be ashamed

of; that is all.

Mrs. Tjaelde. I am thankful to hear it, for--

Signe (interrupting her). That must be Sannaes. I hear wheels. Yes, here

he is! He has come too soon; dinner won't be ready for half an hour yet.

Mrs. Tjaelde. That doesn't matter.

Signe. Father, here is Sannaes!

Tjaelde (from within). Good! I will come out! (SIGNE goes into the house

as TJAELDE comes out. SANNAES comes in a moment later.)

Tjaelde and Mrs. Tjaelde. Welcome!

Sannaes. Thank you! (Lays down his dust-coat and driving gloves on a

chair, and comes forward.)

Tjaelde. Well?

Sannaes. Yes--your bankruptcy is discharged!

Mrs. Tjaelde. And the result was--?

Sannaes. Just about what we expected.

Tjaelde. And, I suppose, just about what Mr. Berent wrote?

Sannaes. Just about, except for one or two inconsiderable trifles. You

can see for yourself. (Gives him a bundle of papers.) The high prices

that have ruled of late, and good management, have altered the whole

situation.

Tjaelde (who has opened the papers and glanced at the totals). A deficit

of L12,000.

Sannaes. I made a declaration on your behalf, that you intended to

try and repay that sum, but that you should be at liberty to do it in

whatever way you found best. And so--

Tjaelde. And so--?

Sannaes.--I proferred on the spot rather more than half the amount you

still owed Jakobsen.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Not really? (TJAELDE takes out a pencil and begins making

calculations on the margins of the papers.)

Sannaes. There was general satisfaction--and they all sent you their

cordial congratulations.

Mrs. Tjaelde. So that, if all goes well--

Tjaelde. Yes, if things go as well with the business as they promise

to, Sannaes, in twelve or fourteen years I shall have paid every one in

full.

Mrs. Tjaelde. We haven't much longer than that left to live, dear!

Tjaelde. Then we shall die poor. And I shall not complain!

Mrs. Tjaelde. No, indeed! The honourable name you will leave to your

children will be well worth it.

Tjaelde. And they will inherit a sound business, which they can go on

with if they choose.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Did you hear that, Valborg?

Valborg (from the window). Every word! (SANNAES bows to her.) I must go

in and tell Signe! (Moves away from the window.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. What did Jakobsen say?--honest old Jakobsen?

Sannaes. He was very much affected, as you would expect. He will

certainly be coming out here to-day.

Tjaelde (looking up from the papers). And Mr. Berent?

Sannaes. He is coming hard on my heels. I was to give you his kind

regards and tell you so.

Tjaelde. Splendid! We owe him so much.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, he has been a true friend to us. But, talking of true

friends, I have something particular to ask _you_, Sannaes.

Sannaes. Me, Mrs. Tjaelde?

Mrs. Tjaelde. The maid told me that yesterday, when you went into town,

you took the greater part of your belongings with you. Is that so?

Sannaes. Yes, Mrs. Tjaelde.

Tjaelde. What does that mean? (To his wife.) You said nothing about it

to me, my dear.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Because I thought it might be a misunderstanding. But now

I must ask what was the meaning of it. Are you going away?

Sannaes (fingering a chair, in evident confusion). Yes, Mrs. Tjaelde.

Tjaelde. Where to? You never said anything about it.

Sannaes. No; but I have always considered that I should have finished my

task here as soon as the estate was finally wound up.

Tjaelde and Mrs. Tjaelde. You mean to leave us?

Sannaes. Yes.

Tjaelde. But why?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Where do you mean to go?

Sannaes. To my relations in America. I can now, without doing you any

harm, withdraw my capital from the business by degrees and transfer it

abroad.

Tjaelde. And dissolve our partnership?

Sannaes. You know that at any rate you had decided now to resume the old

style of the firm's name.

Tjaelde. That is true; but, Sannaes, what does it all mean? What is your

reason?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Are you not happy here, where we are all so attached to

you?

Tjaelde. You have quite as good a prospect for the future here as in

America.

Mrs. Tjaelde. We held together in evil days; are we not to hold together

now that good days have come?

Sannaes. I owe you both so much.

Mrs. Tjaelde. Good heavens, it is we that owe you--

Tjaelde.--more than we can ever repay. (Reproachfully.) Sannaes!

(SIGNE comes in, having taken off her cooking apron.)

Signe. Congratulations! Congratulations! Father mother! (Kisses them

both.) Welcome, Sannaes!--But aren't you pleased?--now? (A pause.

VALBORG comes in.)

Valborg. What has happened?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Sannaes wants to leave us, my children (A pause.)

Signe. But, Sannaes--!

Tjaelde. Even if you want to go away, why have you never said a single

word to us about it before? (To the others.) Or has he spoken to any of

you? (MRS. TJAELDE shakes her head.)

Signe. No.

Sannaes. It was because--because--I wanted to be able to go as soon as I

had told you. Otherwise it would be too hard to go.

Tjaelde. You must have very serious grounds for it, then! Has anything

happened to you to--to make it necessary? (SANNAES does not answer.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. And to make it impossible for you to trust any of us?

Sannaes (shyly). I thought I had better keep it to myself. (A pause.)

Tjaelde. That makes it still more painful for us--to think that you

could go about in our little home circle here, where you have shared

everything with us, carrying the secret of this intention hidden in your

heart.

Sannaes. Do not be hard on me! Believe me, if I could stay, I would; and

if I could tell you the reason, I would. (A pause.)

Signe (to her mother, in an undertone). Perhaps he wants to get married?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Would his being here with us make any difference to that?

Any one that Sannaes loved would be dear to us.

Tjaelde (going up to SANNAES and putting an arm round his shoulders).

Tell one of us, then, if you cannot tell us all. Is it nothing we can

help you in?

Sannaes. No.

Tjaelde. But can you judge of that alone? One does not always realise

how much some one else's advice, on the experience of an older man, may

help one.

Sannaes. Unfortunately it is as I say.

Tjaelde. It must be something very painful, then?

Sannaes. Please--!

Tjaelde. Well, Sannaes, you have quite cast a cloud over to-day's

happiness for us. I shall miss you as I have never missed any one.

Mrs. Tjaelde. I cannot imagine the house without Sannaes!

Tjaelde (to his wife). Come, dear, shall we go in again?

Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes--it is not nice out here any longer. (TJAELDE takes

her into the house. SIGNE turns to VALBORG to go in with her, but when

she comes close to her she gives a little cry. VALBORG takes her arm,

and their eyes meet.)

Signe. Where have my wits been? (She goes into the house, looking back

at VALBORG and SANNAES. The latter is giving way to his emotion, but as

soon as his eyes fall on VALBORG he recovers himself.)

Valborg (impetuously). Sannaes!

Sannaes. What are your orders, Miss Valborg?

Valborg (turning away from him, then turning back, but avoiding his

eyes). Do you really mean to leave us?

Sannaes. Yes, Miss Valborg. (A pause.)

Valborg. So we shall never stand back to back at our desks in the same

room again?

Sannaes. No, Miss Valborg.

Valborg. That is a pity; I had become so accustomed to it.

Sannaes. You will easily become accustomed to some one else's--back.

Valborg. Ah, some one else is some one else.

Sannaes. You must excuse me, Miss Valborg; I don't feel in the humour

for jesting to-day. (Turn to go.)

Valborg (looking up at him). Is this to be our parting, then? (A pause.)

Sannaes. I thought of taking leave of you all this afternoon.

Valborg (taking a step towards him). But ought not we two to settle our

accounts first?

Sannaes (coldly). No, Miss Valborg.

Valborg. Do you feel then that everything between us has been just as it

ought?

Sannaes. God knows I don't!

Valborg. But you think I am to blame?--Oh, well, it doesn't matter.

Sannaes. I am quite willing to take the blame. Put anyway, it is all

finished with now.

Valborg. But if we were to share the blame? You cannot be quite

indifferent as to which of us should take it?

Sannaes. I confess I am not. But, as I said, I do not wish for any

settling of accounts between us.

Valborg. But I wish it.

