第3章

Krap：Verywell——sobeit；butifeverwehearofthatshipagain——hm! （VIGELANDcomesinfromtheright。） Vigeland：Iwishyouaverygoodmorning，Mr。Bernick。Haveyouamomenttospare？ Bernick：Atyourservice，Mr。Vigeland。 Vigeland：Ionlywanttoknowifyouarealsoofopinionthatthe\"PalmTree\"shouldsailtomorrow？ Bernick：Certainly；Ithoughtthatwasquitesettled。 Vigeland：Well，thecaptaincametomejustnowandtoldmethatstormsignalshavebeenhoisted。 Bernick：Oh!Arewetoexpectastorm？ Vigeland：Astiffbreeze，atallevents；butnotacontrarywind— —justtheopposite。 Bernick：Hm——well，whatdoyousay？ Vigeland：Isay，asIsaidtothecaptain，thatthe\"PalmTree\" isinthehandsofProvidence。Besides，theyareonlygoingacrosstheNorthSeaatfirst；andinEngland，freightsarerunningtolerablyhighjustnow，sothat—— Bernick：Yes，itwouldprobablymeanalossforusifwewaited。 Vigeland：Besides，sheisastoutship，andfullyinsuredaswell。Itismorerisky，now，forthe\"IndianGirl\"—— Bernick：Whatdoyoumean？ Vigeland：Shesailstomorrow，too。 Bernick：Yes，theownershavebeeninsuchahurry，and，besides—— Vigeland：Well，ifthatoldhulkcanventureout——andwithsuchacrew，intothebargain——itwouldbeadisgracetousifwe—— Bernick：Quiteso。Ipresumeyouhavetheship’spaperswithyou。 Vigeland：Yes，heretheyare。 Bernick：Good；thenwillyougoinwithMr。Krap？ Krap：Willyoucomeinhere，sir，andwewilldisposeofthematonce。 Vigeland：Thankyou。——AndtheissueweleaveinthehandsoftheAlmighty，Mr。Bernick。（GoeswithKRAPintoBERNICK’Sroom。 RORLUNDcomesupfromthegarden。） Rorlund：Athomeatthistimeofday，Mr。Bernick？ Bernick（lostinthought）：Asyousee。 Rorlund：Itwasreallyonyourwife’saccountIcame。Ithoughtshemightbeinneedofawordofcomfort。 Bernick：Verylikelysheis。ButIwanttohavealittletalkwithyou，too。 Rorlund：Withthegreatestofpleasure，Mr。Bernick。Butwhatisthematterwithyou？Youlookquitepaleandupset。 Bernick：Really？DoI？Well，whatelsecouldyouexpect——amansoloadedwithresponsibilitiesasIam？Thereisallmyownbigbusiness——andnowtheplanningofthisrailway。——Buttellmesomething，Mr。Rorlund，letmeputaquestiontoyou。 Rorlund：Withpleasure，Mr。Bernick。 Bernick：Itisaboutathoughtthathasoccurredtome。Supposeamanisfacetofacewithanundertakingwhichwillconcernthewelfareofthousands，andsupposeitshouldbenecessarytomakeasacrificeofone——？ Rorlund：Whatdoyoumean？ Bernick：Forexample，supposeamanwerethinkingofstartingalargefactory。Heknowsforcertain——becauseallhisexperiencehastaughthimso——thatsoonerorlateratollofhumanlifewillbeexactedintheworkingofthatfactory。 Rorlund：Yes，thatisonlytooprobable。 Bernick：Or，sayamanembarksonaminingenterprise。Hetakesintohisservicefathersoffamiliesandyoungmeninthefirstflushoftheiryouth。Isitnotquitesafetopredictthatallofthemwillnotcomeoutofitalive？ Rorlund：Yes，unhappilythatisquitetrue。 Bernick：Well——amaninthatpositionwillknowbeforehandthattheundertakingheproposestostartmustundoubtedly，atsometimeorother，meanalossofhumanlife。Buttheundertakingitselfisforthepublicgood；foreveryman’slifethatitcosts，itwillundoubtedlypromotethewelfareofmanyhundreds。 Rorlund：Ah，youarethinkingoftherailway——ofallthedangerousexcavatingandblasting，andthatsortofthing—— Bernick：Yes——quiteso——Iamthinkingoftherailway。And，besides，thecomingoftherailwaywillmeanthestartingoffactoriesandmines。Butdonotthink，nevertheless—— Rorlund：MydearMr。Bernick，youarealmostover—conscientious。 WhatIthinkisthat，ifyouplacetheaffairinthehandsofProvidence—— Bernick：Yes——exactly；Providence—— Rorlund：Youareblamelessinthematter。Goonandbuildyourrailwayhopefully。 Bernick：Yes，butnowIwillputaspecialinstancetoyou。 Supposeachargeofblasting—powderhadtobeexplodedinadangerousplace，andthatunlessitwereexplodedthelinecouldnotbeconstructed？Supposetheengineerknewthatitwouldcostthelifeoftheworkmanwholitthefuse，butthatithadtobelit，andthatitwastheengineer’sdutytosendaworkmantodoit？ Rorlund：Hm—— Bernick：Iknowwhatyouwillsay。Itwouldbeasplendidthingiftheengineertookthematchhimselfandwentandlitthefuse。 Butthatisoutofthequestion，sohemustsacrificeaworkman。 