DRAMATISPERSONAE
KarstenBernick，ashipbuilder。
Mrs。Bernick，hiswife。
Olaf，theirson，thirteenyearsold。
MarthaBernick，KarstenBernick’ssister。
JohanTonnesen，Mrs。Bernick’syoungerbrother。
LonaHessel，Mrs。Bernick’selderhalf—sister。
HilmarTonnesen，Mrs。Bernick’scousin。
DinaDorf，ayounggirllivingwiththeBernicks。
Rorlund，aschoolmaster。
Rummel，amerchant。
VigelandandSandstad，tradesmanKrap，Bernick’sconfidentialclerk。
Aune，foremanofBernick’sshipbuildingyard。
Mrs。Rummel。
HildaRummel，herdaughter。
Mrs。Holt。
NettaHolt，herdaughter。
Mrs。Lynge。
Townsfolkandvisitors，foreignsailors，steamboatpassengers，etc。，etc。
（TheactiontakesplaceattheBernicks’houseinoneofthesmallercoasttownsinNorway）
ACTI。
（SCENE。——Aspaciousgarden—roomintheBERNICKS’house。IntheforegroundontheleftisadoorleadingtoBERNICK’Sbusinessroom；
fartherbackinthesamewall，asimilardoor。Inthemiddleoftheoppositewallisalargeentrance—door，whichleadstothestreet。Thewallinthebackgroundisalmostwhollycomposedofplate—glass；adoorinitopensuponabroadflightofstepswhichleaddowntothegarden；
asun—awningisstretchedoverthesteps。Belowthestepsapartofthegardenisvisible，borderedbyafencewithasmallgateinit。Ontheothersideofthefencerunsastreet，theoppositesideofwhichisoccupiedbysmallwoodenhousespaintedinbrightcolours。Itissummer，andthesunisshiningwarmly。Peopleareseen，everynowandthen，passingalongthestreetandstoppingtotalktooneanother；
othersgoinginandoutofashopatthecorner，etc。
Intheroomagatheringofladiesisseatedroundatable。MRS。BERNICK
ispresiding；onherleftsideareMRS。HOLTandherdaughterNETTA，andnexttothemMRS。RUMMELandHILDARUMMEL。OnMRS。BERNICK’SrightareMRS。LYNGE，MARTHABERNICKandDINADORF。Alltheladiesarebusyworking。Onthetableliegreatpilesoflinengarmentsandotherarticlesofclothing，somehalffinished，andsomemerelycutout。
Fartherback，atasmalltableonwhichtwopotsofflowersandaglassofsugaredwaterarestanding，RORLUNDissitting，readingaloudfromabookwithgiltedges，butonlyloudenoughforthespectatorstocatchawordnowandthen。OutinthegardenOLAFBERNICKisrunningaboutandshootingatatargetwithatoycrossbow。
AfteramomentAUNEcomesinquietlythroughthedoorontheright。
Thereisaslightinterruptioninthereading。MRS。BERNICKnodstohimandpointstothedoorontheleft。AUNEgoesquietlyacross，knockssoftlyatthedoorofBERNICK’Sroom，andafteramoment’spause，knocksagain。KRAPcomesoutoftheroom，withhishatinhishandandsomepapersunderhisarm。）
Krap：Oh，itwasyouknocking？
Aune：Mr。Bernicksentforme。
Krap：Hedid——buthecannotseeyou。Hehasdeputedmetotellyou——
Aune：Deputedyou？Allthesame，Iwouldmuchrather——
Krap：——deputedmetotellyouwhathewantedtosaytoyou。YoumustgiveuptheseSaturdaylecturesofyourstothemen。
Aune：Indeed？IsupposedImightusemyowntime——
Krap：Youmustnotuseyourowntimeinmakingthemenuselessinworkinghours。LastSaturdayyouweretalkingtothemoftheharmthatwouldbedonetotheworkmenbyournewmachinesandthenewworkingmethodsattheyard。Whatmakesyoudothat？
Aune：Idoitforthegoodofthecommunity。
Krap：That’scurious，becauseMr。Bernicksaysitisdisorganisingthecommunity。
Aune：MycommunityisnotMr。Bernick’s，Mr。Krap!AsPresidentoftheIndustrialAssociation，Imust——
Krap：Youare，firstandforemost，PresidentofMr。Bernick’sshipbuildingyard；and，beforeeverythingelse，youhavetodoyourdutytothecommunityknownasthefirmofBernick&Co。；thatiswhateveryoneofuslivesfor。Well，nowyouknowwhatMr。Bernickhadtosaytoyou。
Aune：Mr。Bernickwouldnothaveputitthatway，Mr。Krap!ButIknowwellenoughwhomIhavetothankforthis。ItisthatdamnedAmericanboat。Thosefellowsexpecttogetworkdoneherethewaytheyareaccustomedtoitoverthere，andthat——
Krap：Yes，yes，butIcan’tgointoallthesedetails。YouknownowwhatMr。Bernickmeans，andthatissufficient。Besogoodastogobacktotheyard；probablyyouareneededthere。Ishallbedownmyselfinalittlewhile。——Excuseme，ladies!（Bowstotheladiesandgoesoutthroughthegardenanddownthestreet。AUNEgoesquietlyouttotheright。RORLUND，whohascontinuedhisreadingduringtheforegoingconversation，whichhasbeencarriedoninlowtones，hasnowcometotheendofthebook，andshutsitwithabang。）
Rorlund：There，mydearladies，thatistheendofit。
Mrs。Rummel：Whataninstructivetale!
Mrs。Holt：Andsuchagoodmoral!
Mrs。Bernick：Abooklikethatreallygivesonesomethingtothinkabout。
Rorlund：Quiteso；itpresentsasalutarycontrasttowhat，unfortunately，meetsoureyeseverydayinthenewspapersandmagazines。Lookatthegildedandpaintedexteriordisplayedbyanylargecommunity，andthinkwhatitreallyconceals!——emptinessandrottenness，ifImaysayso；nofoundationofmoralitybeneathit。Inaword，theselargecommunitiesofoursnow—a—daysarewhitedsepulchres。
Mrs。Holt：Howtrue!Howtrue!
Mrs。Rummel：Andforanexampleofit，weneedlooknofartherthanatthecrewoftheAmericanshipthatislyingherejustnow。
Rorlund：Oh，Iwouldrathernotspeakofsuchoffscouringsofhumanityasthat。Buteveninhighercircles——whatisthecasethere？Aspiritofdoubtandunrestonallsides；mindsneveratpeace，andinstabilitycharacterisingalltheirbehaviour。Lookhowcompletelyfamilylifeisunderminedoverthere!Lookattheirshamelessloveofcastingdoubtoneventhemostserioustruths!
Dina（withoutlookingupfromherwork）：Butaretherenotmanybigthingsdonetheretoo？
Rorlund：Bigthingsdone——？Idonotunderstand——。
Mrs。Holt（inamazement）：Goodgracious，Dina——!
Mrs。Rummel（inthesamebreath）：Dina，howcanyou——？
Rorlund：Ithinkitwouldscarcelybeagoodthingforusifsuch\"bigthings\"becametherulehere。No，indeed，weoughttobeonlytoothankfulthatthingsareastheyareinthiscountry。Itistrueenoughthattaresgrowupamongstourwheatheretoo，alas；butwedoourbestconscientiouslytoweedthemoutaswellasweareable。Theimportantthingistokeepsocietypure，ladies——towardoffallthehazardousexperimentsthatarestlessageseekstoforceuponus。
Mrs。Holt：Andtherearemorethanenoughoftheminthewind，unhappily。
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，youknowlastyearweonlybyahair’sbreadthescapedtheprojectofhavingarailwayhere。
Mrs。Bernick：Ah，myhusbandpreventedthat。
Rorlund：Providence，Mrs。Bernick。YoumaybecertainthatyourhusbandwastheinstrumentofahigherPowerwhenherefusedtohaveanythingtodowiththescheme。
Mrs。Bernick：Andyettheysaidsuchhorriblethingsabouthiminthenewspapers!Butwehavequiteforgottentothankyou，Mr。Rorlund。Itisreallymorethanfriendlyofyoutosacrificesomuchofyourtimetous。
Rorlund：Notatall。Thisisholidaytime，and——
Mrs。Bernick：Yes，butitisasacrificeallthesame，Mr。Rorlund。
Rorlund（drawinghischairnearer）：Don’tspeakofit，mydearlady。
Areyounotallofyoumakingsomesacrificeinagoodcause？——andthatwillinglyandgladly？Thesepoorfallencreaturesforwhoserescueweareworkingmaybecomparedtosoldierswoundedonthefieldofbattle；
you，ladies，arethekind—heartedsistersofmercywhopreparethelintforthesestrickenones，laythebandagessoftlyontheirwounds，healthemandcurethem。
Mrs。Bernick：Itmustbeawonderfulgifttobeabletoseeeverythinginsuchabeautifullight。
Rorlund：Agooddealofitisinborninone——butitcanbetoagreatextentacquired，too。Allthatisneedfulistoseethingsinthelightofaseriousmissioninlife。（ToMARTHA：）Whatdoyousay，MissBernick？Haveyounotfeltasifyouwerestandingonfirmergroundsinceyougaveyourselfuptoyourschoolwork？
Martha：Ireallydonotknowwhattosay。Therearetimes，whenIamintheschoolroomdownthere，thatIwishIwerefarawayoutonthestormyseas。
Rorlund：Thatismerelytemptation，dearMissBernick。Yououghttoshutthedoorsofyourminduponsuchdisturbingguestsasthat。Bythe\"stormyseas\"——forofcourseyoudonotintendmetotakeyourwordsliterally——youmeantherestlesstideofthegreatouterworld，wheresomanyareshipwrecked。Doyoureallysetsuchstoreonthelifeyouhearrushingbyoutside？Onlylookoutintothestreet。Theretheygo，walkingaboutintheheatofthesun，perspiringandtumblingaboutovertheirlittleaffairs。No，weundoubtedlyhavethebestofit，whoareabletosithereinthecoolandturnourbacksonthequarterfromwhichdisturbancecomes。
Martha：Yes，Ihavenodoubtyouareperfectlyright。
Rorlund：Andinahouselikethis，inagoodandpurehome，wherefamilylifeshowsinitsfairestcolours——wherepeaceandharmonyrule——（ToMRS。BERNICK：）Whatareyoulisteningto，Mrs。Bernick？
Mrs。Bernick（whohasturnedtowardsthedoorofBERNICK’Sroom）：Theyaretalkingveryloudinthere。
Rorlund：Isthereanythingparticulargoingon？
Mrs。Bernick：Idon’tknow。Icanhearthatthereissomebodywithmyhusband。
（HILMARTONNESEN，smokingacigar，appearsinthedoorwayontheright，butstopsshortatthesightofthecompanyofladies。）
Hilmar：Oh，excuseme——（Turnstogoback。）
Mrs。Bernick：No，Hilmar，comealongin；youarenotdisturbingus。Doyouwantsomething？
Hilmar：No，Ionlywantedtolookinhere——Goodmorning，ladies。（ToMRS。BERNICK：）Well，whatistheresult？
Mrs。Bernick：Ofwhat？
Hilmar：Karstenhassummonedameeting，youknow。
Mrs。Bernick：Hashe？Whatabout？
Hilmar：Oh，itisthisrailwaynonsenseoveragain。
Mrs。Rummel：Isitpossible？
Mrs。Bernick：PoorKarsten，ishetohavemoreannoyanceoverthat？
Rorlund：Buthowdoyouexplainthat，Mr。Tonnesen？YouknowthatlastyearMr。Bernickmadeitperfectlyclearthathewouldnothavearailwayhere。
Hilmar：Yes，thatiswhatIthought，too；butImetKrap，hisconfidentialclerk，andhetoldmethattherailwayprojecthadbeentakenupagain，andthatMr。Bernickwasinconsultationwiththreeofourlocalcapitalists。
Mrs。Rummel：Ah，IwasrightinthinkingIheardmyhusband’svoice。
Hilmar：OfcourseMr。Rummelisinit，andsoareSandstadandMichaelVigeland，\"SaintMichael\"，astheycallhim。
Rorlund：Ahem!