Sannaes. You will have plenty of time to settle it to your own

satisfaction.

Valborg. But, if I am in difficulties about it, I cannot do it alone.

Sannaes. I do not think you will find any difficulty.

Valborg. But if _I_ think so?--if I feel myself deeply wronged?

Sannaes. I have told you that I am willing to take all the blame upon

myself.

Valborg. No, Sannaes--I don't want charity; I want to be understood. I

have a question to ask you.

Sannaes. As you will.

Valborg. How was it that we got on so well for the first year after my

father's failure-and even longer? Have you ever thought of that?

Sannaes. Yes. I think it was because we never talked about anything but

our work--about business.

Valborg. You were my instructor.

Sannaes. And when you no longer needed an instructor--

Valborg.--we hardly spoke to one another.

Sannaes (softly). No.

Valborg. Well, what could I say or do, when every sign of friendship on

my part went unnoticed?

Sannaes. Unnoticed? Oh no, Miss Valborg, I noticed them.

Valborg. That was my punishment, then!

Sannas. God forbid I should do you an injustice. You had a motive which

did you credit; you felt compassion for me, and so you could not help

acting as you did. But, Miss Valborg, I refuse your compassion.

Valborg. And suppose it were gratitude?

Sannaes (softly). I dreaded that more than anything else! I had had a

warning.

Valborg. You must admit, Sannaes, that all this made you very difficult

to deal with!

Sannaes. I quite admit that. But, honestly, _you_ must admit that I

had good reason to mistrust an interest in me that sprang from mere

gratitude. Had circumstances been different, I should only have bored

you cruelly; I knew that quite well. And I had no fancy for being an

amusement for your idle hours.

Valborg. How you have mistaken me!--If you will think of it, surely you

must understand how different a girl, who has been accustomed to travel

and society, becomes when she has to stay at home and work because it

is her duty. She comes to judge men by an altogether different standard,

too. The men that she used to think delightful are very likely to appear

small in her eyes when it is a question of the demands life makes on

ability or courage or self-sacrifice; while the men she used to laugh

at are transformed in her eyes into models of what God meant men to

be, when she is brought into close contact with them in her father's

office.--Is there anything so surprising in that? (A pause.)

Sannaes. Thank you, at all events, for saying that to me. It has done me

good. But you should have said it sooner.

Valborg (emphatically). How could I, when you misjudged everything I did

or said? No; it was impossible until mistakes and misunderstandings had

driven us so far apart that we could not endure them any longer (Turns

away.)

Sannaes. Perhaps you are right. I cannot at once recall all that has

happened. If I have been mistaken, I shall by degrees find the knowledge

of it a profound comfort.--You must excuse me, Miss Valborg, I have a

number of things to see to. (Turns to go.)

Valborg (anxiously). Sannaes, as you admit that you have judged

me unjustly, don't you think you ought at least to give me--some

satisfaction?

Sannaes. You may be certain, Miss Valborg, that when I am balancing our

account you shall not suffer any injustice. But I cannot do it now. All

I have to do now is to get ready to go.

Valborg. But you are not ready to go, Sannaes! You have not finished

your work here yet! There is what I just spoke of--and something else

that dates farther back than that.

Sannaes. You must feel how painful it is for me to prolong this

interview. (Turns to go.)

Valborg. But surely you won't go without setting right something that I

am going to beg you to?

Sannas. What is that, Miss Valborg?

Valborg. Something that happened a long time ago.

Sannaes. If it is in my power, I will do what you ask.

Valborg. It is.--Ever since that day you have never offered to shake

hands with me.

Sannaes. Have you really noticed that? (A pause.)

Valborg (with a smile, turning away). Will you do so now?

Sannaes (stepping nearer to her). Is this more than a mere whim?

Valborg (concealing her emotion). How can you ask such a question now?

Sannaes. Because all this time you have never once asked me to shake

hands with you.

Valborg. I wanted you to offer me your hand. (A pause.)

Sannaes. Are you serious for once?

Valborg. I mean it, seriously.

Sannaes (in a happier voice). You really set a value on it?

Valborg. A great value.

Sannaes (going up to her). Here it is, then!

Valborg (turning and taking his hand). I accept the hand you offer me.

Sannaes (turning pale). What do you mean?

Valborg. I mean that for some time past I have known that I should be

proud to be the wife of a man who has loved me, and me alone, ever since

he was a boy, and has saved my father and us all.

Sannaes. Oh, Miss Valborg!

Valborg. And you wanted to go away, rather than offer me your hand; and

that, only because we had accepted help from you--and you did not think

we were free agents! That was too much; and, as you would not speak, I

had to!

Sannaes (kneeling to her). Miss Valborg!

Valborg. You have the most loyal nature, the most delicate mind, and the

warmest heart I have ever known.

Sannaes. This is a thousand times too much!

Valborg. Next to God, I have to thank you that I have become what I

am; and I feel that I can offer you a life's devotion such as you would

rarely find in this world.

Sannaes. I cannot answer because I scarcely realise what you are saying.

But you are saying it because you are sorry for me, now that I have to

go away, and feel that you owe me some gratitude. (Takes both her

hand in his.) Let me speak! I know the truth better than you, and have

thought over it far more than you. You are so immeasurably above me in

ability, in education, in manners--and a wife should not be able to look

down on her husband. At all events, I am too proud to be willing to be

exposed to that. No, what you are feeling now is only the result of your

beautiful nature, and the recollection of it will hallow all my life.

All the pain and all the happiness I have known have come from you. Your

life will be one of self-renunciation; but, God knows there are many

such! And my burden will be lightened now, because I shall know

that your good wishes will always be with me. (Gets up.) But part we

must--and now more than ever! For I could not bear to be near you unless

you were mine, and to make you mine would only mean misery for us both

after a little while!

Valborg. Sannaes--!

Sannaes (holding her hands and interrupting her). I entreat you not to

say anything more! You have too much power over me; do not use it to

make me sin! For it would be that--a great sin--to put two honest hearts

into a false position, where they would distress one another, even

perhaps get to hate one another.

Valborg. But let me--

Sannas (letting go her hands and stepping back). No, you must not tempt

me. Life with you would mean perpetual anxiety, for I should never

feel equal to what it would demand of me! But now I can part from you

comforted. There will be no bitterness in my heart now; and by degrees

all my thoughts of the past and of you will turn to sweetness. God bless

you! May every good fortune go with you! Good-bye! (Goes quickly towards

the house.)

Valborg. Sannaes! (Follows him.) Sannaes! Listen to me! (SANNAES takes

up his coat and gloves, and, as he rushes out without looking where

he is going, runs full tilt into BERENT who comes in at that moment

followed by JAKOBSEN.)

Sannaes. I beg your pardon! (Rushes out to the right.)

Berent. Are you two playing a game of blind man's buff?

Valborg. God knows we are!

Berent. You need not be so emphatic about it! I have had forcible

evidence of it. (Rubs his stomach and laughs.)

Valborg. You must excuse me! Father is in there. (Points to the left and

goes hurriedly out to the right.)

Berent. We don't seem to be getting a particularly polite reception!

Jakobsen. No, we seem to be rather in the way, Mr. Berent.

Berent (laughing). It looks like it. But what has been going on?

Jakobsen. I don't know. They looked as if they had been fighting, their

faces were so flushed.

Berent. They looked upset, you mean?

Jakobsen. Yes, that's it. Ah, here is Mr. Tjaelde! (To himself.) Good

Lord, how aged he looks! (Withdraws into the background as BERENT goes

forward to greet TJAELDE, who comes in.)

Tjaelde (to BERENT). I am delighted to see you! You are always welcome

in our little home--and this year more welcome than ever!

Berent. Because things are going better than ever this year! I

congratulate you on your discharge--and also on your determination to

pay everything in full!

Tjaelde. Yes, if God wills, I mean to--

Berent. Well, things are going splendidly, aren't they?

Tjaelde. So far, yes.

Berent. You are over the worst of it, now that you have laid the

foundations of a new business and laid them solidly.

Tjaelde. One of the things that have given me the greatest encouragement

has been the fact that I have won your confidence--and that has gained

me the confidence of others.

