more to his credit that he——
FIELDBO.
What? What is to his credit?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
You have misjudged him, my good Doctor. Look here. What do you say to
this?
FIELDBO.
Your son’s bill!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes; he has sent it to me.
FIELDBO.
Of his own accord?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Of his own accord, and unconditionally. It is fine; it is noble. From
this day forth, my house is open to him.
FIELDBO.
Think again! For your own sake, for your daughter’s——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Oh, let me alone! He is better than you in many ways. At any rate he is
straightforward, while you are underhand in your dealings.
FIELDBO.
I?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes, you! You have made yourself the master of this house; you come and
go as you please; I consult you about everything—and yet——
FIELDBO.
Well?—And yet?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
And yet there’s always something confoundedly close about you; yes, and
something—something uppish that I cannot endure!
FIELDBO.
Please explain yourself!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I? No, it is you that ought to explain yourself! But now you must take
the consequences.
FIELDBO.
We don’t understand each other, Chamberlain. I have no bill to give up
to you; yet, who knows but I may be making a greater sacrifice for your
sake?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Indeed! How so?
FIELDBO.
By holding my tongue.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Holding your tongue, indeed! Shall I tell you what I am tempted to do?
To forget my manners, use bad language, and join the League of Youth.
You are a stiff-necked Pharisee, my good Doctor; and that sort of thing
is out of place in our free society. Look at Stensgård; he is not like
that; so he shall come here whenever he likes; he shall—he shall——! Oh,
what’s the use of talking——! You must take the consequences; as you make
your bed, so you must lie.
LUNDESTAD.
[_Enters from the back._] My congratulations, Chamberlain! May you long
enjoy the respect and——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Oh, go to the devil—I’m almost inclined to say! That’s all humbug, my
dear Lundestad. There’s nothing but humbug in this world.
LUNDESTAD.
That is what Mr. Monsen’s creditors are saying.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Ah, about Monsen—didn’t it come upon you like a thunderbolt?
LUNDESTAD.
Oh, you have often prophesied it, Chamberlain.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
H’m, h’m;—yes, to be sure I have. I prophesied it only the day before
yesterday; he came here trying to get money out of me——
FIELDBO.
It might have saved him.
LUNDESTAD.
Impossible; he was too deep in the mire; and whatever is, is for the
best.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
That is your opinion? Was it for the best, then, that you were beaten at
the poll yesterday?
LUNDESTAD.
I wasn’t beaten; everything went just as I wanted. Stensgård is not a
man to make an enemy of; he has got what we others have to whistle for.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I don’t quite understand what you mean——?
LUNDESTAD.
He has the power of carrying people away with him. And then he has the
luck to be unhampered by either character, or conviction, or social
position; so that Liberalism is the easiest thing in the world to him.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Well, really, I should have thought we were all Liberals.
LUNDESTAD.
Yes, of course we are Liberals, Chamberlain; not a doubt of it. But the
thing is that we are Liberal only on our own behalf, whereas Stensgård’s
Liberalism extends to other people. That’s the novelty of the thing.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
And you are going over to these subversive ideas?
LUNDESTAD.
I’ve read in old story-books about people who could summon up spirits,
but could not lay them again.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Why, my dear Lundestad, how can a man of your enlightenment——?
LUNDESTAD.
I know it’s mere popish superstition, Chamberlain. But new ideas are
like those spirits: it’s not so easy to lay them; the best plan is to
compromise with them as best you can.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
But now that Monsen has fallen, and no doubt his crew of agitators with
him——
LUNDESTAD.
If Monsen’s fall had come two or three days ago, things would have been
very different.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes, unfortunately. You have been too hasty.
LUNDESTAD.
Partly out of consideration for you, Chamberlain.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
For me?
LUNDESTAD.
Our party must keep up its reputation in the eyes of the people. We
represent the old, deep-rooted Norse sense of honour. If I had deserted
Stensgård, you know he holds a paper——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Not now.
LUNDESTAD.
What?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Here it is.
LUNDESTAD.
He has given it up to you?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes. Personally, he is a gentleman; so much I must say for him.
LUNDESTAD.