Rorlund：Thatisathingnoengineerherewouldeverdo。 Bernick：Noengineerinthebiggercountrieswouldthinktwiceaboutdoingit。 Rorlund：Inthebiggercountries？No，Icanquitebelieveit。Inthosedepravedandunprincipledcommunities。 Bernick：Oh，thereisagooddealtobesaidforthosecommunities。 Rorlund：Canyousaythat？——you，whoyourself—— Bernick：Inthebiggercommunitiesamanfindsspacetocarryoutavaluableproject——findsthecouragetomakesomesacrificeinagreatcause；buthere，amaniscrampedbyallkindsofpettyconsiderationsandscruples。 Rorlund：Ishumanlifeapettyconsideration？ Bernick：Whenthathumanlifethreatensthewelfareofthousands。 Rorlund：Butyouaresuggestingcasesthatarequiteinconceivable，Mr。Bernick!Idonotunderstandyouatalltoday。 Andyouquotethebiggercountries——well，whatdotheythinkofhumanlifethere？Theylookuponitsimplyaspartofthecapitaltheyhavetouse。Butwelookatthingsfromasomewhatdifferentmoralstandpoint，Ishouldhope。Lookatourrespectedshippingindustry!Canyounameasingleoneofourship—ownerswhowouldsacrificeahumanlifeforthesakeofpaltrygain？Andthenthinkofthosescoundrelsinthebiggercountries，whoforthesakeofprofitsendoutfreightsinoneunseaworthyshipafteranother—— Bernick：Iamnottalkingofunseaworthyships! Rorlund：ButIam，Mr。Bernick。 Bernick：Yes，buttowhatpurpose？Theyhavenothingtodowiththequestion——Oh，thesesmall，timidconsiderations!IfaGeneralfromthiscountryweretotakehismenunderfireandsomeofthemwereshot，Isupposehewouldhavesleeplessnightsafterit!Itisnotsoinothercountries。Youshouldbearwhatthatfellowintheresays—— Rorlund：He？Who？TheAmerican——？ Bernick：Yes。YoushouldhearhowinAmerica—— Rorlund：He，inthere？Andyoudidnottellme？Ishallatonce—— Bernick：Itisnouse；youwon’tbeabletodoanythingwithhim。 Rorlund：Weshallsee。Ah，herehecomes。（JOHANcomesinfromtheotherroom。） Johan（talkingbackthroughtheopendoor）：Yes，yes，Dina——asyouplease；butIdonotmeantogiveyouup，allthesame。I shallcomeback，andtheneverythingwillcomerightbetweenus。 Rorlund：Excuseme，butwhatdidyoumeanbythat？Whatisityouproposetodo？ Johan：Iproposethatthatyounggirl，beforewhomyoublackenedmycharacteryesterday，shallbecomemywife。 Rorlund：Yourwife？Andcanyoureallysupposethat——？ Johan：Imeantomarryher。 Rorlund：Well，thenyoushallknowthetruth。（Goestothehalf— opendoor。）Mrs。Bernick，willyoubesokindastocomeandbeawitness——andyoutoo，MissMartha。AndletDinacome。（SeesLONA atthedoor。）Ah，youheretoo？ Lona：ShallIcometoo？ Rorlund：Asmanyasyouplease——themorethebetter。 Bernick：Whatareyougoingtodo？（LONA，MRS。BERNICK，MARTHA，DINAandHILMARcomeinfromtheotherroom。） Mrs。Bernick：Mr。Rorlund，Ihavetriedmyhardest，butIcannotpreventhim…… Rorlund：Ishallpreventhim，Mrs。Bernick。Dina，youareathoughtlessgirl，butIdonotblameyousogreatly。Youhavetoolonglackedthenecessarymoralsupportthatshouldhavesustainedyou。Iblamemyselffornothavingaffordedyouthatsupport。 Dina：Youmustn’tspeaknow! Mrs。Bernick：Whatisit？ Rorlund：ItisnowthatImustspeak，Dina，althoughyourconductyesterdayandtodayhasmadeittentimesmoredifficultforme。 Butallotherconsiderationsmustgivewaytothenecessityforsavingyou。YourememberthatIgaveyoumyword；yourememberwhatyoupromisedyouwouldanswerwhenIjudgedthattherighttimehadcome。NowIdarenothesitateanylonger，andtherefore— —。（TurnstoJOHAN。）Thisyounggirl，whomyouarepersecuting，ismybetrothed。 Mrs。Bernick：What？ Bernick：Dina! Johan：She？Your——？ Martha：No，no，Dina! Lona：Itisalie! Johan：Dina——isthismanspeakingthetruth？ Dina（afterashortpause）：Yes。 Rorlund：Ihopethishasrenderedallyourartsofseductionpowerless。ThestepIhavedeterminedtotakeforDina’sgood，I nowwishopenlyproclaimedtoeveryone。Icherishthecertainhopethatitwillnotbemisinterpreted。Andnow，Mrs。Bernick，I thinkitwillbebestforustotakeherawayfromhere，andtrytobringbackpeaceandtranquillitytohermind。 Mrs。Bernick：Yes，comewithme。Oh，Dina——whataluckygirlyouare!（TakesDINAOuttotheleft；RORLUNDfollowsthem。） Martha：Good—bye，Johan!（Goesout。） Hilmar（attheverandahdoor）：Hm——Ireallymustsay…… Lona（whohasfollowedDINAwithhereyes，toJOHAN）：Don’tbedownhearted，myboy!Ishallstayhereandkeepmyeyeontheparson。