Berent. I could have done nothing unless you had first of all done

everything. But don't let us say any more about it!--Well, the place

looks even prettier than it did last year.

Tjaelde. We do a little more to it each year, you know.

Berent. And you are still all together here?

Tjaelde. So far, yes.

Berent. Ah, by the way, I can give you news of your deserter. (TJAELDE

looks surprised.) I mean your lieutenant!

Tjaelde. Oh--of him! Have you seen him?

Berent. I was on the same boat coming here. There was a very rich girl

on board.

Tjaelde (laughing). Oh, I see!

Berent. All the same, I don't think it came to any thing. It is rather

like coming upon a herd of deer when you are stalking; after your first

shot, you don't find it so easy to get another; they have grown wary!

Jakobsen (who during this conversation has been screwing up his courage

to address TJAELDE). I--I am a pig, I am! I know that!

Tjaelde (taking his hand). Oh, come, Jakobsen--!

Jakobsen. A great blundering pig!--But I know it now!

Tjaelde. That's all right! I can tell you I am delighted to be able to

set affairs straight between you and me.

Jakobsen. I don't know what to answer. It goes to my heart! (Shakes his

hand heartily.) You are a far better man than I,--and I said so to my

wife. "He's a splendid fellow," I said.

Tjaelde (releasing his hand). Let us forget everything except the happy

days we have had together, Jakobsen! How do things go at the Brewery?

Jakobsen. At the Brewery! As long as folk ladle beer into their stomachs

at the rate they do now--

Berent. Jakobsen was kind enough to drive me out here. We had a most

amusing drive. He is a character.

Jakobsen (in an anxious undertone, to TJAELDE). What does he mean by

that?

Tjaelde. That you are different from most people.

Jakobsen. Ah!--I didn't feel sure, you know, whether he wasn't sitting

there making game of me, all the way here.

Tjaelde. How can you think such a thing? (To BERENT.) Do come into the

house. Excuse my going first; but my wife is not always quite prepared

to receive visitors since she has been able to do so little for herself.

(Goes into the house.)

Berent. I don't think Mr. Tjaelde seems to me to be looking in quite as

good form as I expected?

Jakobsen. Don't you? I didn't notice anything.

Berent. Perhaps I am mistaken. I think he meant us to follow him in,

didn't he?

Jakobsen. So I understood.

Berent. Then, as you have brought me so far, you must take me in to Mrs.

Tjaelde.

Jakobsen. I am quite at your service, sir. I have the deepest respect

for Mrs. Tjaelde--(hurriedly)--and of course for Mr. Tjaelde too. Of

course.

Berent. Yes. Well, let us go in.

Jakobsen. Let us go in. (He tries anxiously to keep in step with

BERENT'S peculiar walk, but finds it difficult.)

Berent. I think you had better not try. My step suits very few.

Jakobsen. Oh, I shall manage--! (They go out to the left. SANNAES comes

hurriedly in from the right, and crosses the stage; looks around; then

comes across to the foreground and leans with his back against a tree.

VALBORG comes in a moment later, comes forward, sees him, and laughs.)

Sannaes. There, you see, Miss Valborg; you are laughing at me.

Valborg. I don't know whether I want to laugh or to cry.

Sannaes. Believe me, you are mistaken about this, Miss Valborg. You

don't see things as plainly as I do.

Valborg. Which of us was it that was mistaken to-day?--and had to beg

pardon for it?

Sannaes. It was I, I know. But this is impossible! A real union of

hearts needs to be founded on more than respect--

Valborg (laughing). On love?

Sannaes. You misunderstand me. Could you go into society with me without

feeling embarrassed? (VALBORG laughs.) You see, the mere idea of it

makes you laugh.

Valborg (laughing). I am laughing because you are magnifying the least

important part of it into the most important.

Sannaes. You know how awkward and shy--in fact downright frightened I am

amongst those who--. (VALBORG laughs again.) There, you see--you can't

help laughing at the idea!

Valborg. I should perhaps even laugh at you when we were in society

together! (Laughs.)

Sannaes (seriously). But I should suffer horribly if you did.

Valborg. Believe me, Sannaes, I love you well enough to be able to

afford to have a little laugh sometimes at your little imperfections.

Indeed, I often do! And suppose we were out in society, and I saw you

weighed down under the necessity for pretty manners that do not come

easy to you; if I did laugh at you, do you think there would be any

unkindness behind my laughter? If others laughed at you, do you suppose

I would not, the very next moment, take your arm and walk proudly down

the room with you? I know what you really are, and others know it too!

Thank God it is not only bad deeds that are known to others in this

world!

Sannaes. Your words intoxicate me and carry me off my feet!

Valborg (earnestly). If you think I am only flattering you, let us put

it to the test. Mr. Berent is here. He moves in the very best society,

but he is superior to its littlenesses. Shall we take his opinion?

Without betraying anything, I could make him give it in a moment.

Sannaes (carried away). I want no one's opinion but yours!

Valborg. That's right! If only you feel certain of my love--

Sannaes (impetuously).--then nothing else will seem to matter; and that

alone will be able to teach me all that I lack, in a very short time.

Valborg. Look into my eyes!

Sannaes (taking her hands). Yes!

Valborg. Do you believe that nothing would ever make me ashamed of you!

Sannaes. Yes, I believe that.

Valborg (with emotion). Do you believe that I love you?

Sannaes. Yes! (Falls on one knee.)

Valborg. Deeply enough for my love to last all our lives--

Sannaes. Yes, yes!

Valborg. Then stay with me; and we will look after the old folk--and

replace them when, in God's good time, they are taken from us. (SANNAES

bursts into tears. TJAELDE, who has come to the window to show BERENT

his ledgers, happens to look up and sees VALBORG and SANNAES.)

Tjaelde (leaning out of the window, and speaking gently:) Valborg, what

has happened?

Valborg (quietly). Only that Sannaes and I are engaged to be married.

Tjaelde. Is it possible! (To BERENT, who is immersed in the accounts.)

Excuse me! (Hurries away from the window.)

Sannaes (who, in his emotion has heard nothing). Forgive me! It has been

such a long, hard struggle--and I feel overwhelmed!

Valborg. Let us go in to my mother.

Sannws (shrinking back). I can't, Miss Valborg--you must wait a little--

Valborg. Here they come. (TJAELDE comes in wheeling MRS. TJAELDE in her

chair. VALBORG runs to her mother and throws herself into her arms.)

Mrs. Tjaelde (softly). God be praised and thanked!

Tjaelde (going up to SANNAES and embracing him). My son!

Mrs. Tjaelde. So that was why Sannaes wanted to go away! Oh, Sannaes!

(TJAELDE brings SANNAES up to her. SANNAES kneels and kisses her hand,

then gets up and goes into the background, to recover himself. SIGNE

comes in.)

Signe. Mother, everything is ready now!

Mrs. Tjaelde. So are things out here!

Signe (looking round). Not really?

Valborg (to SIGNE). Forgive me for never having told you!

Signe. You certainly kept your secret well!

Valborg. I kept long years of suffering secret--that was all! (SIGNE

kisses her and whispers to her; then turns to SANNAES.)

Signe. Sannaes! (Shakes his hand.) So we are to be brother and

sister-in-law?

Sannaes (embarrassed). Oh, Miss Signe--

Signe. But you mustn't call me Miss Signe now, you know!

Valborg. You must expect that! He calls me "Miss" Valborg still!

Singe. Well, he won't be able to do that when you are married, anyway!

Mrs. Tjaelde (to TJAELDE). But where are our friends?

Tjaelde. Mr. Berent is in the office. There he is, at the window.

Berent (at the window). Now I am coming straight out to congratulate

you, with my friend Jakobsen. (Comes out.)

Valborg (going to TJAELDE). Father!

Tjaelde. My child!

Valborg. If we had not known those bad days we should never have known

this happy one! (He gives her a grip of the hand.)

Tjaelde (to BERENT). Allow me to present to you my daughter Valborg's

fiance--Mr. Sannaes.