[_Thoughtfully._] Mr. Stensgård has rare abilities.
STENSGÅRD.
[_At the back, standing in the doorway._] May I come in?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
[_Going to meet him._] I am delighted to see you.
STENSGÅRD.
And you will accept my congratulations?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
With all my heart.
STENSGÅRD.
Then with all my heart I wish you happiness; And you must forget all the
stupid things I have written.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I go by deeds, not words, Mr. Stensgård.
STENSGÅRD.
How good of you to say so!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
And henceforth—since you wish it—you must consider yourself at home
here.
STENSGÅRD.
May I? May I really? [_A knock at the door._
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Come in.
_Several_ LEADING MEN _of the neighbourhood,_ TOWN COUNCILLORS, _etc.,
enter._ THE CHAMBERLAIN _goes to receive them, accepts their
congratulations, and converses with them._
THORA.
[_Who has meantime entered by the second door on the left._] Mr.
Stensgård, let me thank you.
STENSGÅRD.
You, Miss Bratsberg!
THORA.
My father has told me how nobly you have acted.
STENSGÅRD.
But——?
THORA.
Oh, how we have misjudged you!
STENSGÅRD.
Have you——?
THORA.
It was your own fault—— No, no; it was ours. Oh, what would I not do to
atone for our error.
STENSGÅRD.
Would you? You yourself? Would you really——?
THORA.
All of us would; if we only knew——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Refreshments for these gentlemen, my child.
THORA.
They are just coming.
[_She retires towards the door again, where a_ SERVANT _at the
same moment appears with cake and wine, which are handed
round._
STENSGÅRD.
Oh, my dear Lundestad! I feel like a conquering god.
LUNDESTAD.
So you must have felt yesterday, I suppose.
STENSGÅRD.
Pooh! This is something quite different; the final triumph; the crown of
all! There is a glory, a halo, over my life.
LUNDESTAD.
Oho; dreams of love!
STENSGÅRD.
Not dreams! Realities, glorious realities!
LUNDESTAD.
So brother Bastian has brought you the answer?
STENSGÅRD.
Bastian——?
LUNDESTAD.
Yes, he gave me a hint yesterday; he had promised to plead your cause
with a certain young lady.
STENSGÅRD.
Oh, what nonsense——
LUNDESTAD.
Why make a mystery of it? If you haven’t heard already, I can give you
the news. You have won the day, Mr. Stensgård; I have it from Ringdal.
STENSGÅRD.
What have you from Ringdal?
LUNDESTAD.
Miss Monsen has accepted you.
STENSGÅRD.
What?
LUNDESTAD.
Accepted you, I say.
STENSGÅRD.
Accepted me! And the father has bolted!
LUNDESTAD.
But the daughter hasn’t.
STENSGÅRD.
Accepted me! In the midst of all this family trouble! How unwomanly! How
repellant to any man with the least delicacy of feeling! But the whole
thing is a misunderstanding. I never commissioned Bastian—— How could
that idiot——? However, it doesn’t matter to me; he must answer for his
follies himself.
DANIEL HEIRE.
[_Enters from the back._] Hee-hee! Quite a gathering! Of course, of
course! We are paying our respects, propitiating the powers that be, as
the saying goes. May I, too——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Thanks, thanks, old friend!
HEIRE.
Oh, I protest, my dear sir? That is too much condescension. [_New_
GUESTS _arrive._] Ah, here we have the myrmidons of justice—the
executive—— I say no more. [_Goes over to_ STENSGÅRD.] Ah, my dear
fortunate youth, are you there? Your hand! Accept the assurance of an
old man’s unfeigned rejoicing.
STENSGÅRD.
At what?
HEIRE.
You asked me yesterday to run you down a little to her—you know——
STENSGÅRD.
Yes, yes; what then?
HEIRE.
It was a heartfelt pleasure to me to oblige you——
STENSGÅRD.
Well—and what happened then? How did she take it?
HEIRE.
Like a loving woman, of course—burst into tears; locked herself into her
room; would neither answer nor show herself——
STENSGÅRD.
Ah, thank goodness!
HEIRE.