Hilmar：Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Rorlund？
Mrs。Bernick：Justwheneverythingwassoniceandpeaceful。
Hilmar：Well，asfarasIamconcerned，Ihavenottheslightestobjectiontotheirbeginningtheirsquabblingagain。Itwillbealittlediversion，anyway。
Rorlund：Ithinkwecandispensewiththatsortofdiversion。
Hilmar：Itdependshowyouareconstituted。Certainnaturesfeelthelustofbattlenowandthen。Butunfortunatelylifeinacountrytowndoesnotoffermuchinthatway，anditisn’tgiventoeveryoneto（turnstheleavesofthebookRORLUNDhasbeenreading）。\"WomanastheHandmaidofSociety。\"Whatsortofdrivelisthis？
Mrs。Bernick：MydearHilmar，youmustnotsaythat。Youcertainlyhavenotreadthebook。
Hilmar：No，andIhavenointentionofreadingit，either。
Mrs。Bernick：Surelyyouarenotfeelingquitewelltoday。
Hilmar：No，Iamnot。
Mrs。Bernick：Perhapsyoudidnotsleepwelllastnight？
Hilmar：No，Isleptverybadly。Iwentforawalkyesterdayeveningformyhealth’ssake；andIfinishedupattheclubandreadabookaboutaPolarexpedition。Thereissomethingbracinginfollowingtheadventuresofmenwhoarebattlingwiththeelements。
Mrs。Rummel：Butitdoesnotappeartohavedoneyoumuchgood，Mr。
Tonnesen。
Hilmar：No，itcertainlydidnot。Ilayallnighttossingabout，onlyhalfasleep，anddreamtthatIwasbeingchasedbyahideouswalrus。
Olaf（whomeanwhilehascomeupthestepsfromthegarden）：Haveyoubeenchasedbyawalrus，uncle？
Hilmar：Idreamtit，youduffer!Doyoumeantosayyouarestillplayingaboutwiththatridiculousbow？Whydon’tyougetholdofarealgun？
Olaf：Ishouldliketo，but——
Hilmar：Thereissomesenseinathinglikethat；itisalwaysanexcitementeverytimeyoufireitoff。
Olaf：AndthenIcouldshootbears，uncle。Butdaddywon’tletme。
Mrs。Bernick：Youreallymustn’tputsuchideasintohishead，Hilmar。
Hilmar：Hm!It’sanicebreedweareeducatingupnow—a—days，isn’tit!Wetalkagreatdealaboutmanlysports，goodnessknows——butweonlyplaywiththequestion，allthesame；thereisneveranyseriousinclinationforthebracingdisciplinethatliesinfacingdangermanfully。Don’tstandpointingyourcrossbowatme，blockhead——itmightgooff!
Olaf：No，uncle，thereisnoarrowinit。
Hilmar：Youdon’tknowthatthereisn’t——theremaybe，allthesame。
Takeitaway，Itellyou!——WhyonearthhaveyounevergoneovertoAmericaononeofyourfather’sships？Youmighthaveseenabuffalohuntthen，orafightwithRedIndians。
Mrs。Bernick：Oh，Hilmar——!
Olaf：Ishouldlikethatawfully，uncle；andthenperhapsImightmeetUncleJohanandAuntLona。
Hilmar：Hm!——Rubbish。
Mrs。Bernick：Youcangodownintothegardenagainnow，Olaf。
Olaf：Mother，mayIgooutintothestreettoo？
Mrs。Bernick：Yes，butnottoofar，mind。
（OLAFrunsdownintothegardenandoutthroughthegateinthefence。）
Rorlund：Yououghtnottoputsuchfanciesintothechild’shead，Mr。
Tonnesen。
Hilmar：No，ofcourseheisdestinedtobeamiserablestay—at—home，likesomanyothers。
Rorlund：Butwhydoyounottakeatripoverthereyourself？
Hilmar：I？Withmywretchedhealth？OfcourseIgetnoconsiderationonthataccount。Butputtingthatoutofthequestion，youforgetthatonehascertainobligationstoperformtowardsthecommunityofwhichoneformsapart。TheremustbesomeoneheretoholdaloftthebanneroftheIdeal。——Ugh，thereheisshoutingagain!
TheLadies：Whoisshouting？
Hilmar：IamsureIdon’tknow。Theyareraisingtheirvoicessoloudintherethatitgetsonmynerves。
Mrs。Bernick：Iexpectitismyhusband，Mr。Tonnesen。Butyoumustrememberheissoaccustomedtoaddressinglargeaudiences。
Rorlund：Ishouldnotcalltheotherslow—voiced，either。
Hilmar：GoodLord，no!——notonanyquestionthattouchestheirpockets。Everythinghereendsinthesepettymaterialconsiderations。
Ugh!
Mrs。Bernick：Anyway，thatisabetterstateofthingsthanitusedtobewheneverythingendedinmerefrivolity。
Mrs。Lynge：Thingsreallyusedtobeasbadasthathere？
Mrs。Rummel：Indeedtheywere，Mrs。Lynge。Youmaythinkyourselfluckythatyoudidnotliveherethen。
Mrs。Holt：Yes，timeshavechanged，andnomistake，whenIlookbacktothedayswhenIwasagirl。
Mrs。Rummel：Oh，youneednotlookbackmorethanfourteenorfifteenyears。Godforgiveus，whatalifeweled!ThereusedtobeaDancingSocietyandaMusicalSociety——
Mrs。Bernick：AndtheDramaticClub。Irememberitverywell。
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，thatwaswhereyourplaywasperformed，Mr。Tonnesen。
Hilmar（fromthebackoftheroom）：What，what？
Rorlund：AplaybyMr。Tonnesen？
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，itwaslongbeforeyoucamehere，Mr。Rorlund。Anditwasonlyperformedonce。
Mrs。Lynge：Wasthatnottheplayinwhichyoutoldmeyoutookthepartofayoungman’ssweetheart，Mrs。Rummel？
Mrs。Rummel（glancingtowardsRORLUND）：I？Ireallycannotremember，Mrs。Lynge。ButIrememberwellalltheriotousgaietythatusedtogoon。
Mrs。Holt：Yes，therewerehousesIcouldnameinwhichtwolargedinner—partiesweregiveninoneweek。
Mrs。Lynge：AndsurelyIhaveheardthatatouringtheatricalcompanycamehere，too？
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，thatwastheworstthingofthelot。
Mrs。Holt（uneasily）：Ahem!
Mrs。Rummel：Didyousayatheatricalcompany？No，Idon’trememberthatatall。
Mrs。Lynge：Ohyes，andIhavebeentoldtheyplayedallsortsofmadpranks。Whatisreallythetruthofthosestories？
Mrs。Rummel：Thereispracticallynotruthinthem，Mrs。Lynge。
Mrs。Holt：Dina，mylove，willyougivemethatlinen？
Mrs。Bernick（atthesametime）：Dina，dear，willyougoandaskKatrinetobringusourcoffee？
Martha：Iwillgowithyou，Dina。
（DINAandMARTHAgooutbythefartherdooron，theleft。）
Mrs。Bernick（gettingup）：Willyouexcusemeforafewminutes？
Ithinkwewillhaveourcoffeeoutside。（Shegoesouttotheverandahandsetstoworktolayatable。RORLUNDstandsinthedoorwaytalkingtoher。HILMARsitsoutside，smoking。）
Mrs。Rummel（inalowvoice）：Mygoodness，Mrs。Lynge，howyoufrightenedme!