Berent. I congratulate you on your choice, Miss Valborg--and I

congratulate the whole family on such a son-in-law.

Valborg (triumphantly). There, Sannaes!

Jakobsen. May I too, though I am only a stupid sort of chap, say that

this lad has been in love with you ever since he was in his teens--he

hardly could be sooner than that. But I can tell you, honestly, I should

never have credited you with having so much sense as to take him. (All

laugh.)

Mrs. Tjaelde. Signe is whispering to me that our dinner is getting cold.

Signe. May I take my mother's place and ask you to take me in to dinner,

Mr. Berent?

Berent (offering her his arm). I am honoured!--But our bridal pair must

go first!

Valborg. Sannaes--?

Sannaes (whispers, as he gives her his arm). To think that I have you

on my arm! (They go into the house, followed by BERENT and SIGNE, and by

JAKOBSEN.)

Tjaelde (bending over his wife, as he prepares to wheel her chair in).

My dear, God has blessed our house now!

Mrs. Tjaelde. My dear man!

Curtain.

THE KING

A PLAY IN A PROLOGUE AND FOUR ACTS

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

The KING.

HARALD GRAN, a rich manufacturer.

KOLL, Chief Magistrate of the district.

FLINK.

CLARA ERNST.

The PRINCESS.

BARONESS MARC.

ANNA, a deaf and dumb girl.

FALBE.

The MAYOR.

NATHALIE, his daughter.

ALSTAD.

VILHELM, his son.

The PARISH PRIEST.

BANG, a rich trader.

VINAeGER.

COUNT PLATEN.

The GENERAL.

MATILDE.

A Ballad Singer.

A Young Beggar.

A Servant of the King's.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Masked Dancers,

Work-people,

Farmers, etc.

PROLOGUE

(SCENE.--A large gothic hall, brilliantly illuminated, in which a masked

ball is taking place. At the rise of the curtain a ballet is being

performed in the centre of the hall. Masked dancers are grouped around,

watching it. Two of them, women, are conversing on the right of the

stage.)

First Mask. Have you heard that the King is to be here to-night?

Second Mask. Yes, and since I heard it I have been imagining I saw him

everywhere.

First Mask (pointing). That is not he, is it?

Second Mask. He is taller than that.

First Mask. That one, then? Look, that one!

Second Mask. That one has spoken to me. He has too old a voice.

First Mask. Shall we see if we can find him?

Second Mask. Yes, come along!

(A number of girls, wearing similar costumes and all masked, have

meanwhile collected on the left side of the stage.)

First Girl. Are we all here?

Second Girl. All but Matilde.

Matilde. Here I am! Have you heard that the King is to be here?

All. Really?

Matilde. I don't know how he is dressed; but one of the masters of the

ceremonies told me he was to be here.

Several of the Girls. The dear King! (Two masked dancers, dressed as

Cats, pass by.)

Tom Cat. Do you hear that, my pet?

Puss. Miau!

Matilde. Let us try and discover him.

All. Yes, yes!

A Mask. And when we have discovered him--?

Matilde. Let us all dance round him!

All. Yes!

Tom Cat (to Puss). You had better look after your virtue, Miss!

Puss. Miau!

Tom Cat. Miau! (They pass out of sight.)

Matilde. Remember that we are all to meet here in a quarter of an hour!

All. Yes! (They disperse. The ballet comes to a close amidst universal

applause. Conversation among the dancers becomes general and animated.

The BARONESS MARC, disguised as an Old Woman, comes forward, talking to

another mask dressed as a Donkey.)

Baroness. I will never forgive you for that, my lord chamberlain.

The Donkey. But you frighten me clean out of my part, Baroness!

Baroness. If only I could understand how it happened!

The Donkey. After all, my dear Baroness, you cannot be expected to take

out all your schoolmistresses and their senior pupils on a leash!

Baroness. No, but I have particular reasons for wishing to look closely

after _her_. (All this time she has been persistently looking round the

room.) And in such a whirling crowd as this--

The Donkey. Let us lose ourselves in it, then! (He brays as they go out.

The PRINCESS, masked and dressed in a costume of the time of Louis

XV., comes forward accompanied by a Cavalier in a costume of the same

period.)

Princess (continuing a discussion). And I say that if a king has such

graces of mind and person as ours has, he may do anything he pleases.

Cavalier. _Anything_, Princess?

Princess. Anything that his mind prompts, provided that he do it

beautifully. (A GENTLEMAN-IN-WAITING, dressed in a costume of the same

period, approaches them.)

Gentleman-in-Waiting. I cannot discover him, your Royal Highness!

Princess. But he is here. He is _here_. And for a lady's sake. I am

certain I am right.

Cavalier. But I asked one of the masters of the ceremonies, and he knew

nothing about it.

Princess. Then it must have been one that has not been let into the

secret.

Cavalier. But, your Royal Highness--

Princess. Don't keep calling me "your Royal Highness," but get me a

description of the costume he is wearing. (The GENTLEMAN-IN-WAITING bows

and goes away.) And you and I will go on hunting--

Cavalier.--for the noble huntsman--

Princess.--who is being hunted himself! (Moves away, but stops

suddenly.) Who is that? (CLARA ERNST, masked and in peasant costume,

comes forward followed by a masked figure wearing a domino. He is

whispering to her over her shoulder. She keeps glancing about, as if

looking for some one.)

The Domino.--and there, in the enchanted castle, buried deep in the

wooded park--

Clara. Let me alone!

The Domino.--there we shall be greeted by a babbling fountain of

water--a nymph, holding the cup of joy high above her head--

Clara (anxiously). What can have become of her?

(Meanwhile one of the masked dancers has been following them, and now

turns back to join others.)

A Masked Dancer (pointing to the DOMINO). That is the King!

Another (quickly). But who is _she_?

The Domino.--on both sides, shady alleys leading to the doors of a

secret retreat; and there--

Clara (turning round). I despise you! (The dancing and music suddenly

stop. General consternation.)

The Baroness (starting forward as she hears CLARA voice.) Clara!

The Domino (taking CLARA's hand and leading her apart from the others).

Do you know who it is that you despise?

Clara (greatly agitated). Yes, I know who you are!--and that is why,

from the bottom of my heart, I despise you! (The music begins afresh,

covering the general consternation that has spread among the dancers.

The BARONESS comes forward with a cry of "Clara!" CLARA bursts into

tears and throws herself into her arms. Curtain.)

ACT I

SCENE I

(SCENE.--A large hall in Gran's factory. The walls are bare. On the

left, about half-way forward, is a small platform. A meeting of the

shareholders of a railway company is in progress. Facing the platform

are seated the gentry; the common herd, mainly farmers and work-people,

are sitting and standing about wherever they can find room. On the

right, large windows are standing open; through these another crowd

can be seen, listening from outside. GRAN is standing in front of the

platform, speaking to the meeting.)

Gran. And, as it was found impossible for the main line of the railway

to touch our town, we determined, rather than allow all our exertions

to be wasted, to construct a branch line on our own account. I had

the honour to be elected chairman of the board of directors of this

undertaking. No directors ever had more unrestricted powers than were

given to us--possibly because there were no two opinions as to the route

the line should take the natural formation of the ground indicated

it unmistakably. It was only when we approached the question of the

purchase of our rolling-stock that any dissension arose--not among the

directors, but among the shareholders. As the majority of the latter

are farmers and work-people, we had decided on buying only one class of

railway carriage of a type slightly more comfortable than the ordinary

third-class carriage. That is the extent of our misdeeds! To-day's

meeting will probably show what the general sense on the matter is. Our

powers being unlimited, we were under no obligation to consult any one

in the matter; but, notwithstanding that, we decided to call a meeting

of the shareholders and submit the question to them. And, on the

directors' behalf, I must thank the shareholders for having attended in

such numbers; young and old, men and women, I dare say quite a third

of the total number of shareholders are present. The meeting will now

proceed to elect a chairman. (Sits down.)

The Mayor (after a pause). I beg to move that Mr. Koll, our chief

magistrate, whom it is a great pleasure to see honouring this meeting

with his presence, have the further kindness to take the chair.