It’s barbarous to subject a widow’s heart to such cruel tests, to go and
gloat over her jealous agonies! But love has cat’s eyes—— I say no more!
For to-day, as I drove past, there stood Madam Rundholmen, brisk and
buxom, at her open window, combing her hair. She looked like a mermaid,
if you’ll allow me to say so. Oh, she’s a fine woman!
STENSGÅRD.
Well, and then?
HEIRE.
Why, she laughed like one possessed, sir, and waved a letter in the air,
and called out “A proposal, Mr. Heire! I’m engaged to be married.”
STENSGÅRD.
What! Engaged?
HEIRE.
My hearty congratulations, young man; I’m inexpressibly pleased to be
the first to announce to you——
STENSGÅRD.
It’s all rubbish! It’s nonsense!
HEIRE.
What is nonsense?
STENSGÅRD.
You have misunderstood her; or else she has misunderstood——Engaged!
Preposterous! Now that Monsen’s down, she’ll probably——
HEIRE.
Not at all, sir, not at all! Madam Rundholmen has solid legs to stand
on.
STENSGÅRD.
No matter! I have quite other intentions. All that about the letter was
only a joke—a wager, as I told you. My dear Mr. Heire, do oblige me by
not saying a word to any one of this silly affair.
HEIRE.
I see, I see! It’s to be kept secret; it’s to be a romance. Ah, youth,
youth! it’s nothing if not poetical.
STENSGÅRD.
Yes, yes; mum’s the word. You shan’t regret it—I’ll take up your
cases——Sh! I rely upon you.
[_He retires._
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
[_Who has meanwhile been talking to_ LUNDESTAD.] No, Lundestad—_that_ I
really cannot believe!
LUNDESTAD.
I assure you, Chamberlain—Daniel Heire told me so himself.
HEIRE.
What did I tell you, may I inquire?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Did Mr. Stensgård show you a bill yesterday?
HEIRE.
Yes, by-the-bye——! What on earth was the meaning of all that?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I’ll tell you afterwards. And you told him——
LUNDESTAD.
You persuaded him it was a forgery?
HEIRE.
Pooh, a mere innocent jest, to bewilder him a little in the hour of
triumph.
LUNDESTAD.
And you told him both signatures were forged?
HEIRE.
Oh yes; why not both while I was about it?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
So that was it!
LUNDESTAD.
[_To the_ CHAMBERLAIN.] And when he heard _that_——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
He gave the bill to Ringdal!
LUNDESTAD.
The bill that was useless as a weapon of offence.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
He shams magnanimity! Makes a fool of me a second time! Gains admission
to my house, and makes me welcome him and thank him—this—this——! And
this is the fellow——
HEIRE.
Why, what are you going on about, my dear sir?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I’ll tell you all about it afterwards. [_Takes LUNDESTAD apart._] And
this is the fellow you protect, push forward, help to rise!
LUNDESTAD.
Well, he took you in, too!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Oh, I should like to——!
LUNDESTAD.
[_Pointing to_ STENSGÅRD, _who is speaking to_ THORA.] Look there! What
will people be fancying!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I shall soon put a stop to these fancies.
LUNDESTAD.
Too late, Chamberlain; he’ll worm himself forward by dint of promises
and general plausibility——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I, too, can manœuvre, Mr. Lundestad.
LUNDESTAD.
What will you do?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Just watch. [_Goes over to_ FIELDBO.] Doctor Fieldbo, will you do me a
service?
FIELDBO.
With pleasure.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Then turn that fellow out of my house.
FIELDBO.
Stensgård?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes, the adventurer; I hate his very name; turn him out!
FIELDBO.
But how can I——?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
That is your affair; I give you a free hand.
FIELDBO.
A free hand! Do you mean it? Entirely free?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes, yes, by all means.
FIELDBO.
Your hand on it, Chamberlain!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Here it is.
FIELDBO.
So be it, then; now or never! [_Loudly._] May I request the attention of
the company for a moment?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Silence for Doctor Fieldbo!
FIELDBO.
With Chamberlain Bratsberg’s consent, I have the pleasure of announcing
my engagement to his daughter.