（Goesouttotheright。） Bernick：Johan，youwon’tsailinthe\"IndianGirl\"now？ Johan：IndeedIshall。 Bernick：Butyouwon’tcomeback？ Johan：Iamcomingback。 Bernick：Afterthis？Whathaveyoutodohereafterthis？ Johan：Revengemyselfonyouall；crushasmanyofyouasIcan。 （Goesouttotheright。VIGELANDandKRAPcomeinfromBERNICK’S room。） Vigeland：There，nowthepapersareinorder，Mr。Bernick。 Bernick：Good，good。 Krap（inalowvoice）：AndIsupposeitissettledthatthe\"IndianGirl\"istosailtomorrow？ Bernick：Yes。（Goesintohisroom。VIGELANDandKRAPgoouttotheright。HILMARisjustgoingafterthem，whenOLAFputshisheadcarefullyoutofthedoorontheleft。） Olaf：Uncle!UncleHilmar! Hilmar：Ugh，isityou？Whydon’tyoustayupstairs？Youknowyouareconfinedtothehouse。 Olaf（comingasteportwonearer）：Hush!UncleHilmar，haveyouheardthenews？ Hilmar：Yes，Ihaveheardthatyougotathrashingtoday。 Olaf（lookingthreateninglytowardshisfather’sroom）：Heshan’tthrashmeanymore。ButhaveyouheardthatUncleJohanisgoingtosailtomorrowwiththeAmericans？ Hilmar：Whathasthatgottodowithyou？Youhadbetterrunupstairsagain。 Olaf：PerhapsIshallbegoingforabuffalohunt，too，oneofthesedays，uncle。 Hilmar：Rubbish!Acowardlikeyou—— Olaf：Yes——justyouwait!Youwilllearnsomethingtomorrow! Hilmar：Duffer!（Goesoutthroughthegarden。OLAFrunsintotheroomagainandshutsthedoor，asheseesKRAPcominginfromtheright。） Krap（goingtothedoorofBERNICK’Sroomandopeningitslightly）：Excusemybotheringyouagain，Mr。Bernick；butthereisatremendousstormblowingup。（Waitsamoment，butthereisnoanswer。）Isthe\"IndianGirl\"tosail，forallthat？（Afterashortpause，thefollowinganswerisheard。） Bernick（fromhisroom）：The\"IndianGirl\"istosail，forallthat。 （KRAPShutsthedoorandgoesoutagaintotheright。） ACTIV （SCENE——Thesameroom。Thework—tablehasbeentakenaway。Itisastormyeveningandalreadydusk。Darknesssetsinasthefollowingsceneisinprogress。Aman—servantislightingthechandelier；twomaidsbringinpotsofflowers，lampsandcandles，whichtheyplaceontablesandstandsalongthewalls。 RUMMEL，indressclothes，withglovesandawhitetie，isstandingintheroomgivinginstructionstotheservants。） Rummel：Onlyeveryothercandle，Jacob。Itmustnotlookasifitwerearrangedfortheoccasion——ithastocomeasasurprise，youknow。Andalltheseflowers——？Oh，well，letthembe；itwillprobablylookasiftheystoodthereeveryday。（BERNICKcomesoutofhisroom。） Bernick（stoppingatthedoor）：Whatdoesthismean？ Rummel：Ohdear，isityou？（Totheservants。）Yes，youmightleaveusforthepresent。（Theservantsgoout。） Bernick：But，Rummel，whatisthemeaningofthis？ Rummel：Itmeansthattheproudestmomentofyourlifehascome。 Aprocessionofhisfellowcitizensiscomingtodohonourtothefirstmanofthetown。 Bernick：What! Rummel：Inprocession——withbannersandaband!Weoughttohavehadtorchestoo；butwedidnotliketoriskthatinthisstormyweather。Therewillbeilluminations——andthatalwayssoundswellinthenewspapers。 Bernick：Listen，Rummel——Iwon’thaveanythingtodowiththis。 Rummel：Butitistoolatenow；theywillbehereinhalf—an— hour。 Bernick：Butwhydidyounottellmeaboutthisbefore？ Rummel：JustbecauseIwasafraidyouwouldraiseobjectionstoit。ButIconsultedyourwife；sheallowedmetotakechargeofthearrangements，whileshelooksaftertherefreshments。 Bernick（listening）：Whatisthatnoise？Aretheycomingalready？ IfancyIhearsinging。 Rummel（goingtotheverandahdoor）：Singing？Oh，thatisonlytheAmericans。The\"IndianGirl\"isbeingtowedout。 Bernick：Towedout？Oh，yes。No，Rummel，Icannotthisevening；I amnotwell。 Rummel：Youcertainlydolookbad。Butyoumustpullyourselftogether；deviltakeit——youmust!SandstadandVigelandandI allattachthegreatestimportancetocarryingthisthingthrough。Wehavegottocrushouropponentsundertheweightofascompleteanexpressionofpublicopinionaspossible。Rumoursaregettingaboutthetown；ourannouncementaboutthepurchaseofthepropertycannotbewithheldanylonger。Itisimperativethatthisveryevening——aftersongsandspeeches，amidsttheclinkofglasses——inaword，inanebullientatmosphereoffestivity—— youshouldinformthemoftheriskyouhaveincurredforthegoodofthecommunity。