Gran. The motion before the meeting is that the Chief Magistrate shall

take the chair. Shall I assume it to be carried? (Silence follows.)

The Mayor. Yes. (Laughter.)

Gran. The meeting should preferably elect some one who may be considered

to be unaffected by considerations of party.

Alstad (half rising, with his glasses in his hand). Then we shall have

to send for some one that does not live in these parts! There is no one

of that sort left here! (Sits down, amidst laughter.)

The Priest. All authority springs from on high. Obedience to those set

in authority over us is obedience to the Almighty. But it is against

this very obedience that people are rebelling nowadays.

Gran. It is precisely some one to be in authority over us that we want

to elect. At present we have no one.

The Priest. No, that's just it. Every meeting nowadays seems to claim

authority on its own account. Let rather show our respect to actual

authority--such respect as we would show to our fathers. (Sits down.)

Gran. Then, as far as I can grasp the situation, the Chief Magistrate

has been proposed and seconded?

The Priest. Yes.

Gran. Does any one wish to propose any one else? (Silence.)

Alstad. May I request the Chief Magistrate to take the chair?

Koll (getting up). I don't know that it is any great compliment to be

elected in this way; but I will take the chair, for the sole reason of

enabling the meeting to proceed to business. (Takes his place on the

platform, and raps on the table with a mallet.) I declare the meeting

open.

Gran (getting up). Mr. Chairman!

Koll. Mr. Gran will address the meeting.

Gran. The motion proposed by the directors is this: "That only one class

of railway carriage shall be purchased, slightly more comfortable than

the ordinary third-class carriage." (Gives the motion in writing to the

chairman, and sits down.)

Koll. The following is the motion submitted to meeting. (Reads it out.)

Who wishes to speak on the motion? (Silence.) Come, some one must

speak on it--or I shall have to put it to the vote forthwith. (Silence,

followed by laughter here and there.)

The Priest. Mr. Chairman!

Koll. The Priest will address the meeting.

The Priest. I see, in this assembly, a number of young men, even a

number of maidens; and I feel bound to ask whether young men, and even

maidens, are to be allowed to take part in these proceedings?

Koll. Any shareholder that is of age has the right to.

The Priest. But St. Paul expressly tells us that women are not to speak

in public places.

Koll. Well, they can hold their tongues, then. (Laughter.)

The Priest. But even the fact of voting at a railway meeting does not

seem to me to be in accordance with the humility and modesty that both

Nature and the Scriptures indicate as characteristic of woman. I believe

it to be the first step on a wrong road. The apostle says--

Koll. We must leave them to decide the matter for themselves. Does any

one wish to--?

The Priest (interrupting him). Mr. Chairman, if you will not permit me

to quote the apostle, allow me at all events to say that the spectacle

of a young man voting against his father, or a woman voting against her

husband--

Koll. Will you tell me who could prohibit it? Does any one wish to

speak--?

The Priest (interrupting). The Scriptures prohibit it, Mr.

Chairman!--the Scriptures, which we are all bound to obey, even--

Gran (getting up and interrupting him). Mr. Chairman!

Koll. Mr. Gran will address the meeting.

Gran. I only want to ask whether--

The Priest. But _I_ was addressing the meeting!

Koll. Mr. Gran will address the meeting.

The Priest. I protest against that ruling!

Alstad (half rising). Our worthy Priest must obey authority. (Sits down

amidst laughter.)

The Priest. Not when it does an injustice! I appeal to the meeting!

Koll. Very good!--Will those in favour of the Priest addressing the

meeting kindly stand up? (No one gets up; and those who were previously

standing bob down. Laughter.) Carried unanimously, that the Priest do

not address the meeting. (The PRIEST sits down.) Mr. Gran will address

the meeting.

Gran (getting up). I withdraw from my right! (Renewed laughter.)

The Mayor (getting up). Mr. Chairman!

Koll. The Mayor will address the meeting.

The Mayor. I am one of many to whom this proposal of the directors seems

extraordinary, to say the least of it. Do they propose that the ladies

of my family--I will leave myself out of the question, for as a public

man I have to rub shoulders with all sorts of people--do they propose,

I say, that ladies who have been delicately brought up shall travel with

any Tom, Dick and Harry?--perhaps with convicts being conveyed to gaol,

or with journeymen labourers? Is his honour the Chief Magistrate, who is

a Commander of a noble Order of Knighthood, to travel side by side

with a drunken navvy? Supposing the King were to pay a visit to this

beautiful district, which has acquired such a reputation since so many

of the best people from town have taken villas here; is his Majesty to

make the journey in one of these third-class carriages, with the chance

of travelling in company with tradesman stinking of stale cheese?--with

folk who, moreover--well, perhaps in common decency I ought not to

go on, as ladies are present. (Laughter.) "Economy," I hear some one

suggest. That word is in great favour nowadays. But I should like to

know what economy there is getting your clothes soiled? (Laughter.) Does

a first-class carriage wear out sooner than a third class? It costs

more to build, no doubt, but that is soon made up by the higher fares

charged. I can discover no reasonable ground for this proposal, look at

it how you will from the commercial point of view. One has to look

at the _political_ aspect of the matter, to understand it; and I am

reluctant to drag in politics. I will only say, in conclusion, that it

must be those who have framed this proposal that expect to derive some

profit from it; the railway certainly would derive none. (Sits down.)

Koll. That last remark was a little like an accusation--

The Mayor (getting up). I only alluded to what is in every one's mind.

(Sits down.)

Koll. A speaker is not in order in making accusations, even though they

be assumed to be in every one's mind.--I see that Mr. Alstad wishes to

speak.

Alstad. Human nature is frail. That seems to me a sufficient explanation

of how such a proposal came to be laid before us. But honestly--for we

all ought to be honest!--it seems to me that any material advantage

it might bring would be more than counterbalanced by loss of esteem.

(Uproar.) There has been quite a different spirit in the place of late

years--what with the factories, and the stranger workmen, and the summer

visitors. We never used to have so much unrest or to hear so much of

this talk about "equality." And now, if we are to give the impression

that there is only one social class here--and that a third class--I

know that I shall be by no means alone in feeling offended. We certainly

don't want to sit on our work-people's laps; and, equally, we don't want

to have them sitting on ours. (Sits down.)

Gran. Our friend the Mayor is very fond of talking of his loyalty; but I

must say I am surprised at his dragging the King even into this matter.

As for the matter of the railway carriage in which one of so high degree

would travel here--well, if our carriages are not good enough, surely

his Majesty's private saloon can be used on our line as well as on

the main line. And as for any of us ordinary mortals who are afraid of

mixing with the common herd, surely they can sit together in carriages

by themselves. The carriages would be separate; they would only be of

the same kind. I think there would be little fear of their being exposed

to intrusion on the part of our country-folk. _They_ are much more apt

to be more timidly shy than is even desirable. On all small lines--even

on many of the bigger ones--it is the less luxurious carriages, the

second and third class, that for the cost of the more luxurious ones;

it is the third class that pays for the first. But that some passengers

should travel comfortably at the expense of those who travel less

comfortably, is what we wish to avoid. (Applause.) An old resident of

the yeoman class has reproached us with wishing to alter our customs.

Well, if one of our old customs is the aristocratic one which makes the

gulf that separates masters and men wider than it already is, all I can

say is that the sooner it is abolished the better; for it is not a good

custom; it is even a dangerous one. (Murmurs.) And as for the political

aspect of the question--

Koll. Don't you think we should leave politics out of the question?

Gran (bows, with a laugh). That is just what I was going to say, Mr.

Chairman; that we ought to leave politics out out of the question. (Sits

down, amidst laughter applause. The audience, first the younger men and

then the older farmers, begin arguing the matter with one another, more

and more loudly.)

Koll. I must beg the meeting to keep quiet, as long as this business is

under discussion. The Mayor wishes to speak.

The Mayor. I admit that I am loyal--

Koll. Those people outside must be quiet!

Alstad (going to the window). You must keep quiet!