Mrs。Lynge：I？
Mrs。Holt：Yes，butyouknowitwasyouthatbeganit，Mrs。
Rummel。
Mrs。Rummel：I？Howcanyousaysuchathing，Mrs。Holt？Notasyllablepassedmylips!
Mrs。Lynge：Butwhatdoesitallmean？
Mrs。Rummel：Whatmadeyoubegintotalkabout——？Think——didyounotseethatDinawasintheroom？
Mrs。Lynge：Dina？Goodgracious，isthereanythingwrongwith——？
Mrs。Holt：Andinthishouse，too!DidyounotknowitwasMrs。
Bernick’sbrother——？
Mrs。Lynge：Whatabouthim？Iknownothingaboutitatall；Iamquitenewtotheplace，youknow。
Mrs。Rummel：Haveyounotheardthat——？Ahem!
（Toherdaughter）Hilda，dear，youcangoforalittlestrollinthegarden？
Mrs。Holt：Yougotoo，Netta。AndbeverykindtopoorDinawhenshecomesback。（HILDAandNETTAgooutintothegarden。）
Mrs。Lynge：Well，whataboutMrs。Bernick’sbrother？
Mrs。Rummel：Don’tyouknowthedreadfulscandalabouthim？
Mrs。Lynge：AdreadfulscandalaboutMr。Tonnesen？
Mrs。Rummel：GoodHeavens，no。Mr。Tonnesenishercousin，ofcourse，Mrs。Lynge。Iamspeakingofherbrother——
Mrs。Holt：ThewickedMr。Tonnesen——
Mrs。Rummel：HisnamewasJohan。HeranawaytoAmerica。
Mrs。Holt：Hadtorunaway，youmustunderstand。
Mrs。Lynge：Thenitishethescandalisabout？
Mrs。Rummel：Yes；therewassomething——howshallIputit？——therewassomethingofsomekindbetweenhimandDina’smother。I
rememberitallasifitwereyesterday。JohanTonnesenwasinoldMrs。Bernick’sofficethen；KarstenBernickhadjustcomebackfromParis——hehadnotyetbecomeengaged——
Mrs。Lynge：Yes，butwhatwasthescandal？
Mrs。Rummel：Well，youmustknowthatMoller’scompanywereactinginthetownthatwinter——
Mrs。Holt：AndDorf，theactor，andhiswifewereinthecompany。
Alltheyoungmeninthetownwereinfatuatedwithher。
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，goodnessknowshowtheycouldthinkherpretty。
Well，Dorfcamehomelateoneevening——
Mrs。Holt：Quiteunexpectedly。
Mrs。Rummel：Andfoundhis——No，reallyitisn’tathingonecantalkabout。
Mrs。Holt：Afterall，Mrs。Rummel，hedidn’tfindanything，becausethedoorwaslockedontheinside。
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，thatisjustwhatIwasgoingtosay——hefoundthedoorlocked。And——justthinkofit——themanthatwasinthehousehadtojumpoutofthewindow。
Mrs。Holt：Rightdownfromanatticwindow。
Mrs。Lynge：AndthatwasMrs。Bernick’sbrother？
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，itwashe。
Mrs。Lynge：AndthatwaswhyheranawaytoAmerica？
Mrs。Holt：Yes，hehadtorunaway，youmaybesure。
Mrs。Rummel：Becausesomethingwasdiscoveredafterwardsthatwasnearlyasbad；justthink——hehadbeenmakingfreewiththecash—
box……
Mrs。Holt：But，youknow，noonewascertainofthat，Mrs。
Rummel；perhapstherewasnotruthintherumour。
Mrs。Rummel：Well，Imustsay——!Wasn’titknownalloverthetown？DidnotoldMrs。Bernicknearlygobankruptastheresultofit？However，GodforbidIshouldbetheonetospreadsuchreports。
Mrs。Holt：Well，anyway，Mrs。Dorfdidn’tgetthemoney，becauseshe——
Mrs。Lynge：Yes，whathappenedtoDina’sparentsafterwards？
Mrs。Rummel：Well，Dorfdesertedbothhiswifeandhischild。Butmadamwasimpudentenoughtostayhereawholeyear。Ofcourseshehadnotthefacetoappearatthetheatreanymore，butshekeptherselfbytakinginwashingandsewing——
Mrs。Holt：Andthenshetriedtosetupadancingschool。
Mrs。Rummel：Naturallythatwasnogood。Whatparentswouldtrusttheirchildrentosuchawoman？Butitdidnotlastverylong。
Thefinemadamwasnotaccustomedtowork；shegotsomethingwrongwithherlungsanddiedofit。
Mrs。Lynge：Whatahorriblescandal!
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，youcanimaginehowharditwasupontheBernicks。Itisthedarkspotamongthesunshineoftheirgoodfortune，asRummelonceputit。Soneverspeakaboutitinthishouse，Mrs。Lynge。
Mrs。Holt：Andforheaven’ssakenevermentionthestepsister，either!
Mrs。Lynge：Oh，soMrs。Bernickhasastep—sister，too？
Mrs。Rummel：Had，luckily——fortherelationshipbetweenthemisallovernow。Shewasanextraordinarypersontoo!Wouldyoubelieveit，shecutherhairshort，andusedtogoaboutinmen’sbootsinbadweather!
Mrs。Holt：Andwhenherstep—brother，theblacksheep，hadgoneaway，andthewholetownnaturallywastalkingabouthim——whatdoyouthinkshedid？ShewentouttoAmericatohim!
Mr。Rummel：Yes，butrememberthescandalshecausedbeforeshewent，Mrs。Holt。
Mrs。Holt：Hush，don’tspeakofit。
Mrs。Lynge：Mygoodness，didshecreateascandaltoo？
Mrs。Rummel：Ithinkyououghttohearit，Mrs。Lynge。Mr。
BernickhadjustgotengagedtoBettyTonnesen，andthetwoofthemwentarminarmintoheraunt’sroomtotellherthenews——
Mrs。Holt：TheTonnesens’parentsweredead，youknow——
Mrs。Rummel：When，suddenly，upgotLonaHesselfromherchairandgaveourrefinedandwell—bredKarstenBernicksuchaboxontheearthathisheadswam。
Mrs。Lynge：Well，IamsureInever——
Mrs。Holt：Itisabsolutelytrue。
Mrs。Rummel：AndthenshepackedherboxandwentawaytoAmerica。
Mrs。Lynge：Isupposeshehadhadhereyeonhimforherself。
Mrs。Rummel：Ofcourseshehad。SheimaginedthatheandshewouldmakeamatchofitwhenhecamebackfromParis。
Mrs。Holt：Theideaofherthinkingsuchathing!KarstenBernick——amanoftheworldandthepinkofcourtesy，aperfectgentleman，thedarlingofalltheladies……
Mrs。Rummel：And，withitall，suchanexcellentyoungman，Mrs。
Holt——somoral。
Mrs。Lynge：ButwhathasthisMissHesselmadeofherselfinAmerica？
Mrs。Rummel：Well，yousee，overthat（asmyhusbandonceputit）
hasbeendrawnaveilwhichoneshouldhesitatetolift。
Mrs。Lynge：Whatdoyoumean？
Mrs。Rummel：Shenolongerhasanyconnectionwiththefamily，asyoumaysuppose；butthismuchthewholetownknows，thatshehassungformoneyindrinkingsaloonsoverthere——
Mrs。Holt：Andhasgivenlecturesinpublic——
Mrs。Rummel：Andhaspublishedsomemadkindofbook。
Mrs。Lynge：Youdon’tsayso!