[_An outburst of astonishment._ THORA _utters a slight scream._
THE CHAMBERLAIN _is on the point of speaking, but refrains.
Loud talk and congratulations._
STENSGÅRD.
Engagement! _Your_ engagement——
HEIRE.
With the Chamberlain’s——? With your——What does it mean?
LUNDESTAD.
Is the Doctor out of his mind?
STENSGÅRD.
But, Chamberlain——?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
What can I do? I am a Liberal. I join the League of Youth!
FIELDBO.
Thanks, thanks—and forgive me!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Associations are the order of the day, Mr. Stensgård. There is nothing
like free competition!
THORA.
Oh, my dear father!
LUNDESTAD.
Yes, and engagements are the order of the day. I have another to
announce.
STENSGÅRD.
A mere invention!
LUNDESTAD.
No, not a bit of it; Miss Monsen is engaged to——
STENSGÅRD.
False, false, I say!
THORA.
No, father, it’s true; they are both here.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Who? Where?
THORA.
Ragna and Mr. Helle. They are in here——
[_Goes towards the second door on the right._
LUNDESTAD.
Mr. Helle! Then it’s he——!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Here? In my house? [_Goes towards the door._] Come in, my dear child.
RAGNA.
[_Shrinking back shyly._] Oh, no, no; there are so many people.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Don’t be bashful; you couldn’t help what has happened.
HELLE.
She is homeless now, Chamberlain.
RAGNA.
Oh, you must help us!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I will, indeed; and thank you for giving me the opportunity.
HEIRE.
You may well say engagements are the order of the day. I have one to add
to the list.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
What? You? At your age?—How rash of you!
HEIRE.
Oh—! I say no more.
LUNDESTAD.
The game is up, Mr. Stensgård.
STENSGÅRD.
Indeed? [_Loudly._] _I_ have one to add to the list, Mr. Heire! An
announcement, gentlemen: I too have cast anchor for life.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
What?
STENSGÅRD.
One is now and then forced to play a double game, to conceal one’s true
intentions. I regard this as permissible when the general weal is at
stake. My life-work lies clear before me, and is all in all to me. I
consecrate my whole energies to this district; I find here a ferment of
ideas which I must strive to clarify. But this task cannot be
accomplished by a mere adventurer. The men of the district must gather
round one of themselves. Therefore I have determined to unite my
interests indissolubly with yours—to unite them by a bond of affection.
If I have awakened any false hopes, I must plead for forgiveness. I too
am engaged.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
You?
FIELDBO.
Engaged?
HEIRE.
I can bear witness.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
But how——?
FIELDBO.
Engaged? To whom?
LUNDESTAD.
It surely can’t be——?
STENSGÅRD.
It is a union both of the heart and of the understanding. Yes, my fellow
citizens, I am engaged to Madam Rundholmen.
FIELDBO.
To Madam Rundholmen!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
The storekeeper’s widow!
LUNDESTAD.
H’m. Indeed!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Why, my head’s going round! How could you——?
STENSGÅRD.
A manœuvre, Mr. Bratsberg!
LUNDESTAD.
He has rare abilities!
ASLAKSEN.
[_Looks in at the door, back._] I humbly beg pardon——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Oh, come in, Aslaksen! A visit of congratulation, eh?
ASLAKSEN.
Oh, not at all; I wouldn’t presume——But I have something very important
to say to Mr. Stensgård.
STENSGÅRD.
Another time; you can wait outside.
ASLAKSEN.
No, confound it; I must tell you——
STENSGÅRD.
Hold your tongue! What intrusiveness is this?—Yes, gentlemen, strange
are the ways of destiny. The district and I required a bond that should
bind us firmly together; and I found on my path a woman of ripened
character who could make a home for me. I have put off the adventurer,
gentlemen, and here I stand in your midst, as one of yourselves. Take
me; I am ready to stand or fall in any post your confidence may assign
me.
LUNDESTAD.
You have won.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Well, really, I must say——[_To the_ MAID, _who has entered from the
back._] Well, what is it? What are you giggling about?
THE SERVANT.