The Mayor. I admit I am loyal! I count it a point of honour, as a native

of the place, to show his Majesty that our first thought when we planned

this railway was, at that important moment, that his Majesty might

possibly be pleased to manifest a desire to pay us a visit. "Let him use

his own private saloon," we are told! No, Mr. Chairman, that is not the

way to speak when we are speaking of his Majesty! And what about his

Majesty's suite? Are they to travel third class? What I say is that we

are casting a slight on his Majesty if we cast a slight on his railway

carriage--I should say, on his suite. And I go farther than that. I say

that his Majesty's functionaries are his Majesty's representatives, and

that it is casting an additional slight upon his Majesty not to show

a proper respect for them. I know that this jars upon the ears of many

present; they do not consider that a man who holds a public office

should be shown any more respect than any one else. The majority rules,

and the majority only thinks of its own interests and those of its

servile supporters. But even in this community of ours there is a

minority that bears the burden of its affairs and represents its honour;

and we will never consent to be dragged down into the mire of this

"equality" into which you want to plunge each and every one of us!

(Uproar.)

Koll. The honourable speaker appears to me to be trenching upon

politics--

The Mayor. Possibly I am, Mr. Chairman; but what honest man can shirk

the truth? Only compare the present state of things in this community

with what was the case when everything here was as it should be; when

the King and his officials were respected; when public affairs were in

the hands of those who knew how to direct them; when we used to have

singing competitions, shooting competitions, and other festal meetings

of that kind. And--yes--well--compare, I say, the conditions in those

days with our conditions to-day--that is to say, with all this talk of

"the people;" as, for instance--

Koll. It is railway carriages that we are discussing.

The Mayor. Quite so! But what is it that is at the bottom of this

proposal, Mr. Chairman? Does it not spring from that passion for

destruction, for a universal levelling which aims at abolishing the

monarchy, at destroying authority--

The Priest. And the Church too, my friend!

The Mayor.--and the Church, it is quite true! Yes, it is because they

desire the Church and--

Koll. It is railway carriages that we are discussing.

The Mayor. Exactly. But an old public official like myself, who once was

held in respect, when he sees the pillars of society tottering and feels

the keenest pang of sorrow at--

Koll. For the last time, it is railway carriages that we are discussing!

The Mayor (overcome by his feelings). I have no more say. (Sits down.)

Koll. Mr. Alstad wishes to speak.

Alstad (getting up). The question before the meeting is itself a small

matter; but it is the consequences of it that I fear. We may expect any

proposal of the same kidney now. Never let it be said that our community

was eager to range itself under this banner of "equality!" It bears too

old and honoured a name for that! But there is one thing I want to say.

We have always, before this, felt it an honour and a privilege to have

the richest man in these parts living amongst us. But when we see him

one of the most eager in support of a "popular" proposal of this sort,

then it appears, to me at all events, to be absolutely unaccountable

how--oh, well, I won't run the risk making what our chairman calls

"accusations"; I will sit down and hold my tongue. I have the right to

do that at all events. (Sits down.)

Koll. Mr. Gran will address the meeting.

Flink. Three cheers for Mr. Gran! (Almost the whole meeting cheers

lustily. KOLL shouts at them and hammers on the table with his mallet in

vain.)

Koll (when peace is restored). I must ask the meeting to show some

respect for its chairman. If not, I will leave the chair.--Mr. Gran will

address the meeting.

Gran. The plan that we are proposing is no new one. It has been in

practice for a long time. In America--

The Priest, Alstad, and others. Yes, in America!

The Mayor (getting up). Mr. Chairman, are we to have politics, after

all?

Koll. I cannot see that to mention America is to talk politics.

The Mayor. Then what is politics, if America isn't?

Koll. To talk politics is--for instance--to use the arguments your

worship did. Mr. Gran will proceed.

Gran. I see that the Priest wishes to speak. I shall be happy to give

way.

Koll. The Priest will address the meeting.

The Priest. I see here, in this assembly, a number of those whom I am

accustomed to address in more solemn surroundings. My dear

parishioners, it was for your sake that I came here. You have heard

for yourselves--the whole question is a political one; and, dear fellow

Christians, let me entreat you to shun politics! Did not our Lord

Himself say: "My kingdom is not of this world"? This freedom, this

equality, of which they talk is not the soul's freedom, not that

equality which--

Koll. I would suggest to the reverend speaker that he should postpone

his remarks until the next time he gets into the pulpit. (Slight

laughter.)

The Priest. One should be instant in season and out of season;

therefore--

Koll. I forbid you to continue.

The Priest. It is written: "Thou shalt obey God rather than man"! My

dear parishioners, let us all leave this meeting! Who will follow his

priest? (Takes a few steps towards the door, but no one follows him.

Laughter. He sighs deeply, and sits down again.)

Koll. If no one else wishes to speak--

Vinaeger. Mr. Chairman!

Koll. Mr. Vinaeger wishes to speak.

Vinaeger. These proceedings remind me of China, and of the Chinese

mandarins who will not allow any one of lesser degree to come near

them--although at moments I have felt as if I were still in Europe

in the presence of a still greater power, greater even than the Grand

Turk--I mean this democratic envy which grudges others what it has

not got itself. To reconcile both parties I should like to make the

following suggestion. Build the carriages, as is often done, in two

stories. Then those who wish to ensure their privacy can do so by

sitting upstairs; and the others will be satisfied too, because they

will all be in the same carriage after all. (Loud laughter.)

Koll. If no one else wishes to speak (looks at GRAN, who shakes his

head) I shall proceed to put the question to the vote. The motion

submitted by the directors, which is now before the meeting, is as

follows--

The Mayor. Excuse me, but what of my motion wit h regard to a saloon for

his Majesty?

Koll. I did not understand your worship to mean your suggestion as a

formal motion.

The Mayor. I did, though.

Koll. Then I will put it to the vote after the director, motion has been

voted upon.

The Mayor. A motion that concerns the King should take precedence of all

others.

Koll. Even the King is subject to the rules of logic. The directors'

motion is: "That only one class of railway carriage shall be purchased,

of a type slightly more comfortable than the ordinary third-class

carriage." Will those in favour of the motion kindly go to the left--on

this side of the room; those against the motion, to the right. (Nearly

all go to the left. Cheers are heard outside, and are gradually taken

up by those inside. KOLL hammers with his mallet.) Order, please! (The

cheering ceases, but an animated conversation goes on.) The directors'

motion is carried!

The Mayor (shouting). I am sure every one did not understand the method

of voting!

Koll (hammering with his mallet). Order, order. (Quiet is gradually

restored.) What did your worship say?

The Mayor. That some people must have misunderstood the way of voting;

because I see my daughter Natalie, who is a shareholder too, on the

other side of the room. Of course she has made a mistake.

Natalie. Oh no, father, I haven't. (Loud laughter, and applause.)

The Priest. Ah, my poor deluded parishioners, I shall pray for you!

The Mayor. Order!--The Mayor's motion--

Alstad. I would suggest that the Mayor should withdraw it. We know what

its fate would be in such a meeting as this.

Koll. As long as I occupy the chair, I shall not permit any derogatory

expressions to be applied to the meeting. Does the Mayor still insist on

his motion being put? (Whispers to him: "Say no!")

The Mayor. No.

Koll. Then, as no one else wishes to speak, I declare the meeting at an

end. (Every one begins to move about and discuss affairs vigorously.)

Alstad (to his son VILHELM). So you have the face to vote with

these--these Americans, against your old father, have you?

Vilhelm. Well, father, I honestly think--

Alstad. Just you wait till I get you home!

Vilhelm. Oh, that's it, is it? Then I shan't go home--so there! I shall

stay here and get drunk, I shall.

Alstad. Oh, come, come!

Vilhelm. Yes, I shall! I shall stay here and get drunk!

Alstad. But, Vilhelm, listen to me! (Takes him by the arm. Meantime a

STRANGER has taken KOLL and GRAN by the arm, to their manifest surprise,

and brought the forward away from the crowd. He stands for a moment,

looking them in the face, till suddenly KOLL gives a start and cries

out: "The King!")