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，itistrueenoughthatLonaHesselisoneofthespotsonthesunoftheBernickfamily’sgoodfortune。Well，nowyouknowthewholestory，Mrs。Lynge。IamsureIwouldneverhavespokenaboutitexcepttoputyouonyourguard。
Mrs。Lynge：Oh，youmaybesureIshallbemostcareful。ButthatpoorchildDinaDorf!Iamtrulysorryforher。
Mrs。Rummel：Well，reallyitwasastrokeofgoodluckforher。
Thinkwhatitwouldhavemeantifshehadbeenbroughtupbysuchparents!Ofcoursewedidourbestforher，everyoneofus，andgaveherallthegoodadvicewecould。EventuallyMissBernickgothertakenintothishouse。
Mrs。Holt：Butshehasalwaysbeenadifficultchildtodealwith。Itisonlynatural——withallthebadexamplesshehadhadbeforeher。Agirlofthatsortisnotlikeoneofourown；onemustbelenientwithher。
Mrs。Rummel：Hush——hereshecomes。（Inaloudervoice。）Yes，Dinaisreallyaclevergirl。Oh，isthatyou，Dina？Wearejustputtingawaythethings。
Mrs。Holt：Howdeliciousyourcoffeesmells，mydearDina。Anicecupofcoffeelikethat——
Mrs。Bernick（callinginfromtheverandah）：Willyoucomeouthere？（MeanwhileMARTHAandDINAhavehelpedtheMaidtobringoutthecoffee。Alltheladiesseatthemselvesontheverandah，andtalkwithagreatshowofkindnesstoDINA。InafewmomentsDINAcomesbackintotheroomandlooksforhersewing。）
Mrs。Bernick（fromthecoffeetable）：Dina，won’tyou——？
Dina：No，thankyou。（Sitsdowntohersewing。MRS。BERNICKandRORLUNDexchangeafewwords；amomentafterwardshecomesbackintotheroom，makesapretextforgoinguptothetable，andbeginsspeakingtoDINAinlowtones。）
Rorlund：Dina。
Dina：Yes？
Rorlund：Whydon’tyouwanttositwiththeothers？
Dina：WhenIcameinwiththecoffee，Icouldseefromthestrangelady’sfacethattheyhadbeentalkingaboutme。
Rorlund：Butdidyounotseeaswellhowagreeableshewastoyououtthere？
Dina：ThatisjustwhatIwillnotstandRorlund：Youareveryself—willed，Dina。
Dina：Yes。
Rorlund：Butwhy？
Dina：Becauseitismynature。
Rorlund：Couldyounottrytoalteryournature？
Dina：No。
Rorlund：Whynot？
Dina（lookingathim）：BecauseIamoneofthe\"poorfallencreatures\"，youknow。
Rorlund：Forshame，Dina。
Dina：Sowasmymother。
Rorlund：Whohasspokentoyouaboutsuchthings？
Dina：Noone；theyneverdo。Whydon’tthey？Theyallhandlemeinsuchagingerlyfashion，asiftheythoughtIshouldgotopiecesifthey———。Oh，howIhateallthiskind—heartedness。
Rorlund：MydearDina，Icanquiteunderstandthatyoufeelrepressedhere，but——
Dina：Yes；ifonlyIcouldgetrightawayfromhere。Icouldmakemyownwayquitewell，ifonlyIdidnotliveamongstpeoplewhoareso——so——
Rorlund：Sowhat？
Dina：Soproperandsomoral。
Rorlund：Ohbut，Dina，youdon’tmeanthat。
Dina：YouknowquitewellinwhatsenseImeanit。HildaandNettacomehereeveryday，tobeexhibitedtomeasgoodexamples。Icanneverbesobeautifullybehavedasthey；Idon’twanttobe。IfonlyIwererightawayfromitall，Ishouldgrowtobeworthsomething。
Rorlund：Butyouareworthagreatdeal，Dinadear。
Dina：Whatgooddoesthatdomehere？
Rorlund：Getrightaway，yousay？Doyoumeanitseriously？
Dina：Iwouldnotstayhereadaylonger，ifitwerenotforyou。
Rorlund：Tellme，Dina——whyisitthatyouarefondofbeingwithme？
Dina：Becauseyouteachmesomuchthatisbeautiful。
Rorlund：Beautiful？DoyoucallthelittleIcanteachyou，beautiful？
Dina：Yes。Orperhaps，tobeaccurate，itisnotthatyouteachmeanything；butwhenIlistentoyoutalkingIseebeautifulvisions。
Rorlund：Whatdoyoumeanexactlywhenyoucallathingbeautiful？
Dina：Ihaveneverthoughtitout。
Rorlund：Thinkitoutnow，then。Whatdoyouunderstandbyabeautifulthing？
Dina：Abeautifulthingissomethingthatisgreat——andfaroff。
Rorlund：Hm!——Dina，Iamsodeeplyconcernedaboutyou，mydear。
Dina：Onlythat？
Rorlund：YouknowperfectlywellthatyouaredearertomethanI
cansay。
Dina：IfIwereHildaorNetta，youwouldnotbeafraidtoletpeopleseeit。
Rorlund：Ah，Dina，youcanhavenoideaofthenumberofthingsI
amforcedtotakeintoconsideration。Whenitisaman’slottobeamoralpillarofthecommunityhelivesin，hecannotbetoocircumspect。IfonlyIcouldbecertainthatpeoplewouldinterpretmymotivesproperly。Butnomatterforthat；youmust，andshallbe，helpedtoraiseyourself。Dina，isitabargainbetweenusthatwhenIcome——whencircumstancesallowmetocome—
—toyouandsay：\"Hereismyhand，\"youwilltakeitandbemywife？Willyoupromisemethat，Dina？
Dina：Yes。
Rorlund：Thankyou，thankyou!Becauseformypart，too——oh，Dina，Iloveyousodearly。Hush!Someoneiscoming。Dina——formysake——goouttotheothers。（Shegoesouttothecoffeetable。AtthesamemomentRUMMEL，SANDSTADandVIGELANDcomeoutofBERNICK’Sroom，followedbyBernick，whohasabundleofpapersinhishand。）
Bernick：Well，then，thematterissettled。
Vigeland：Yes，Ihopetogoodnessitis。
Rummel：Itissettled，Bernick。ANorseman’swordstandsasfirmastherocksonDovrefjeld，youknow!
Bernick：Andnoonemustfalter，noonegiveway，nomatterwhatoppositionwemeetwith。
Rummel：Wewillstandorfalltogether，Bernick。
Hilmar（cominginfromtheverandah）：Fall？IfImayask，isn’tittherailwayschemethatisgoingtofall？
Bernick：No，onthecontrary，itisgoingtoproceed——
Rummel：Fullsteam，Mr。Tonnesen。
Hilmar（comingnearer）：Really？
Rorlund：Howisthat？
Mrs。Bernick（attheverandahdoor）：Karsten，dear，whatisitthat——？
Bernick：MydearBetty，howcanitinterestyou？（Tothethreemen。）Wemustgetoutlistsofsubscribers，andthesoonerthebetter。Obviouslyourfournamesmustheadthelist。Thepositionsweoccupyinthecommunitymakesitourdutytomakeourselvesasprominentaspossibleintheaffair。
Sandstad：Obviously，Mr。Bernick。
Rummel：Thethingshallgothrough，Bernick；Iswearitshall!
Bernick：Oh，Ihavenottheleastanticipationoffailure。Wemustseethatwework，eachoneamongthecircleofhisownacquaintances；andifwecanpointtothefactthattheschemeisexcitingalivelyinterestinallranksofsociety，thenitstandstoreasonthatourMunicipalCorporationwillhavetocontributeitsshare。
Mrs。Bernick：Karsten，youreallymustcomeouthereandtellus——
Bernick：MydearBetty，itisanaffairthatdoesnotconcernladiesatall。
Hilmar：Thenyouarereallygoingtosupportthisrailwayschemeafterall？
Bernick：Yes，naturally。
Rorlund：Butlastyear，Mr。Bernick——
Bernick：Lastyearitwasquiteanotherthing。Atthattimeitwasaquestionofalinealongthecoast——
Vigeland：Whichwouldhavebeenquitesuperfluous，Mr。Rorlund；
because，ofcourse，wehaveoursteamboatservice——
Sandstad：Andwouldhavebeenquiteunreasonablycostly——
Rummel：Yes，andwouldhaveabsolutelyruinedcertainimportantinterestsinthetown。
Bernick：Themainpointwasthatitwouldnothavebeentotheadvantageofthecommunityasawhole。ThatiswhyIopposedit，withtheresultthattheinlandlinewasresolvedupon。
Hilmar：Yes，butsurelythatwillnottouchthetownsabouthere。
Bernick：Itwilleventuallytouchourtown，mydearHilmar，becausewearegoingtobuildabranchlinehere。
Hilmar：Aha——anewscheme，then？
Rummel：Yes，isn’titacapitalscheme？What？
Rorlund：Hm!——
Vigeland：ThereisnodenyingthatitlooksasthoughProvidencehadjustplannedtheconfigurationofthecountrytosuitabranchline。
Rorlund：Doyoureallymeanit，Mr。Vigeland？
Bernick：Yes，ImustconfessitseemstomeasifithadbeenthehandofProvidencethatcausedmetotakeajourneyonbusinessthisspring，inthecourseofwhichIhappenedtotraverseavalleythroughwhichIhadneverbeenbefore。Itcameacrossmymindlikeaflashoflightningthatthiswaswherewecouldcarryabranchlinedowntoourtown。Igotanengineertosurveytheneighbourhood，andhaveheretheprovisionalcalculationsandestimate；sothereisnothingtohinderus。
Mrs。Bernick（whoisstillwiththeotherladiesattheverandahdoor）：But，mydearKarsten，tothinkthatyoushouldhavekeptitallasecretfromus!
Bernick：Ah，mydearBetty，Iknewyouwouldnothavebeenabletograsptheexactsituation。Besides，Ihavenotmentionedittoalivingsouluntiltoday。Butnowthedecisivemomenthascome，andwemustworkopenlyandwithallourmight。Yes，evenifI
havetoriskallIhaveforitssake，Imeantopushthematterthrough。
Rummel：Andwewillbackyouup，Bernick；youmayrelyuponthat。
Rorlund：Doyoureallypromiseussomuch，then，fromthisundertaking，gentlemen？
Bernick：Yes，undoubtedly。Thinkwhataleveritwillbetoraisethestatusofourwholecommunity。Justthinkoftheimmensetractsofforest—landthatitwillmakeaccessible；thinkofalltherichdepositsofmineralsweshallbeabletowork；thinkoftheriverwithonewaterfallaboveanother!Thinkofthepossibilitiesthatopenoutinthewayofmanufactories!