Insuchanebullientatmosphereoffestivity—— asIjustnowdescribedit——youcandoanastonishinglotwiththepeoplehere。Butyoumusthavethatatmosphere，orthethingwon’tgo。 Bernick：Yes，yes。 Rummel：Andespeciallywhensodelicateandticklishapointhastobenegotiated。Well，thankgoodness，youhaveanamethatwillbeatowerofstrength，Bernick。Butlistennow；wemustmakeourarrangements，tosomeextent。Mr。HilmarTonnesenhaswrittenanodetoyou。Itbeginsverycharminglywiththewords：\"RaisetheIdeal’sbannerhigh!\"AndMr。Rorlundhasundertakenthetaskofmakingthespeechoftheevening。Ofcourseyoumustreplytothat。 Bernick：Icannottonight，Rummel。Couldn’tyou——？ Rummel：Itisimpossible，howeverwillingImightbe；because，asyoucanimagine，hisspeechwillbeespeciallyaddressedtoyou。 Ofcourseitispossiblehemaysayawordortwoabouttherestofus；IhavespokentoVigelandandSandstadaboutit。Ourideaisthat，inreplying，youshouldproposethetoastof\"ProsperitytoourCommunity\"；Sandstadwillsayafewwordsonthesubjectofharmoniousrelationsbetweenthedifferentstrataofsociety； thenVigelandwillexpressthehopethatthisnewundertakingmaynotdisturbthesoundmoralbasisuponwhichourcommunitystands；andIpropose，inafewsuitablewords，torefertotheladies，whoseworkforthecommunity，thoughmoreinconspicuous，isfarfrombeingwithoutitsimportance。Butyouarenotlisteningtome。 Bernick：Yes——indeedIam。But，tellme，doyouthinkthereisaveryheavysearunningoutside？ Rummel：Why，areyounervousaboutthe\"PalmTree\"？Sheisfullyinsured，youknow。 Bernick：Yes，sheisinsured；but—— Rummel：Andingoodrepair——andthatisthemainthing。 Bernick：Hm——。Supposinganythingdoeshappentoaship，itdoesn’tfollowthathumanlifewillbeindanger，doesit？Theshipandthecargomaybelost——andonemightloseone’sboxesandpapers—— Rummel：GoodLord——boxesandpapersarenotofmuchconsequence。 Bernick：Notofmuchconsequence!No，no；Ionlymeant——。Hush——I hearvoicesagain。 Rummel：Itisonboardthe\"PalmTree。\" （VIGELANDcomesinfromtheright。） Vigeland：Yes，theyarejusttowingthe\"PalmTree\"out。Goodevening，Mr。Bernick。 Bernick：Andyou，asaseafaringman，arestillofopinionthat—— Vigeland：IputmytrustinProvidence，Mr。Bernick。Moreover，I havebeenonboardmyselfanddistributedafewsmalltractswhichIhopemaycarryablessingwiththem。 （SANDSTADandKRAPcomeinfromtheright。） Sandstad（tosomeoneatthedoor）：Well，ifthatgetsthroughallright，anythingwill。（Comesin。）Ah，goodevening，goodevening! Bernick：Isanythingthematter，Krap？ Krap：Isaynothing，Mr。Bernick。 Sandstad：Theentirecrewofthe\"IndianGirl\"aredrunk；Iwillstakemyreputationonitthattheywon’tcomeoutofitalive。 （LONAcomesinfromtheright。） Lona：Ah，nowIcansayhisgood—byesforhim。 Bernick：Isheonboardalready？ Lona：Hewillbedirectly，atanyrate。Wepartedoutsidethehotel。 Bernick：Andhepersistsinhisintention？ Lona：Asfirmasarock。 Rummel（whoisfumblingatthewindow）：Confoundthesenew— fangledcontrivances；Icannotgetthecurtainsdrawn。 Lona：Doyouwantthemdrawn？Ithought，onthecontrary—— Rummel：Yes，drawnatfirst，MissHessel。Youknowwhatisinthewind，Isuppose？ Lona：Yes。Letmehelpyou。（Takesholdofthecords。）Iwilldrawdownthecurtainsonmybrother—in—law——thoughIwouldmuchratherdrawthemup。 Rummel：Youcandothattoo，lateron。Whenthegardenisfilledwithasurgingcrowd，thenthecurtainsshallbedrawnback，andtheywillbeabletolookinuponasurprisedandhappyfamily。 Citizens’livesshouldbesuchthattheycanliveinglasshouses!（BERNICKopenshismouth，asthoughheweregoingtosaysomething；butheturnshurriedlyawayandgoesintohisroom。） Rummel：Comealong，letushaveafinalconsultation。Comein，too，Mr。Krap；youmustassistuswithinformationononeortwopointsofdetail。（AllthemengointoBERNICK’Sroom。LONAhasdrawnthecurtainsoverthewindows，andisjustgoingtodothesameovertheopenglassdoor，whenOLAFjumpsdownfromtheroomaboveontothegardensteps；hehasawrapoverhisshouldersandabundleinhishand。） Lona：Blessme，child，howyoufrightenedme! Olaf（hidinghisbundle）：Hush，aunt! Lona：Didyoujumpoutofthewindow？Whereareyougoing？ Olaf：Hush!