The King. Hush!

Gran. It really is--!

The King (to GRAN). You are at home here; take up into a room--and give

us some champagne. My throat is as dry as a lime-kiln!

Curtain

SCENE II

(SCENE.--A room built in Gothic style, comfortably furnished and

decorated with trophies of the chase. GRAN ushers in the KING and KOLL.)

Gran. We can be quite alone here. (ANNA, a deaf and dumb girl of about

fifteen, brings in some bottles of champagne, and, during the following

dialogue, sets out glasses, refreshments, cigars, and pipes. She is

quick and attentive to render the slightest service required of her;

when not employed, she sits on a stool in the background. She talks to

GRAN on her fingers, and receives orders from him in the same manner.)

The King. Ah, this is like old times! I know the setting: "Gothic room

in mediaeval style, decorated with trophies of the chase. Furnished with

an eye to bachelor comfort!" You always had bachelor habits, you know,

even when you were quite a boy. (To KOLL.) We never called him anything

but "the Bachelor" on board ship. He never had a love affair in all the

three years our cruise lasted; but the rest of us had them in every port

we touched at!

Koll. He is just the same in that respect now.

Gran (offering the KING some champagne). Allow me!

The King. Thanks; I shall be glad of it. (To KOLL.) Your health, my

former tutor! (To GRAN.) And yours! (They drink.) Ah, that has done me

good!--Well now, let me ask you this: isn't it true that, all through

the meeting, you were talking nothing but republicanism, although you

didn't actually mention the word?

Koll (laughing). You are not far wrong.

The King. And you, who in the old days were considered to be too

advanced in your opinions to be retained as my tutor, are now not

considered advanced enough! They nearly--threw you over, didn't they?

Koll. Yes! That shows you, if I may say so, the result of government by

a minority.

The King. And the result of mixing with such people as our excellent

friend the millionaire here, I suppose?

Gran. It is always a mistake to lay the blame of public opinion on

individuals.

The King. I quite agree with you. And now it is time you knew the reason

of my coming here--in the strictest incognito, as you see. By the way, I

hope no one recognised me?

Gran and Koll. Not a soul!

(FLINK comes in.)

Flink. Ah, here you are! (Comes forward, rubbing his hands delightedly.)

Well, what did you think of the meeting, my boys?

The King (aside to GRAN). Who is that?

Gran (to the KING). We will get rid of him. (To FLINK.) Look here, old

chap--!

Flink (catching sight of the KING). Oh, I beg your pardon, I thought we

were--

Gran (obliged to introduce him). Let me introduce Mr.--? Mr.--? (Looks

at the KING inquiringly.)

The King. Speranza.

Flink. An Italian?

The King. In name only.

Gran (completing the introduction). Mr. Flink.

The King. Surely not A. B. Flink?

Gran. Yes.

The King (interested). Our peripatetic philosopher? (Shakes hands with

him.) I have read one or two of your books.

Flink (laughing). Really?

The King. Are you meditating another expedition?

Flink. That's it.

The King. And on foot?

Flink. Always on foot.

The King. Upon my word, I don't believe there is a man in the country

that can gauge popular opinion as accurately as you! Let us sit down and

have a chat. Do you drink champagne?

Flink. Yes--when I can't get anything better!

The King (lifting his glass to FLINK). Your health, (They all drink, and

then seat themselves.) What part the country were you in last?

Flink. I have just been shooting with our friend here.

The King. So he is your friend? He is mine, too! My best friend, ever

since I was a boy. (He stretches out his hand; GRAN gets up and grasps

it in both of his.)

Koll (to FLINK, who is looking astonished). Mr. Speranza was a naval

cadet at the same time as Gran.

Flink. Really! Were they on the same ship?

The King. Yes, we were on a cruise round the world together--

Flink. Do you mean the time when the Prince went on account of his

lungs?--the present King, I mean?

The King. The Prince that afterwards became King--yes.

Flink. There is quite a royal flavour about our little gathering, then!

Here is the King's shipmate, and here is his tutor in jurisprudence--

Koll. You are forgetting yourself! You are the King's tutor's tutor, you

know--

The King. Were you Koll's tutor? Really?

Flink (with a laugh). Yes, I had that misfortune!

The King. You hadn't so great a misfortune in your pupil as he had in

his!

Koll. The King was a very apt pupil.

Flink (jestingly). He has shown traces of it in his reign, hasn't he!

Koll. Don't speak ill of the King, please.

Flink (ironically). Heaven forbid! (Takes a pinch of snuff.) I know

all about his talent--his great talent, his genial talent! (Offers his

snuff-box to the KING.)

Gran. But it was public opinion we were talking about, Flink; is it very

much like what we heard to-day?

Flink. I wouldn't say that; your opinions are rather advanced in these

parts.

The King. Is the tendency republican, rather than monarchical?

Flink. That depends how you look at it. The King has just been paying

some visits in the country districts; he is, so to speak, the commercial

traveller for his firm--as all kings and crown princes are. Of course he

was cheered everywhere. But go and ask the agricultural classes if

they set great store by the pomp and circumstance of royalty; they will

unanimously answer: "It costs an infernal lot to keep up!" Ha, ha, ha!

Gran. Your farmer is a realist.

Flink. A brutal realist! Ha, ha, ha! Self-government is cheaper. He has

it all at his fingers' ends, the scoundrel!

The King. He is not a republican by conviction, then

Flink. Not universally, no. At least, not _yet_. But things are moving

that way; and our reactionary government is helping the movement--that,

and the letter they get from America.

The King. The letters they get from America?

Koll. Letters from their relations in America.

Gran. There is scarcely a family in the country now that has not

relations in America.

The King. And they write home about self-government?--about republican

principles?

Flink. And republican institutions. That is the situation!

The King. Have you read any of these letters?

Flink. Lots!

The King. This is excellent champagne! (Drinks.)

Gran. Let me fill your glasses. (They all drink.)

Flink. It doesn't really agree with me.

The King. But suppose the King were to establish democratic government?

Suppose he were to live like an ordinary citizen in every way?

Flink. In every way? What do you mean by that?

The King. Kept house like an ordinary citizen--were married like an

ordinary citizen--were to be found in his office at regular hours like

any other official?

Gran. And had no court, I suppose?

The King. No. (KOLL and GRAN exchange glances.)

Flink (shrugging his shoulders). It would be the last sensation left for

him to try.

The King (who did not observe his shrug, eagerly). That is so, isn't it?

You agree with me as to that? I am delighted to have had this talk with

you, Mr. Flink.

Flink. The same to you, Mr.--Mr.--. (In an undertone, to KOLL.) Is he a

republican?

The King (who has overheard him). Am I a republican? I have had too

much experience not to be! Ha, ha! (Takes up his glass.) Devilish good

champagne, this!

Flink (drinking). But, you know, Mr.--Mr. Republican--ha, ha!--(smiles

and whispers)--the King simply would not be allowed to do what you

suggest. Ha, ha!

The King. What do you mean?

Gran (aside to KOLL, who gets up). Are you sure this is right?

Koll. It will do him good, anyway, to hear all sides.

Flink (who has got up and gone to the table on the other side to get a

pipe). He simply would not be allowed to, poor chap! What is monarchy,

I ask you? Nothing more or less than an insurance business in which

a whole crew of priests, officials, noblemen, landed proprietors,

merchants and military men hold shares? And, goodness knows, _they_ are

not going to give their director leave to commit any such folly! Ha, ha,

ha!

The King (getting up). Ha, ha, ha!

Flink (vociferously, to him). Don't you think that is true?

The King. Good Lord!--perfectly true! Ha, ha ha!

Flink (who has cleaned and filled a pipe, but forgotten to light it,

going up to the KING). And what do they insure themselves again,

these beauties? (More seriously.) Against the great mass of the

people--against _his_ people! (The KING looks at him and makes a

movement of dislike.)

Gran. Look here, Flink; suppose we go out into the garden for a little?

These spring evenings are so lovely.