Rorlund：Andareyounotafraidthataneasierintercoursewiththedepravityoftheouterworld——？
Bernick：No，youmaymakeyourmindquiteeasyonthatscore，Mr。
Rorlund。Ourlittlehiveofindustryrestsnow—a—days，Godbethanked，onsuchasoundmoralbasis；wehaveallofushelpedtodrainit，ifImayusetheexpression；andthatwewillcontinuetodo，eachinhisdegree。You，Mr。Rorlund，willcontinueyourrichlyblessedactivityinourschoolsandourhomes。We，thepracticalmenofbusiness，willbethesupportofthecommunitybyextendingitswelfarewithinaswidearadiusaspossible；andourwomen——yes，comenearerladies——youwillliketohearit——ourwomen，Isay，ourwivesanddaughters——you，ladies——willworkonundisturbedintheserviceofcharity，andmoreoverwillbeahelpandacomforttoyournearestanddearest，asmydearBettyandMarthaaretomeandOlaf。（Looksaroundhim。）WhereisOlaftoday？
Mrs。Bernick：Oh，intheholidaysitisimpossibletokeephimathome。
Bernick：Ihavenodoubtheisdownattheshoreagain。Youwillseehewillendbycomingtosomeharmthere。
Hilmar：Bah!AlittlesportwiththeforcesofnatureMrs。Rummel：Yourfamilyaffectionisbeautiful，Mr。Bernick!
Bernick：Well，thefamilyisthekernelofsociety。Agoodhome，honouredandtrustyfriends，alittlesnugfamilycirclewherenodisturbingelementscancasttheirshadow——（KRAPcomesinfromtheright，bringinglettersandpapers。）
Krap：Theforeignmail，Mr。Bernick——andatelegramfromNewYork。
Bernick（takingthetelegram）：Ah——fromtheownersofthe\"IndianGirl\"。
Rummel：Isthemailin？Oh，thenyoumustexcuseme。
Vigeland：Andmetoo。
Sandstad：Goodday，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Goodday，goodday，gentlemen。Andremember，wehaveameetingthisafternoonatfiveo’clock。
TheThreeMen：Yes——quiteso——ofcourse。（Theygoouttotheright。）
Bernick（whohasreadthetelegram）：ThisisthoroughlyAmerican!
Absolutelyshocking!
Mrs。Bernick：Goodgracious，Karsten，whatisit？
Bernick：Lookatthis，Krap!Readit!
Krap（reading）：\"Dotheleastrepairspossible。Sendover’IndianGirl’assoonassheisreadytosail；goodtimeofyear；atapinchhercargowillkeepherafloat。\"Well，Imustsay——
Rorlund：Youseethestateofthingsinthesevauntedgreatcommunities!
Bernick：Youarequiteright；notamoment’sconsiderationforhumanlife，whenitisaquestionofmakingaprofit。（ToKRAP：）
Canthe\"IndianGirl\"gotoseainfour——orfive——days？
Krap：Yes，ifMr。Vigelandwillagreetoourstoppingworkonthe\"PalmTree\"meanwhile。
Bernick：Hm——hewon’t。Well，besogoodastolookthroughtheletters。Andlookhere，didyouseeOlafdownatthequay？
Krap：No，Mr。Bernick。（GoesintoBERNICK’Sroom。）
Bernick（lookingatthetelegramagain）：Thesegentlementhinknothingofriskingeightmen’slives——
Hilmar：Well，itisasailor’scallingtobravetheelements；itmustbeafinetonictothenervestobelikethat，withonlyathinplankbetweenoneandtheabyss——
Bernick：Ishouldliketoseetheship—owneramongstuswhowouldcondescendtosuchathing!Thereisnotonethatwoulddoit——
notasingleone!（SeesOLAFcominguptothehouse。）Ah，thankHeaven，hereheis，safeandsound。（OLAF，withafishing—lineinhishand，comesrunningupthegardenandinthroughtheverandah。）
Olaf：UncleHilmar，Ihavebeendownandseenthesteamer。
Bernick：Haveyoubeendowntothequayagain？
Olaf：No，Ihaveonlybeenoutinaboat。Butjustthink，UncleHilmar，awholecircuscompanyhascomeonshore，withhorsesandanimals；andthereweresuchlotsofpassengers。
Mrs。Rummel：No，arewereallytohaveacircus？
Rorlund：We？Icertainlyhavenodesiretoseeit。
Mrs。Rummel：No，ofcourseIdon’tmeanwe，but——
Dina：Ishouldliketoseeacircusverymuch。
Olaf：SoshouldI。
Hilmar：Youareaduffer。Isthatanythingtosee？Meretricks。
No，itwouldbesomethingquitedifferenttoseetheGauchocareeringoverthePampasonhissnortingmustang。But，Heavenhelpus，inthesewretchedlittletownsofours。
Olaf（pullingatMARTHA’Sdress）：Look，AuntMartha!Look，theretheycome!
Mrs。Holt：GoodLord，yes——heretheycome。
Mrs。Lynge：Ugh，whathorridpeople!
（Anumberofpassengersandawholecrowdoftownsfolk，areseencomingupthestreet。）
Mrs。Rummel：Theyareasetofmountebanks，certainly。Justlookatthatwomaninthegreydress，Mrs。Holt——theonewithaknapsackoverhershoulder。
Mrs。Holt：Yes——look——shehasslungitonthehandleofherparasol。Themanager’swife，Iexpect。
Mrs。Rummel：Andthereisthemanagerhimself，nodoubt。Helooksaregularpirate。Don’tlookathim，Hilda!
Mrs。Holt：Noryou，Netta!
Olaf：Mother，themanagerisbowingtous。
Bernick：What？
Mrs。Bernick：Whatareyousaying，child？
Mrs。Rummel：Yes，and——goodHeavens——thewomanisbowingtoustoo。
Bernick：Thatisalittletoocool——
Martha（exclaimsinvoluntarily）：Ah——!
Mrs。Bernick：Whatisit，Martha？
Martha：Nothing，nothing。Ithoughtforamoment——
Olaf（shriekingwithdelight）：Look，look，therearetherestofthem，withthehorsesandanimals!AndtherearetheAmericans，too!Allthesailorsfromthe\"IndianGirl\"!（Thestrainsof\"YankeeDoodle，\"playedonaclarinetandadrum，areheard。）
Hilmar（stoppinghisears）：Ugh，ugh，ugh!
Rorlund：Ithinkweoughttowithdrawourselvesfromsightalittle，ladies；wehavenothingtodowithsuchgoingson。Letusgotoourworkagain。
Mrs。Bernick：Doyouthinkwehadbetterdrawthecurtains？
Rorlund：Yes，thatwasexactlywhatImeant。
（Theladiesresumetheirplacesatthework—table；RORLUNDshutstheverandahdoor，anddrawsthecurtainsoveritandoverthewindows，sothattheroombecomeshalfdark。）
Olaf（peepingoutthroughthecurtains）：Mother，themanager’swifeisstandingbythefountainnow，washingherface。
Mrs。Bernick：What？Inthemiddleofthemarketplace？
Mrs。Rummel：Andinbroaddaylight，too!
Hilmar：Well，ImustsayifIweretravellingacrossadesertwasteandfoundmyselfbesideawell，IamsureIshouldnotstoptothinkwhether——。Ugh，thatfrightfulclarinet!
Rorlund：Itisreallyhightimethepoliceinterfered。
Bernick：Ohno；wemustnotbetoohardonforeigners。Ofcoursethesefolkhavenoneofthedeep—seatedinstinctsofdecencywhichrestrainuswithinproperbounds。Supposetheydobehaveoutrageously，whatdoesitconcernus？Fortunatelythisspiritofdisorder，thatfliesinthefaceofallthatiscustomaryandright，isabsolutelyastrangertoourcommunity，ifImaysayso——。Whatisthis!（LONAHESSELwalksbrisklyinfromthedoorontheright。）
TheLadies（inlow，frightenedtones）：Thecircuswoman!Themanager’swife!
Mrs。Bernick：Heavens，whatdoesthismean？
Martha（jumpingup）：Ah——!
Lona：Howdoyoudo，Bettydear!Howdoyoudo，Martha!Howdoyoudo，brother—in—law!
Mrs。Bernick（withacry）：Lona——!
Bernick（stumblingbackwards）：AssureasIamalive——!
Mrs。Holt：Mercyonus——!
Mrs。Rummel：Itcannotpossiblybe——!
Hilmar：Well!Ugh!
Mrs。Bernick：Lona——!Isitreally——？
Lona：Reallyme？Yes，indeeditis；youmayfallonmyneckifyoulike。
Hilmar：Ugh，ugh!
Mrs。Bernick：Andcomingbackhereas——？
Mrs。Bernick：Andactuallymeantoappearin——？
Lona：Appear？Appearinwhat？
Bernick：Well，Imean——inthecircus——
Lona：Ha，ha，ha!Areyoumad，brother—in—law？DoyouthinkI
belongtothecircustroupe？No，certainlyIhaveturnedmyhandtoagoodmanythingsandmadeafoolofmyselfinagoodmanyways——
Mrs。Rummel：Hm!
Lona：ButIhavenevertriedcircusriding。
Bernick：Thenyouarenot——？
Mrs。Bernick：ThankHeaven!
Lona：No，wetravelledlikeotherrespectablefolk，second—class，certainly，butweareaccustomedtothat。
Mrs。Bernick：We，didyousay？
Bernick（takingastepfor—ward）：Whomdoyoumeanby\"we\"？
Lona：Iandthechild，ofcourse。
TheLadies（withacry）：Thechild!
Hilmar：What？
Rorlund：Ireallymustsay——!
Mrs。Bernick：Butwhatdoyoumean，Lona？
Lona：ImeanJohn，ofcourse；Ihavenootherchild，asfarasI
know，butJohn，orJohanasyouusedtocallhim。
Mrs。Bernick：Johan——
Mrs。Rummel（inanundertonetoMRS。LYNGE）：Thescapegracebrother!