Madam Rundholmen——?
THE COMPANY.
Madam Rundholmen?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
What about her?
THE SERVANT.
Madam Rundholmen is waiting outside with her young man——
THE COMPANY.
[_To each other._] Her young man? Madam Rundholmen! How’s this?
STEANSGÅRD.
What nonsense!
ASLAKSEN.
Yes, I was just telling you——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
[_At the door._] Come along, come along!
BASTIAN MONSEN, _with_ MADAM RUNDHOLMEN _on his arm, enters
from the back. A general movement._
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
I hope I’m not intruding, sir——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Not at all, not at all.
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
But I couldn’t resist bringing up my young man to show him to you and
Miss Bratsberg.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes, I hear you are engaged; but——
THORA.
We didn’t know——
STENSGÅRD.
[_To Aslaksen._] How is all this——?
ASLAKSEN.
I had so much in my head yesterday; so much to think about, I mean——
STENSGÅRD.
But I gave her my letter, and——
ASLAKSEN.
No, you gave her Bastian Monsen’s; here is yours.
STENSGÅRD.
Bastian’s? And here——? [_Glances at the address, crumples the letter
together, and crams it into his pocket._] Oh, curse you for a blunderer!
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
Of course I was willing enough. There’s no trusting the men-folk, I
know; but when you have it in black and white that their intentions are
honourable——Why, there’s Mr. Stensgård, I declare. Well, Mr. Stensgård,
won’t you congratulate me?
HEIRE.
[_To_ LUNDESTAD.] How hungrily she glares at him.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Of course he will, Madam Rundholmen; but won’t you congratulate your
sister-in-law to be?
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
Who?
THORA.
Ragna; she is engaged too.
BASTIAN.
Are you, Ragna?
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
Indeed? Yes, Bastian told me there was something in the wind. I wish you
both joy; and welcome into the family, Mr. Stensgård!
FIELDBO.
No, no; not Stensgård!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
No, it’s Mr. Helle; an excellent choice. And, by-the-bye, you may
congratulate my daughter too.
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
Miss Bratsberg! Ah, so Lundestad was right, after all. I congratulate
you, Miss Thora; and you too, Mr. Stensgård.
FIELDBO.
You mean Doctor Fieldbo.
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
What?
FIELDBO.
I am the happy man.
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
Well, now, I don’t in the least know where I am.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
And we have just found out where we are.
STENSGÅRD.
Excuse me; I have an appointment——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
[_Aside._] Lundestad, what was the other word?
LUNDESTAD.
What other?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Not adventurer, but the other——?
LUNDESTAD.
Demagogue.
STENSGÅRD.
I take my leave.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
One word—only one word, Mr. Stensgård—a word which has long been on the
tip of my tongue.
STENSGÅRD.
[_At the door._] Excuse me; I’m in a hurry.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
[_Following him._] Demagogue!
STENSGÅRD.
Good-bye; good-bye! [_Goes out by the back._
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
[_Coming forward again._] Now the air is pure again, my friends.
BASTIAN.
I hope you don’t blame me, sir, for what has happened at home?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Every one must bear his own burden.
BASTIAN.
I had really no part in it.
SELMA.
[_Who, during the preceding scene, has been listening at the second door
on the right._] Father! Now you are happy;—may he come now?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Selma! You! You plead for him? After what happened two days ago——
SELMA.
Oh, two days are a long time. All is well now. I know now that he can go
astray——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
And that pleases you?
SELMA.
Yes, that he _can_; but in future I won’t let him.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Bring him in then.
[SELMA _goes out again to the right._
RINGDAL.
[_Enters by the foremost door on the right._] Here is your resignation.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Thanks; but you can tear it up.
RINGDAL.
Tear it up?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes, Ringdal; I have found another way. I can make atonement without
that; I shall set to work in earnest——
ERIK.
[_Enters with_ SELMA _from the right._] Can you forgive me?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
[_Hands him the bill._] I cannot be less merciful than fate.
ERIK.
Father! I shall retire this very day from the business you dislike so
much.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
No, indeed; you must stick to it. No cowardice! No running away from
temptation! But I will stand at your side. [_Loudly._] News for you,
gentlemen! I have entered into partnership with my son.