——don’tsayanything。IwanttogotoUncleJohan—— onlyontothequay，youknow——onlytosaygoodbyetohim。Good— night，aunt!（Runsoutthroughthegarden。） Lona：No——stop!Olaf——Olaf! （JOHAN，dressedforhisjourney，withabagoverhisshoulder，comeswarilyinbythedoorontheright。） Johan：Lona! Lona（turninground）：What!Backagain？ Johan：Ihavestillafewminutes。Imustseeheroncemore；wecannotpartlikethis。（Thefartherdoorontheleftopens，andMARTHAandDINA，bothwithcloakson，andthelattercarryingasmalltravellingbaginherhand，comein。） Dina：Letmegotohim!Letmegotohim! Martha：Yes，youshallgotohim，Dina! Dina：Thereheis! Johan：Dina! Dina：Takemewithyou! Johan：What——! Lona：Youmeanit？ Dina：Yes，takemewithyou。Theotherhaswrittentomethathemeanstoannouncetoeveryonethisevening。 Johan：Dina——youdonotlovehim？ Dina：Ihaveneverlovedtheman!Iwouldratherdrownmyselfinthefjordthanbeengagedtohim!Oh，howhehumiliatedmeyesterdaywithhiscondescendingmanner!Howclearhemadeitthathefelthewasliftingupapoordespisedcreaturetohisownlevel!Idonotmeantobedespisedanylonger。Imeantogoaway。MayIgowithyou？ Johan：Yes，yes——athousandtimes，yes! Dina：Iwillnotbeaburdentoyoulong。Onlyhelpmetogetoverthere；helpmetogotherightwayaboutthingsatfirst。 Johan：Hurrah，itisallrightafterall，Dina! Lona（pointingtoBERNICK’Sdoor）：Hush!——gently，gently! Johan：Dina，Ishalllookafteryou。 Dina：Iamnotgoingtoletyoudothat。Imeantolookaftermyself；overthere，IamsureIcandothat。Onlyletmegetawayfromhere。Oh，thesewomen!——youdon’tknow——theyhavewrittentometoday，too——exhortingmetorealisemygoodfortune—— impressingonmehowmagnanimoushehasbeen。Tomorrow，andeverydayafterwards，theywouldbewatchingmetoseeifIweremakingmyselfworthyofitall。Iamsickandtiredofallthisgoodness! Johan：Tellme，Dina——isthattheonlyreasonyouarecomingaway？Amlnothingtoyou？ Dina：Yes，Johan，youaremoretomethananyoneelseintheworld。 Johan：Oh，Dina——! Dina：EveryoneheretellsmeIoughttohateanddetestyou—— thatitismyduty；butIcannotseethatitismyduty，andshallneverbeableto。 Lona：Nomoreyoushall，mydear! Martha：No，indeedyoushallnot；andthatiswhyyoushallgowithhimashiswife。 Johan：Yes，yes! Lona：What？Givemeakiss，Martha。Ineverexpectedthatfromyou! Martha：No，Idaresaynot；Iwouldnothaveexpecteditmyself。 ButIwasboundtobreakoutsometime!Ah，whatwesufferunderthetyrannyofhabitandcustom!Makeastandagainstthat，Dina。 Behiswife。Letmeseeyoudefyallthisconvention。 Johan：Whatisyouranswer，Dina？ Dina：Yes，Iwillbeyourwife。 Johan：Dina! Dina：ButfirstofallIwanttowork——tomakesomethingofmyself——asyouhavedone。Iamnotgoingtobemerelyathingthatistaken。 Lona：Quiteright——thatistheway。 Johan：Verywell；Ishallwaitandhope— Lona：Andwin，myboy!Butnowyoumustgetonboard! Johan：Yes，onboard!Ah，Lona，mydearsister，justonewordwithyou。Lookhere——（Hetakesherintothebackgroundandtalkshurriedlytoher。） Martha：Dina，youluckygirl，letmelookatyou，andkissyouoncemore——forthelasttime。 Dina：Notforthelasttime；no，mydarlingaunt，weshallmeetagain。 Martha：Never!Promiseme，Dina，nevertocomeback!（Graspsherhandsandlooksather。）Nowgotoyourhappiness，mydearchild— —acrossthesea。Howoften，inmyschoolroom，Ihaveyearnedtobeoverthere!Itmustbebeautiful；theskiesareloftierthanhere——afreerairplaysaboutyourhead—— Dina：Oh，AuntMartha，somedayyouwillfollowus。 Martha：I？Never——never。Ihavemylittlevocationhere，andnowIreallybelieveIcanlivetothefullthelifethatIought。 Dina：Icannotimaginebeingpartedfromyou。 Martha：Ah，onecanpartfrommuch，Dina。（Kissesher。）ButI hopeyoumayneverexperiencethat，mysweetchild。Promisemetomakehimhappy。 Dina：Iwillpromisenothing；Ihatepromises；thingsmusthappenastheywill。 Martha：Yes，yes，thatistrue；onlyremainwhatyouare——trueandfaithfultoyourself。 Dina：Iwill，aunt。 Lona（puttingintoherpocketsomepapersthatJOHANhasgivenher）：Splendid，splendid，mydearboy。Butnowyoumustbeoff。 Johan：Yes，wehavenotimetowastenow。Goodbye，Lona，andthankyouforallyourlove。Goodbye，Martha，andthankyou，too，foryourloyalfriendship。 Martha：Goodbye，Johan!Goodbye，Dina!Andmayyoubehappyallyourlives!