ALL _return_.
JUDGE. In the case of Alma Jonsson against the farmer
Alexandersson, Alexandersson is sentenced to pay a fine of one
hundred crowns for slander.
ALEXANDERSSON. But I saw her stealing with my own eyes!--That's
what one gets for being kind!
LAWYER. [_To_ ALMA JONSSON] What did I tell you! If you only
deny, everything is all right. Alexandersson acted like a fool
and denied nothing. If I had been his counsel, and he had
denied the charge, I should have challenged your witnesses, and
there you would have been!--Now we'll go out and settle up this
business.
[_Goes out with_ ALMA JONSSON _and the witnesses_.
ALEXANDERSSON. [_To the_ Sheriff] And perhaps I have now got to
give Alma her papers and write down that she has been honest and
faithful?
SHERIFF. That's none of my concern!
ALEXANDERSSON. [_To the_ Constable] And for a thing like this I
am to lose house and land! Who'd believe it, that justice means
honour for the thief and a flogging for him that's robbed! Damn
it!--Come and have a cup of coffee with a stick in it afterward,
Öman.
CONSTABLE. I'll come, but don't make a row.
ALEXANDERSSON. Yes, I'll be damned if I don't, even if it should
cost me three months!
CONSTABLE. Now please don't make a row--don't make a row!