Bernick（hesitatingly）：IsJohanwithyou？
Lona：Ofcourseheis；Icertainlywouldnotcomewithouthim。
Whydoyoulooksotragical？Andwhyareyousittinghereinthegloom，sewingwhitethings？Therehasnotbeenadeathinthefamily，hasthere？
Rorlund：Madam，youfindyourselfintheSocietyforFallenWomen。
Lona（halftoherself）：What？Canthesenice，quiet—lookingladiespossiblybe——？
Mrs。Rummel：Well，really——!
Lona：Oh，Iunderstand!But，blessmysoul，thatissurelyMrs。
Rummel？AndMrs。Holtsittingtheretoo!Well，wethreehavenotgrownyoungersincethelasttimewemet。Butlistennow，goodpeople；lettheFallenWomenwaitforaday——theywillbenonetheworseforthat。Ajoyfuloccasionlikethis——
Rorlund：Ahome—comingisnotalwaysajoyfuloccasion。
Lona：Indeed？HowdoyoureadyourBible，Mr。Parson？
Rorlund：Iamnotaparson。
Lona：Oh，youwillgrowintoone，then。But——faugh!——thismorallinenofyourssmellstainted，justlikeawinding—sheet。Iamaccustomedtotheairoftheprairies，letmetellyou。
Bernick（wipinghisforehead）：Yes，itcertainlyisrathercloseinhere。
Lona：Waitamoment；wewillresurrectourselvesfromthisvault。
（Pullsthecurtainstooneside）Wemusthavebroaddaylightinherewhentheboycomes。Ah，youwillseeaboythenthathaswashedhimself。
Hilmar：Ugh!
Lona（openingtheverandahdoorandwindow）：Ishouldsay，whenhehaswashedhimself，upatthehotel——forontheboathegotpiggishlydirty。
Hilmar：Ugh，ugh!
Lona：Ugh？Why，surelyisn’tthat——？（PointsatHILDARandaskstheothers）：Ishestillloafingaboutheresaying\"Ugh\"？
Hilmar：Idonotloaf；itisthestateofmyhealththatkeepsmehere。
Rorlund：Ahem!Ladies，Idonotthink——
Lona（whohasnoticedOLAF）：Isheyours，Betty？Givemeapaw，myboy!Orareyouafraidofyouruglyoldaunt？
Rorlund（puttinghisbookunderhisarm）：Ladies，Idonotthinkanyofusisinthemoodforanymoreworktoday。Isupposewearetomeetagaintomorrow？
Lona（whiletheothersaregettingupandtakingtheirleave）：
Yes，letus。Ishallbeonthespot。
Rorlund：You？Pardonme，MissHessel，butwhatdoyouproposetodoinourSociety？
Lona：Iwillletsomefreshairintoit，Mr。Parson。
ACTII
SCENE。——Thesameroom。MRS。BERNICKissittingaloneatthework—
table，sewing。BERNICKcomesinfromtheright，wearinghishatandglovesandcarryingastick。）
Mrs。Bernick：Homealready，Karsten？
Bernick：Yes，Ihavemadeanappointmentwithaman。
Mrs。Bernick（withasigh）：Ohyes，IsupposeJohaniscominguphereagain。
Bernick：Withaman，Isaid。（Laysdownhishat。）Whathasbecomeofalltheladiestoday？
Mrs。Bernick：Mrs。RummelandHildahadn’ttimetocome。
Bernick：Oh!——didtheysendanyexcuse？
Mrs。Bernick：Yes，theyhadsomuchtodoathome。
Bernick：Naturally。Andofcoursetheothersarenotcomingeither？
Mrs。Bernick：No，somethinghaspreventedthemtoday，too。
Bernick：Icouldhavetoldyouthat，beforehand。WhereisOlaf？
Mrs。Bernick：IlethimgooutalittlewithDina。
Bernick：Hm——sheisagiddylittlebaggage。DidyouseehowsheatoncestartedmakingafussofJohanyesterday？
Mrs。Bernick：But，mydearKarsten，youknowDinaknowsnothingwhateverof——
Bernick：No，butinanycaseJohanoughttohavehadsufficienttactnottopayheranyattention。Isawquitewell，fromhisface，whatVigelandthoughtofit。
Mrs。Bernick（layinghersewingdownonherlap）：Karsten，canyouimaginewhathisobjectiveisincominghere？
Bernick：Well——Iknowhehasafarmoverthere，andIfancyheisnotdoingparticularlywellwithit；shecalledattentionyesterdaytothefactthattheywereobligedtotravelsecondclass——
Mrs。Bernick：Yes，Iamafraiditmustbesomethingofthatsort。
Buttothinkofhercomingwithhim!She!Afterthedeadlyinsultsheofferedyou!
Bernick：Oh，don’tthinkaboutthatancienthistory。
Mrs。Bernick：HowcanIhelpthinkingofitjustnow？Afterall，heismybrother——still，itisnotonhisaccountthatIamdistressed，butbecauseofalltheunpleasantnessitwouldmeanforyou。Karsten，Iamsodreadfullyafraid!
Bernick：Afraidofwhat？
Mrs。Bernick：Isn’titpossiblethattheymaysendhimtoprisonforstealingthatmoneyfromyourmother？
Bernick：Whatrubbish!Whocanprovethatthemoneywasstolen？
Mrs。Bernick：Thewholetownknowsit，unfortunately；andyouknowyousaidyourself。
Bernick：Isaidnothing。Thetownknowsnothingwhateverabouttheaffair；thewholethingwasnomorethanidlerumour。
Mrs。Bernick：Howmagnanimousyouare，Karsten!
Bernick：Donotletushaveanymoreofthesereminiscences，please!Youdon’tknowhowyoutorturemebyrakingallthatup。
（Walksupanddown；thenflingshisstickawayfromhim。）Andtothinkoftheircominghomenow——justnow，whenitisparticularlynecessaryformethatIshouldstandwellineveryrespectwiththetownandwiththePress。Ournewspapermenwillbesendingparagraphstothepapersintheothertownsabouthere。WhetherI
receivethemwell，orwhetherIreceivethemill，itwillallbediscussedandtalkedover。Theywillrakeupallthoseoldstories——asyoudo。Inacommunitylikeours——（Throwshisglovesdownonthetable。）AndIhavenotasoulheretowhomIcantalkaboutitandtowhomIcangoforsupport。
Mrs。Bernick：Nooneatall，Karsten？
Bernick：No——whoisthere？Andtohavethemonmyshouldersjustatthismoment!Withoutadoubttheywillcreateascandalinsomewayoranother——she，inparticular。Itissimplyacalamitytobeconnectedwithsuchfolkinanyway!
Mrs。Bernick：Well，Ican’thelptheir——
Bernick：Whatcan’tyouhelp？Theirbeingyourrelations？No，thatisquitetrue。
Mrs。Bernick：AndIdidnotaskthemtocomehome。
Bernick：That’sit——goon!\"Ididnotaskthemtocomehome；Ididnotwritetothem；Ididnotdragthemhomebythehairoftheirheads!\"Oh，Iknowthewholerigmarolebyheart。
Mrs。Bernick（burstingintotears）：Youneednotbesounkind——
Bernick：Yes，that’sright——begintocry，sothatourneighboursmayhavethattogossipabouttoo。Dostopbeingsofoolish，Betty。Goandsitoutside；someonemaycomeinhere。Idon’tsupposeyouwantpeopletoseetheladyofthehousewithredeyes？Itwouldbeanicething，wouldn’tit，ifthestorygotoutaboutthat——。There，Ihearsomeoneinthepassage。（Aknockisheardatthedoor。）Comein!（MRS。BERNICKtakeshersewingandgoesoutdownthegardensteps。AUNEcomesinfromtheright。）
Aune：Goodmorning，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Goodmorning。Well，IsupposeyoucanguesswhatIwantyoufor？
Aune：Mr。Kraptoldmeyesterdaythatyouwerenotpleasedwith——
Bernick：Iamdispleasedwiththewholemanagementoftheyard，Aune。Theworkdoesnotgetonasquicklyasitought。The\"PalmTree\"oughttohavebeenundersaillongago。Mr。Vigelandcomeshereeverydaytocomplainaboutit；heisadifficultmantohavewithoneaspartowner。
Aune：The\"PalmTree\"cangotoseathedayaftertomorrow。
Bernick：Atlast。ButwhatabouttheAmericanship，the\"IndianGirl，\"whichhasbeenlaiduphereforfiveweeksand——
Aune：TheAmericanship？Iunderstoodthat，beforeeverythingelse，weweretoworkourhardesttogetyourownshipready。
Bernick：Igaveyounoreasontothinkso。YououghttohavepushedonasfastaspossiblewiththeworkontheAmericanshipalso；butyouhavenot。
Aune：Herbottomiscompletelyrotten，Mr。Bernick；themorewepatchit，theworseitgets。
Bernick：Thatisnotthereason。Kraphastoldmethewholetruth。YoudonotunderstandhowtoworkthenewmachinesIhaveprovided——orrather，youwillnottrytoworkthem。
Aune：Mr。Bernick，Iamwelloninthefifties；andeversinceI
wasaboyIhavebeenaccustomedtotheoldwayofworking——
Bernick：Wecannotworkthatwaynow—a—days。Youmustnotimagine，Aune，thatitisforthesakeofmakingprofit；Idonotneedthat，fortunately；butIoweconsiderationtothecommunityIlivein，andtothebusinessIamattheheadof。Imusttaketheleadinprogress，ortherewouldneverbeany。
Aune：Iwelcomeprogresstoo，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Yes，foryourownlimitedcircle——fortheworkingclass。
Oh，Iknowwhatabusyagitatoryouare；youmakespeeches，youstirpeopleup；butwhensomeconcreteinstanceofprogresspresentsitself——asnow，inthecaseofourmachines——youdonotwanttohaveanythingtodowithit；youareafraid。
Aune：Yes，Ireallyamafraid，Mr。Bernick。Iamafraidforthenumberofmenwhowillhavethebreadtakenoutoftheirmouthsbythesemachines。Youareveryfond，sir，oftalkingabouttheconsiderationweowetothecommunity；itseemstome，however，thatthecommunityhasitsdutiestoo。Whyshouldscienceandcapitalventuretointroducethesenewdiscoveriesintolabour，beforethecommunityhashadtimetoeducateagenerationuptousingthem？