（SheandLONAhurrythemtothedoorattheback。 JOHANandDINAgoquicklydownthestepsandthroughthegarden。 LONAshutsthedooranddrawsthecurtainsoverit。） Lona：Nowwearealone，Martha。YouhavelostherandIhim。 Martha：You——losthim？ Lona：Oh，Ihadalreadyhalflosthimoverthere。Theboywaslongingtostandonhisownfeet；thatwaswhyIpretendedtobesufferingfromhomesickness。 Martha：Sothatwasit？Ah，thenIunderstandwhyyoucame。Buthewillwantyouback，Lona。 Lona：Anoldstep—sister——whatusewillhehaveforhernow？Menbreakmanyverydeartiestowintheirhappiness。 Martha：Thatsometimesisso。 Lona：Butwetwowillsticktogether，Martha。 Martha：CanIbeanythingtoyou？ Lona：Whomoreso？Wetwofoster—sisters——haven’twebothlostourchildren？Nowwearealone。 Martha：Yes，alone。Andtherefore，yououghttoknowthistoo——I lovedhimmorethananythingintheworld。 Lona：Martha!（Graspsherbythearm。）Isthattrue？ Martha：Allmyexistenceliesinthosewords。Ihavelovedhimandwaitedforhim。EverysummerIwaitedforhimtocome。Andthenhecame——buthehadnoeyesforme。 Lona：Youlovedhim!Anditwasyouyourselfthatputhishappinessintohishands。 Martha：OughtInottobetheonetoputhishappinessintohishands，sinceIlovedhim？Yes，Ihavelovedhim。Allmylifehasbeenforhim，eversincehewentaway。WhatreasonhadItohope，youmean？Oh，IthinkIhadsomereason，allthesame。Butwhenhecameback——thenitseemedasifeverythinghadbeenwipedoutofhismemory。Hehadnoeyesforme。 Lona：ItwasDinathatovershadowedyou，Martha？ Martha：Anditisagoodthingshedid。Atthetimehewentaway，wewereofthesameage；butwhenIsawhimagain——oh，thatdreadfulmoment!——IrealisedthatnowIwastenyearsolderthanhe。Hehadgoneoutintothebrightsparklingsunshine，andbreathedinyouthandhealthwitheverybreath；andhereIsatmeanwhile，spinningandspinning—— Lona：Spinningthethreadofhishappiness，Martha。 Martha：Yes，itwasagoldenthreadIspun。Nobitterness!Wehavebeentwogoodsisterstohim，haven’twe，Lona？ Lona（throwingherarmsroundher）：Martha! （BERNICKcomesinfromhisroom。） Bernick（totheothermen，whoareinhisroom）：Yes，yes，arrangeitanywayyouplease。Whenthetimecomes，Ishallbeableto——。（Shutsthedoor。）Ah，youarehere。Lookhere，Martha— —Ithinkyouhadbetterchangeyourdress；andtellBettytodothesame。Idon’twantanythingelaborate，ofcourse——somethinghomely，butneat。Butyoumustmakehaste。 Lona：Andabright，cheerfulface，Martha；youreyesmustlookhappy。 Bernick：Olafistocomedownstairstoo；Iwillhavehimbesideme。 Lona：Hm!Olaf。 Martha：IwillgiveBettyyourmessage。（Goesoutbythefartherdoorontheleft。） Lona：Well，thegreatandsolemnmomentisathand。 Bernick（walkinguneasilyupanddown）：Yes，itis。 Lona：AtsuchamomentIshouldthinkamanwouldfeelproudandhappy。 Bernick（lookingather）：Hm! Lona：Ihearthewholetownistobeilluminated。 Bernick：Yes，theyhavesomeideaofthatsort。 Lona：Allthedifferentclubswillassemblewiththeirbanners—— yournamewillblazeoutinlettersoffire——tonightthetelegraphwillflashthenewstoeverypartofthecountry：\"Inthebosomofhishappyfamily，Mr。Bernickreceivedthehomageofhisfellowcitizens，asoneofthepillarsofsociety。\" Bernick：Thatisso；andtheywillbegintocheeroutside，andthecrowdwillshoutinfrontofmyhouseuntilIshallbeobligedtogooutandbowtothemandthankthem。 Lona：Obligedto？ Bernick。DoyousupposeIshallfeelhappyatthatmoment？ Lona：No，Idon’tsupposeyouwillfeelsoveryhappy。 Bernick：Lona，youdespiseme。 Lona：Notyet。 Bernick：Andyouhavenorightto；norighttodespiseme!Lona，youcanhavenoideahowutterlyaloneIstandinthiscrampedandstuntedcommunity——whereIhavehad，yearafteryear，tostiflemyambitionforafullerlife。Myworkmayseemmany— sided，butwhathaveIreallyaccomplished？Oddsandends—— scraps。Theywouldnotstandanythingelsehere。IfIweretogoastepinadvanceoftheopinionsandviewsthatarecurrentatthemoment，Ishouldloseallmyinfluence。Doyouknowwhatweare——wewhoarelookeduponaspillarsofsociety？Wearenothingmore，norless，thanthetoolsofsociety。 Lona：Whyhaveyouonlybeguntorealisethatnow？ Bernick：BecauseIhavebeenthinkingagreatdeallately——sinceyoucameback——andthiseveningIhavethoughtmoreseriouslythaneverbefore。Oh，Lona，whydidnotIreallyknowyouthen—— intheolddays，Imean？ Lona：Andifyouhad？ Bernick：Ishouldneverhaveletyougo；and，ifIhadhadyou，I shouldnotbeinthepositionIamintonight。 Lona：Anddoyouneverconsiderwhatshemighthavebeentoyou—— shewhomyouchoseinmyplace？ Bernick：Iknow，atallevents，thatshehasbeennothingtomeofwhatIneeded。 Lona：Becauseyouhaveneversharedyourinterestswithher； becauseyouhaveneverallowedherfullandfrankexchangeofthoughtswithyou；becauseyouhaveallowedhertobeborneunderbyself—reproachfortheshameyoucastupononewhowasdeartoher。 Bernick：Yes，yes；itallcomesfromlyinganddeceit。 Lona：Thenwhynotbreakwithallthislyinganddeceit？ Bernick：Now？Itistoolatenow，Lona。 Lona：Karsten，tellme——whatgratificationdoesallthisshowanddeceptionbringyou？ Bernick：Itbringsmenone。Imustdisappearsomeday，andallthiscommunityofbunglerswithme。Butagenerationisgrowingupthatwillfollowus；itismysonthatIworkfor——Iamprovidingacareerforhim。Therewillcomeatimewhentruthwillenterintothelifeofthecommunity，andonthatfoundationheshallbuildupahappierexistencethanhisfather。 Lona：Withalieatthebottomofitall？Considerwhatsortofaninheritanceitisthatyouareleavingtoyourson。 Bernick（intonesofsuppresseddespair）：Itisathousandtimesworsethanyouthink。Butsurelysomedaythecursemustbelifted；andyet——nevertheless——。（Vehemently。）HowcouldIbringallthisuponmyownhead!Still，itisdonenow；Imustgoonwithitnow。Youshallnotsucceedincrushingme!（HILMARcomesinhurriedlyandagitatedlyfromtheright，withanopenletterinhishand。） Hilmar：Butthisis——Betty，Betty。 Bernick：Whatisthematter？Aretheycomingalready？ Hilmar：No，no——butImustspeaktosomeoneimmediately。（Goesoutthroughthefartherdoorontheleft。） Lona：Karsten，youtalkaboutourhavingcomeheretocrushyou。 Soletmetellyouwhatsortofstuffthisprodigalson，whomyourmoralcommunityshunsasifhehadtheplague，ismadeof。 Hecandowithoutanyofyou——forheisawaynow。 Bernick：ButhesaidhemeanttocomebackLona：Johanwillnevercomeback。Heisgoneforgood，andDinawithhim。 Bernick：Nevercomeback？——andDinawithhim？ Lona：Yes，tobehiswife。Thatishowthesetwostrikeyourvirtuouscommunityintheface，justasIdidonce——butnevermindthat。 Bernick：Gone——andshetoo——inthe\"IndianGirl\"—— Lona：No；hewouldnottrustsopreciousafreighttothatrascallycrew。JohanandDinaareonthe\"PalmTree。\" Bernick：Ah!Thenitisallinvain——（Goeshurriedlytothedoorofhisroom，opensitandcallsin。）Krap，stopthe\"IndianGirl\"——shemustnotsailtonight! Krap（fromwithin）：The\"IndianGirl\"isalreadystandingouttosea，Mr。Bernick。 Bernick（shuttingthedoorandspeakingfaintly）：Toolate——andalltonopurpose—— Lona：Whatdoyoumean？ Bernick：Nothing，nothing。Leavemealone! Lona：Hm!——lookhere，Karsten。Johanwasgoodenoughtosaythatheentrustedtomethegoodnameandreputationthatheoncelenttoyou，andalsothegoodnamethatyoustolefromhimwhilehewasaway。Johanwillholdhistongue；andIcanactjustasI pleaseinthematter。See，Ihavetwolettersinmyhand。 Bernick：Youhavegotthem!Andyoumeannow——thisveryevening— perhapswhentheprocessioncomes—— Lona：Ididnotcomebackheretobetrayyou，buttostiryourconsciencesothatyoushouldspeakofyourownfreewill。Ididnotsucceedindoingthat——soyoumustremainasyouare，withyourlifefoundeduponalie。Look，Iamtearingyourtwolettersinpieces。Takethewretchedthings——thereyouare。Nowthereisnoevidenceagainstyou，Karsten。Youaresafenow；behappy，too——ifyoucan。 Bernick（muchmoved）：Lona——whydidyounotdothatsooner! Nowitistoolate；lifenolongerseemsgoodtome；Icannotliveonaftertoday。 Lona：Whathashappened？ Bernick：Donotaskme——ButImustliveon，nevertheless!Iwilllive——forOlaf’ssake。Heshallmakeamendsforeverything——expiateeverything。 Lona：Karsten——!（HILMARcomeshurriedlyback。） Hilmar：Icannotfindanyone；theyareallout——evenBetty! Bernick：Whatisthematterwithyou？ Hilmar：Idaren’ttellyou。 Bernick：Whatisit？Youmusttellme! Hilmar：Verywell——Olafhasrunaway，onboardthe\"IndianGirl。\" Bernick（stumblingback）：Olaf——onboardthe\"IndianGirl\"!No，no! Lona：Yes，heis!NowIunderstand——Isawhimjumpoutofthewindow。 