SEVERAL GENTLEMEN.
What? You, Chamberlain?
HEIRE.
You, my dear sir?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes; it is a useful and honourable calling; or at any rate it can be
made so. And now I have no reason to hold aloof any longer.
LUNDESTAD.
Well, I’ll tell you what, Chamberlain—since you are going to set to work
for the good of the district, it would be a shame and disgrace if an old
soldier like me were to sulk in his tent.
ERIK.
Ah, what is this?
LUNDESTAD.
I cannot, in fact. After the disappointments in love that have befallen
Mr. Stensgård to-day, Heaven forbid we should force the poor fellow into
the political mill. He must rest and recover; a change of air is what he
wants, and I shall see that he gets it. So if my constituents want me,
why, they can have me.
THE GENTLEMEN.
[_Shaking hands with him enthusiastically._] Thanks, Lundestad! That’s a
good fellow! You won’t fail us?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Now, this is as it should be; things are settling down again. But whom
have we to thank for all this?
FIELDBO.
Come, Aslaksen, you can explain——?
ASLAKSEN.
[_Alarmed._] I, Doctor? I’m as innocent as the babe unborn!
FIELDBO.
What about that letter, then——?
ASLAKSEN.
It wasn’t my fault, I tell you! It was the election and Bastian Monsen,
and chance, and destiny, and Madam Rundholmen’s punch—there was no lemon
in it—and there was I, with the whole responsibility of the press upon
me——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
[_Approaching._] What? What’s that?
ASLAKSEN.
The press, sir!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
The press! That’s just it! Haven’t I always said that the press has
marvellous influence in these days?
ASLAKSEN.
Oh, Chamberlain——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
No false modesty, Mr. Aslaksen! I haven’t hitherto been in the habit of
reading your paper, but henceforth I will. I shall subscribe for ten
copies.
ASLAKSEN.
Oh, you can have twenty, Chamberlain!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Very well, then; let me have twenty. And if you need money, come to me;
I mean to support the press; but I tell you once for all—I won’t write
for it.
RINGDAL.
What’s this I hear? Your daughter engaged?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes; what do you say to that?
RINGDAL.
I am delighted! But when was it arranged?
FIELDBO.
[_Quickly._] I’ll tell you afterwards——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Why, it was arranged on the Seventeenth of May.
FIELDBO.
What?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
The day little Miss Ragna was here,
THORA.
Father, father; did you know——?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes, my dear; I have known all along.
FIELDBO.
Oh, Chamberlain——!
THORA.
Who can have——?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Another time, I should advise you young ladies not to talk so loud when
I am taking my siesta in the bay window.
THORA.
Oh! so you were behind the curtains?
FIELDBO.
Now I understand!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Yes, you are the one to keep your own counsel——
FIELDBO.
Would it have been of any use for me to speak earlier?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
You are right, Fieldbo. These days have taught me a lesson.
THORA.
[_Aside to_ FIELDBO.] Yes, you can keep your own counsel. All this about
Mr. Stensgård—why did you tell me nothing?
FIELDBO.
When a hawk is hovering over the dove-cote, one watches and shields his
little dove—one does not alarm her.
[_They are interrupted by_ MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
HEIRE.
[_To the_ CHAMBERLAIN.] I’m sorry to tell you, Chamberlain, that the
settlement of our little legal differences will have to be adjourned
indefinitely.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Indeed! Why so?
HEIRE.
You must know I’ve accepted a post as society reporter on Aslaksen’s
paper.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I am glad to hear it.
HEIRE.
And of course you’ll understand—with so much business on hand——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Very well, my old friend; I can wait.
MADAM RUNDHOLMEN.
[_To_ THORA.] Yes, I can tell you he’s cost me many a tear, that bad
man. But now I thank the Lord for Bastian. The other was false as the
sea-foam; and then he’s a terrible smoker, Miss Bratsberg, and
frightfully particular about his meals. I found him a regular gourmand.
A SERVANT.
[_Enters from the left._] Dinner is on the table.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.