Bernick：Youreadandthinktoomuch，Aune；itdoesyounogood，andthatiswhatmakesyoudissatisfiedwithyourlot。
Aune：Itisnot，Mr。Bernick；butIcannotbeartoseeonegoodworkmandismissedafteranother，tostarvebecauseofthesemachines。
Bernick：Hm!Whentheartofprintingwasdiscovered，manyaquill—driverwasreducedtostarvation。
Aune：Wouldyouhaveadmiredtheartsogreatlyifyouhadbeenaquill—driverinthosedays，sir？
Bernick：Ididnotsendforyoutoarguewithyou。Isentforyoutotellyouthatthe\"IndianGirl\"mustbereadytoputtoseathedayaftertomorrow。
Aune：But，Mr。Bernick——
Bernick：Thedayaftertomorrow，doyouhear？——atthesametimeasourownship，notanhourlater。Ihavegoodreasonsforhurryingonthework。Haveyouseentoday’spaper？Well，thenyouknowtheprankstheseAmericansailorshavebeenuptoagain。
Therascallypackareturningthewholetownupsidedown。Notanightpasseswithoutsomebrawlinginthetavernsorthestreets—
—nottospeakofotherabominations。
Aune：Yes，theycertainlyareabadlot。
Bernick：Andwhoisitthathastobeartheblameforallthisdisorder？ItisI!Yes，itisIwhohavetosufferforit。Thesenewspaperfellowsaremakingallsortsofcovertinsinuationsbecausewearedevotingallourenergiestothe\"PalmTree。\"I，whosetaskinlifeitistoinfluencemyfellow—citizensbytheforceofexample，havetoendurethissortofthingcastinmyface。Iamnotgoingtostandthat。Ihavenofancyforhavingmygoodnamesmirchedinthatway。
Aune：Yournamestandshighenoughtoendurethatandagreatdealmore，sir。
Bernick：Notjustnow。AtthisparticularmomentIhaveneedofalltherespectandgoodwillmyfellow—citizenscangiveme。I
haveabigundertakingon，thestocks，asyouprobablyhaveheard；but，ifitshouldhappenthatevil—disposedpersonssucceededinshakingtheabsoluteconfidenceIenjoy，itmightlandmeinthegreatestdifficulties。ThatiswhyIwant，atanyprice，toavoidtheseshamefulinnuendoesinthepapers，andthatiswhyInamethedayaftertomorrowasthelimitofthetimeI
cangiveyou。
Aune：Mr。Bernick，youmightjustaswellnamethisafternoonasthelimit。
Bernick：YoumeanthatIamaskinganimpossibility？
Aune：Yes，withthehandswehavenowattheyard。
Bernick：Verygood；thenwemustlookaboutelsewhere。
Aune：Doyoureallymean，sir，todischargestillmoreofyouroldworkmen？
Bernick：No，Iamnotthinkingofthat。
Aune：BecauseIthinkitwouldcausebadbloodagainstyoubothamongthetownsfolkandinthepapers，ifyoudidthat。
Bernick：Veryprobably；therefore，wewillnotdoit。But，ifthe\"IndianGirl\"isnotreadytosailthedayaftertomorrow，I
shalldischargeyou。
Aune（withastart）：Me!（Helaughs。）Youarejoking，Mr。
Bernick。
Bernick：Ishouldnotbesosureofthat，ifIwereyou。
Aune：Doyoumeanthatyoucancontemplatedischargingme？——Me，whosefatherandgrandfatherworkedinyouryardalltheirlives，asIhavedonemyself——？
Bernick：Whoisitthatisforcingmetodoit？
Aune：Youareaskingwhatisimpossible，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Oh，wherethere’sawillthere’saway。Yesorno；givemeadecisiveanswer，orconsideryourselfdischargedonthespot。
Aune（comingastepnearertohim）：Mr。Bernick，haveyoueverrealisedwhatdischarginganoldworkmanmeans？Youthinkhecanlookaboutforanotherjob？Oh，yes，hecandothat；butdoesthatdisposeofthematter？Youshouldjustbethereonce，inthehouseofaworkmanwhohasbeendischarged，theeveninghecomeshomebringingallhistoolswithhim。
Bernick：DoyouthinkIamdischargingyouwithalightheart？
HaveInotalwaysbeenagoodmastertoyou？
Aune：Somuchtheworse，Mr。Bernick。Justforthatveryreasonthoseathomewillnotblameyou；theywillsaynothingtome，becausetheydarenot；buttheywilllookatmewhenIamnotnoticing，andthinkthatImusthavedeservedit。Yousee，sir，thatis——thatiswhatIcannotbear。Iamamerenobody，Iknow；
butIhavealwaysbeenaccustomedtostandfirstinmyownhome。
Myhumblehomeisalittlecommunitytoo，Mr。Bernick——alittlecommunitywhichIhavebeenabletosupportandmaintainbecausemywifehasbelievedinmeandbecausemychildrenhavebelievedinme。Andnowitisalltofalltopieces。
Bernick：Still，ifthereisnothingelseforit，thelessermustgodownbeforethegreater；theindividualmustbesacrificedtothegeneralwelfare。Icangiveyounootheranswer；andthat，andnoother，isthewayoftheworld。Youareanobstinateman，Aune!Youareopposingme，notbecauseyoucannotdootherwise，butbecauseyouwillnotexhibit’thesuperiorityofmachineryovermanuallabour’。
Aune：Andyouwillnotbemoved，Mr。Bernick，becauseyouknowthatifyoudrivemeawayyouwillatalleventshavegiventhenewspapersproofofyourgoodwill。
Bernick：Andsupposethatwereso？Ihavetoldyouwhatitmeansforme——eitherbringingthePressdownonmyback，ormakingthemwell—disposedtomeatamomentwhenIamworkingforanobjectivewhichwillmeantheadvancementofthegeneralwelfare。Well，then，canIdootherwisethanasIamdoing？Thequestion，letmetellyou，turnsuponthis——whetheryourhomeistobesupported，asyouputit，orwhetherhundredsofnewhomesaretobepreventedfromexisting——hundredsofhomesthatwillneverbebuilt，neverhaveafirelightedontheirhearth，unlessI
succeedincarryingthroughtheschemeIamworkingfornow。ThatisthereasonwhyIhavegivenyouyourchoice。
Aune：Well，ifthatisthewaythingsstand，Ihavenothingmoretosay。
Bernick：Hm——mydearAune，Iamextremelygrievedtothinkthatwearetopart。
Aune：Wearenotgoingtopart，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Howisthat？
Aune：Evenacommonmanlikemyselfhassomethingheisboundtomaintain。
Bernick：Quiteso，quiteso——thenIpresumeyouthinkyoumaypromise——？
Aune：The\"IndianGirl\"shallbereadytosailthedayaftertomorrow。（Bowsandgoesouttotheright。）
Bernick：Ah，Ihavegotthebetterofthatobstinatefellow!I
takeitasagoodomen。（HILMARcomesinthroughthegardendoor，smokingacigar。）
Hilmar（ashecomesupthestepstotheverandah）：Goodmorning，Betty!Goodmorning，Karsten!
Mrs。Bernick：Goodmorning。
Hilmar：Ah，Iseeyouhavebeencrying，soIsupposeyouknowallaboutittoo？
Mrs。Bernick：Knowallaboutwhat？
Hilmar：Thatthescandalisinfullswing。Ugh!
Bernick：Whatdoyoumean？
Hilmar（comingintotheroom）：Why，thatourtwofriendsfromAmericaaredisplayingthemselvesaboutthestreetsinthecompanyofDinaDorf。
Mrs。Bernick（cominginafterhim）：Hilmar，isitpossible？
Hilmar：Yes，unfortunately，itisquitetrue。Lonawasevensowantingintactastocallafterme，butofcourseIappearednottohaveheardher。
Bernick：Andnodoubtallthishasnotbeenunnoticed。
Hilmar：Youmaywellsaythat。Peoplestoodstillandlookedatthem。Itspreadlikewildfirethroughthetown——justlikeaprairiefireoutWest。Ineveryhousepeoplewereatthewindowswaitingfortheprocessiontopass，cheekbyjowlbehindthecurtains——ugh!Oh，youmustexcuseme，Betty，forsaying\"ugh\"——
thishasgotonmynerves。Ifitisgoingon，Ishallbeforcedtothinkaboutgettingrightawayfromhere。
Mrs。Bernick：Butyoushouldhavespokentohimandrepresentedtohimthat——
Hilmar：Intheopenstreet？No，excuseme，Icouldnotdothat。
Tothinkthatthefellowshoulddaretoshowhimselfinthetownatall!Well，weshallseeifthePressdoesn’tputastopperonhim；yes——forgiveme，Betty，but——
Bernick：ThePress，doyousay？Haveyouheardahintofanythingofthesort？
Hilmar：Therearesuchthingsflyingabout。WhenIlefthereyesterdayeveningIlookedinattheclub，becauseIdidnotfeelwell。Isawatonce，fromthesuddensilencethatfellwhenI
wentin，thatourAmericancouplehadbeenthesubjectofconversation。Thenthatimpudentnewspaperfellow，Hammer，cameinandcongratulatedmeatthetopofhisvoiceonthereturnofmyrichcousin。
Bernick：Rich？
Hilmar：Thosewerehiswords。NaturallyIlookedhimupanddowninthemannerhedeserved，andgavehimtounderstandthatIknewnothingaboutJohanTonnesen’sbeingrich。\"Really，\"hesaid，\"thatisveryremarkable。PeopleusuallygetoninAmericawhentheyhavesomethingtostartwith，andIbelieveyourcousindidnotgoovertherequiteempty—handed。\"
Bernick：Hm——nowwillyouobligemeby——
Mrs。Bernick（distressed）：There，yousee，Karsten!