Flink. Compared to a political talk, the loveliest spring evenings have

no attraction for me--no more than warm water, offered me in place of

fine cooling wine, would have. No, let us stay where we are. What is the

matter with this pipe? (ANNA signs that she will put it right for him,

but he does not understand.)

Gran. Give her your pipe; she will put it right.

Koll. What I have always said is that, if the King had an opportunity of

understanding the situation, he would interfere.

Flink. The King? He doesn't care a brass farthing about the whole

matter! He has something else to do! Ha, ha!

The King. Ha, ha, ha!

Koll. The King is an unusually gifted man; he would not remain

indifferent in the long run.

Flink. He has so many unusual gifts that have gone to the devil--!

The King. Tralalla! Tralalalalala! Tralala! It feels quite odd to be

with you fellows again! (Drinks.)

Flink (in an undertone, to GRAN). Is he drunk?

The King (sitting down). Give me a cigar--! And let us discuss the

matter a little more seriously. (KOLL and GRAN sit down.)

Gran. As a matter of fact, it is not a thing that can be discussed.

It must be tried. If, one day, the King were to say: "I mean to live

a natural life among my people, and to withdraw my name from the

old-established royal firm, which has lost all its reputation for

honesty"--that day everything else would follow of itself.

Flink. Yes, that day, I dare say!

Gran. Remember you are the guest of a man who is a friend of the King's!

The King. Don't play the domestic despot--you who are a republican! Let

us have free discussion!

Flink. I certainly don't intend to insult the King. He has never done me

any harm. But surely you will allow me to doubt whether he is really the

shining light you make him out to be?

The King. That is true enough!

Flink (eagerly). You agree with me as to that, then?

The King. Absolutely! But--leaving him out of the question--suppose we

_had_ a king who made himself independent of others, and, as a necessary

consequence, rose superior to questions of party--?

Flink (interrupting him). It is a vain supposition, my dear fellow! A

king bound to no party? (Puffs at his pipe.) It wouldn't work!

(Puffs again.) It wouldn't work!--It wouldn't work!--Falsehood is the

foundation of constitutional monarchy. A king superior to questions of

party? Rubbish!

Gran. It would be expecting something superhuman of him, too.

Flink. Of course it would!

The King. But the president of a republic is even less independent of

party, isn't he?

Flink (turning to hint). He doesn't make any pretence that he isn't.

Haha! That's the difference! (Comes forward, repeating to himself.) It

is the falsehood that makes the difference.

Koll. Oh, there are falsehoods enough in republics too, unfortunately!

Flink. I know; but they are not old-established institutions! Ha, ha!

The King. That is an idea you have got from Professor Ernst's writings.

Flink (eagerly). Have you read them?

The King. I have scarcely read anything else for the last few months.

(KOLL and GRAN exchange glances.)

Flink. Indeed?--Then there is no need for me to say anything more.

Koll. But, after all this talk, we have got no further. Our friend

(pointing to the KING) wants to know, I think, whether a real, serious

attempt at what one might call "democratic monarchy" could not reckon on

being understood and supported--

The King (breaking in, eagerly). Yes, that's just it!

Koll.--understood and supported by the most enlightened section of the

people, who are weary of falsehood and long for a generous but secure

measure of self-government.

The King. That's just it!

Flink (who was just going to sit down, jumps up again, lays down

his pipe and stands with arms akimbo, as he says:) But what sort of

ridiculous ideas are these? Aren't you republicans, then?

Koll. I am not.

Gran. I am; but that does not prevent my being of opinion that the

change of government should be made gradually and gently--

Flink. That would be treason!

Gran. Treason!

Flink. Treason against the truth--against our convictions!

Koll. Don't let us use big words! Monarchy is strongly rooted in the

existing order of things.

Flink (with a laugh). In the insurance company!

Koll. Well, call it so if you like. It _exists_; that is the point. And,

since it exists, we must make it as honest and as serviceable as we can.

The King. Your health, Koll! (Drinks to him.)

Flink (moving away from them). No true republican would agree with you.

Gran. You are wrong there. (FLINK gives a start of surprise.)

The King (who has seen FLINK's surprise, gets up). Listen to me! Suppose

we had a king who said: "Either you help me to establish a democratic

monarchy--purged of all traces of absolutism, purged of falsehood--or

else I abdicate--"

Flink. Bah!

The King. I only say, "suppose"! You know quite well that the cousin of

the present king, the heir apparent, is a bigoted--

Koll (who has been exchanging glances with GRAN while the KING was

speaking, breaks in hurriedly). Don't go on!

The King (with a laugh). I won't!--And his mother, who rules him--

Flink.--is even worse!

The King. What would be your choice, then? Would you help the king to

establish a democratic monarchy or--?

Flink (impetuously). I would ten thousand times rather have the bigoted

prince, with all his own and his mother's follies!--the madder the

better!

Gran. No, no, no, no!

The King (to GRAN and KOLL). We see his true colours now! (Moves away

from them.)

Koll (to FLINK). That is the way you republicans always ride your

principles to death.

Gran. Patriotism ought to come before--

Flink.--before truth? No; a short sharp pang of agony is better than

endless doubt and falsehood, my friend! That is true patriotism.

Koll. Oh, these theories!--these phrases!

Gran. I am a republican as well as you, and, I think, as sincere a one.

But I should have no hesitation--

Flink.--in playing the traitor?

Gran. Why do you use such words as that?

Flink. Words! Do you think it is nothing but words? No, my friend, if

you did what--what I did not allow you to say--I should come here one

day to call you to account. And if you refused to fight me, I should

shoot you like a dog!

Gran (gently). You would not do that.

Flink (heatedly). Not do it?--Have I given you the deepest affection of

which my heart is capable, only for you to turn traitor to it? Am I

to see the man whose character is the crowning achievement of my life,

betraying our cause--and, by reason of his great personal

prestige, dragging thousands down with him? On the head of all the

disillusionments I have suffered, am I to have this one in the evening

of my life--? (Stops, overcome by his emotion. A pause.) You shouldn't

jest about such things you know. (Walks away. ANNA has placed herself in

front of GRAN, as if to protect him.)

Koll. I think we had better change the subject, and go out for a little!

The King (aside, to him). Yes, get him away!

Flink (in the background, as if he were addressing an invisible

audience). We must have discipline in the ranks!

Koll. Gran, ask your maid to hurry up with the supper.

Gran. Yes, I will.

Koll (to the KING). What do you say to a turn in the garden, meanwhile?

The King. By all means!

Flink (coming forward to GRAN). This friendship of yours with the

King--to which I had attached no particular importance--I hope it has

not altogether--(Stops short.)

Gran.--not altogether corrupted me, you mean?

Flink. Exactly.

The King (laughing). Politically?

Flink. Politics are not unconnected with morals, sir!

The King. But why get so heated, sir? We know that the present King is

a--

Koll (breaking in hurriedly). Don't say any more!

The King (with a laugh). You said yourself that he doesn't care a brass

farthing about the whole matter--he has something else to do! And so the

whole thing ends in smoke!

Flink (more amiably). I dare say you are right.

The King. Of course I am. You are all agreed that, under his rule,

republican sentiments are growing in real earnest.

Flink. You are right! He couldn't help things on better if he were a

republican himself, I assure you!

The King. Perhaps he _is_ a republican?

Flink (animatedly). Perhaps he _is_! Splendid! And works against his own

interests--!

The King. A sort of commercial traveller working for the downfall of his

own firm!

Flink (excitedly). For the downfall of his own firm! Splendid! Props

up his reactionary rule by means of royal pronouncements, confidential

communications, public speeches--

The King.--in a suicidal manner!

Flink. Splendidly suicidal! Ah, that makes you laugh, does it?

Koll. Hush, some one might hear us!

Flink. I don't care who hears us! (The KING bursts out laughing.) But

you ought, as one of the King's officials, to stop _his_ laughing!

(Points to the KING.) It's shocking!--It's high treason!

Koll. Listen to me!

Flink. You ought to arrest him for laughing like that! Suppose the

King--

Gran. That _is_ the King! (The KING goes on laughing. FLINK looks from

him to the others, and from the others to him.)