Hilmar：Anyhow，Ihavespentasleeplessnightbecauseofthem。
Andhereheis，walkingaboutthestreetsasifnothingwerethematter。Whycouldn’thedisappearforgoodandall？Itreallyisinsufferablehowhardsomepeoplearetokill。
Mrs。Bernick：MydearHilmar，whatareyousayingP
Hilmar：Oh，nothing。ButherethisfellowescapeswithawholeskinfromrailwayaccidentsandfightswithCaliforniagrizzliesandBlackfootIndians——hasnotevenbeenscalped——。Ugh，heretheycome!
Bernick（lookingdownthestreet）：Olafiswiththemtoo!
Hilmar：Ofcourse!Theywanttoremindeverybodythattheybelongtothebestfamilyinthetown。Lookthere!——lookatthecrowdofloafersthathavecomeoutofthechemist’stostareatthemandmakeremarks。Mynervesreallywon’tstandit；howamanistobeexpectedtokeepthebanneroftheIdealflyingundersuchcircumstances，I——
Bernick：Theyarecominghere。Listen，Betty；itismyparticularwishthatyoushouldreceivetheminthefriendliestpossibleway。
Mrs。Bernick：Oh，mayI，Karsten。
Bernick：Certainly，certainly——andyoutoo，Hilmar。Itistobehopedtheywillnotstayhereverylong；andwhenwearequitebyourselves——noallusionstothepast；wemustnothurttheirfeelingsinanyway。
Mrs。Bernick：Howmagnanimousyouare，Karsten!
Bernick：Oh，don’tspeakofthat。
Mrs。Bernick：Butyoumustletmethankyou；andyoumustforgivemeforbeingsohasty。Iamsureyouhadeveryreasonto——
Bernick：Don’ttalkaboutit，please。
Hilmar：Ugh!
（JOHANTONNESENandDINAcomeupthroughthegarden，followedbyLONAandOLAF。）
Lona：Goodmorning，dearpeople!
Johan：Wehavebeenouthavingalookroundtheoldplace，Karsten。
Bernick：SoIhear。Greatlyaltered，isitnot？
Lona：Mr。Bernick’sgreatandgoodworkseverywhere。WehavebeenupintotheRecreationGroundyouhavepresentedtothetown。
Bernick：Haveyoubeenthere？
Lona：\"ThegiftofKarstenBernick，\"asitsaysoverthegateway。
Youseemtoberesponsibleforthewholeplacehere。
Johan：Splendidshipsyouhavegot，too。Imetmyoldschoolfellow，thecaptainofthe\"PalmTree。\"
Lona：Andyouhavebuiltanewschool—housetoo；andIhearthatthetownhastothankyouforboththegassupplyandthewatersupply。
Bernick：Well，oneoughttoworkforthegoodofthecommunityonelivesin。
Lona：Thatisanexcellentsentiment，brother—in—law，butitisapleasure，allthesame，toseehowpeopleappreciateyou。Iamnotvain，Ihope；butIcouldnotresistremindingoneortwoofthepeoplewetalkedtothatwewererelationsofyours。
Hilmar：Ugh!
Lona：Doyousay\"ugh\"tothat？
Hilmar：No，Isaid\"ahem。\"
Lona：Oh，poorchap，youmaysaythatifyoulike。Butareyouallbyyourselvestoday？
Bernick：Yes，wearebyourselvestoday。
Lona：Ah，yes，wemetacoupleofmembersofyourMoralitySocietyupatthemarket；theymadeouttheywereverybusy。YouandIhaveneverhadanopportunityforagoodtalkyet。
Yesterdayyouhadyourthreepioneershere，aswellastheparson。
Hilmar：Theschoolmaster。
Lona：Icallhimtheparson。Butnowtellmewhatyouthinkofmyworkduringthesefifteenyears？Hasn’thegrownafinefellow？
Whowouldrecognisethemadcapthatranawayfromhome？
Hilmar：Hm!
Johan：Now，Lona，don’tbragtoomuchaboutme。
Lona：Well，IcantellyouIampreciousproudofhim。GoodnessknowsitisabouttheonlythingIhavedoneinmylife；butitdoesgivemeasortofrighttoexist。WhenIthink，Johan，howwetwobeganovertherewithnothingbutourfourbarefists。
Hilmar：Hands。
Lona：Isayfists；andtheyweredirtyfists。
Hilmar：Ugh!
Lona：Andempty，too。
Hilmar：Empty？Well，Imustsay——
Lona：Whatmustyousay？
Bernick：Ahem!
Hilmar：Imustsay——ugh!（Goesoutthroughthegarden。）
Lona：Whatisthematterwiththeman？
Bernick：Oh，donottakeanynoticeofhim；hisnervesareratherupsetjustnow。Wouldyounotliketotakealookatthegarden？
Youhavenotbeendownthereyet，andIhavegotanhourtospare。
Lona：Withpleasure。Icantellyoumythoughtshavebeenwithyouinthisgardenmanyandmanyatime。
Mrs。Bernick：Wehavemadeagreatmanyalterationstheretoo，asyouwillsee。（BERNICK，MRS。BERNICK，andLONAgodowntothegarden，wheretheyarevisibleeverynowandthenduringthefollowingscene。）
Olaf（comingtotheverandahdoor）：UncleHilmar，doyouknowwhatuncleJohanaskedme？HeaskedmeifIwouldgotoAmericawithhim。
Hilmar：You，youduffer，whoaretiedtoyourmother’sapronstrings——!
Olaf：Ah，butIwon’tbethatanylonger。Youwillsee，whenI
growbig。
Hilmar：Oh，fiddlesticks!Youhavenoreallyseriousbenttowardsthestrengthofcharacternecessaryto——。
（Theygodowntothegarden。DINAmeanwhilehastakenoffherhatandisstandingatthedoorontheright，shakingthedustoffherdress。）
Johan（toDINA）：Thewalkhasmadeyouprettywarm。
Dina：Yes，itwasasplendidwalk。Ihaveneverhadsuchasplendidwalkbefore。
Johan：Doyounotoftengoforawalkinthemorning？
Dina：Oh，yes——butonlywithOlaf。
Johan：Isee。——Wouldyourathergodownintothegardenthanstayhere？
Dina：No，Iwouldratherstayhere。
Johan。：SowouldI。Thenshallweconsideritabargainthatwearetogoforawalklikethistogethereverymorning？
Dina：No，Mr。Tonnesen，youmustn’tdothat。
Johan：Whatmustn’tIdo？Youpromised，youknow。
Dina：Yes，but——onsecondthought——youmustn’tgooutwithme。
Johan：Butwhynot？
Dina：Ofcourse，youareastranger——youcannotunderstand；butI
musttellyou——
Johan：Well？
Dina：No，Iwouldrathernottalkaboutit。
Johan：Oh，butyoumust；youcantalktomeaboutwhateveryoulike。
Dina：Well，ImusttellyouthatIamnotliketheotheryounggirlshere。Thereissomething——somethingorotheraboutme。Thatiswhyyoumustn’t。
Johan：ButIdonotunderstandanythingaboutit。Youhavenotdoneanythingwrong？
Dina：No，notI，but——no，Iamnotgoingtotalkanymoreaboutitnow。Youwillhearaboutitfromtheothers，sureenough。
Johan：Hm!
Dina：ButthereissomethingelseIwantverymuchtoaskyou。
Johan：Whatisthat？
Dina：IsupposeitiseasytomakeapositionforoneselfoverinAmerica？
Johan：No，itisnotalwayseasy；atfirstyouoftenhavetoroughitandworkveryhard。
Dina：Ishouldbequitereadytodothat。
Johan：You？
Dina：Icanworknow；Iamstrongandhealthy；andAuntMarthataughtmealot。
Johan：Well，hangit，comebackwithus!
Dina：Ah，nowyouareonlymakingfunofme；yousaidthattoOlaftoo。ButwhatIwantedtoknowisifpeoplearesovery——soverymoraloverthere？
Johan：Moral？
Dina：Yes；Imeanaretheyas——asproperandaswell—behavedastheyarehere？
Johan：Well，atalleventstheyarenotsobadaspeopleheremakeout。Youneednotbeafraidonthatscore。
Dina：Youdon’tunderstandme。WhatIwanttohearisjustthattheyarenotsoproperandsomoral。
Johan：Not？Whatwouldyouwishthemtobe，then？
Dina：Iwouldwishthemtobenatural。
Johan：Well，Ibelievethatisjustwhattheyare。
Dina：BecauseinthatcaseIshouldgetonifIwentthere。
Johan：Youwould，forcertain!——andthatiswhyyoumustcomebackwithus。