Bernick（callsinthroughthedoorofhisroominadespairingvoice）： Krap，stopthe\"IndianGirl\"atanycost! Krap：Itisimpossible，sir。Howcanyousuppose——？ Bernick：Wemuststopher；Olafisonboard! Krap：What! Rummel（comingoutofBERNICK’Sroom）：Olaf，runaway？Impossible! Sandstad（followinghim）：Hewillbesentbackwiththepilot，Mr。 Bernick。 Hilmar：No，no；hehaswrittentome。（Showstheletter。）Hesayshemeanstohideamongthecargotilltheyareintheopensea。 Bernick：Ishallneverseehimagain! Rummel：Whatnonsense!——agoodstrongship，newlyrepaired…… Vigeland（whohasfollowedtheothersoutofBERNICK’Sroom）：Andinyourownyard，Mr。Bernick! Bernick：Ishallneverseehimagain，Itellyou。Ihavelosthim，Lona；and——Iseeitnow——heneverwasreallymine。（Listens。）Whatisthat？ Rummel：Music。Theprocessionmustbecoming。 Bernick。Icannottakeanypartinit——Iwillnot。 Rummel：Whatareyouthinkingof!Thatisimpossible。 Sandstad：Impossible，Mr。Bernick；thinkwhatyouhaveatstake。 Bernick：Whatdoesitallmattertomenow？WhathaveItoworkfornow？ Rummel：Canyouask？Youhaveusandthecommunity。 Vigeland：Quitetrue。 Sandstad：Andsurely，Mr。Bernick，youhavenotforgottenthatwe——。（MARTHAcomesinthroughthefartherdoortotheleft。Musicisheardinthedistance，downthestreet。） Martha：Theprocessionisjustcoming，butBettyisnotinthehouse。I don’tunderstandwhereshe—— Bernick：Notinthehouse!There，yousee，Lona——nosupporttome，eitheringladnessorinsorrow。 Rummel：Drawbackthecurtains!Comeandhelpme，Mr。Krap——andyou，Mr。Sandstad。Itisathousandpitiesthatthefamilyshouldnotbeunitedjustnow；itisquitecontrarytotheprogram。（Theydrawbackallthecurtains。Thewholestreetisseentobeilluminated。Oppositethehouseisalargetransparency，bearingthewords：\"LongliveKarstenBernick，PillarofourSociety\"） Bernick（shrinkingback）：Takeallthataway!Idon’twanttoseeit! Putitout，putitout! Rummel：Excuseme，Mr。Bernick，butareyounotwell？ Martha：Whatisthematterwithhim，Lona？ Lona：Hush!（Whisperstoher。） Bernick：Takeawaythosemockingwords，Itellyou!Can’tyouseethatalltheselightsaregrinningatus？ Rummel：Well，really，Imustconfess—— Bernick：Oh，howcouldyouunderstand——!ButI，I——!Itisalllikecandlesinadead—room! Rummel：Well，letmetellyouthatyouaretakingthethingagreatdealtooseriously。 Sandstad：TheboywillenjoyatripacrosstheAtlantic，andthenyouwillhavehimback。 Vigeland：OnlyputyourtrustintheAlmighty，Mr。Bernick。 Rummel：Andinthevessel，Bernick；itisnotlikelytosink，Iknow。 Krap：Hm—— Rummel：Nowifitwereoneofthosefloatingcoffinsthatonehearsaresentoutbymeninthebiggercountries—— Bernick：Iamsuremyhairmustbeturninggrey—— （MRS。BERNICKcomesinfromthegarden，withashawlthrownoverherhead。） Mrs。Bernick：Karsten，Karsten，doyouknow——？ Bernick：Yes。Iknow；butyou——you，whoseenothingthatisgoingon——you，whohavenomother’seyesforyourson——! Mrs。Bernick：Listentome，do! Bernick：Whydidyounotlookafterhim？NowIhavelosthim。Givehimbacktome，ifyoucan。 Mrs。Bernick：Ican!Ihavegothim。 Bernick：Youhavegothim! TheMen：Ah! Hilmar：Yes，Ithoughtso。 Martha：Youhavegothimback，Karsten。 Lona：Yes——makehimyourown，now。 Bernick：Youhavegothim!Isthattrue？Whereishe？ Mrs。Bernick：Ishallnottellyou，tillyouhaveforgivenhim。 Bernick：Forgiven!Buthowdidyouknow——？ Mrs。Bernick：Doyounotthinkamothersees？Iwasinmortalfearofyourgettingtoknowanythingaboutit。Somewordsheletfallyesterday——andthenhisroomwasempty，andhisknapsackandclothesmissing…… Bernick：Yes，yes？ Mrs。Bernick：Iran，andgotholdofAune；wewentoutinhisboat； theAmericanshipwasonthepointofsailing。ThankGod，wewereintime——gotonboard——searchedthehold——foundhim!Oh，Karsten，youmustnotpunishhim! Bernick：Betty! Mrs。Bernick：NorAune，either! Bernick：Aune？Whatdoyouknowabouthim？Isthe\"IndianGirl\"undersailagain？ Mrs。Bernick：No，thatisjustit。 Bernick：Speak，speak! Mrs。Bernick：AunewasjustasagitatedasIwas；thesearchtookussometime；ithadgrowndark，andthepilotmadeobjections；andsoAunetookuponhimself——inyourname—— Bernick：Well？ Mrs。Bernick：Tostoptheship’ssailingtilltomorrow。 Krap：Hm—— Bernick：Oh，howgladIam! Mrs。Bernick：Youarenotangry？ Bernick：IcannottellyouhowgladIam，BettyRummel：Youreallytakethingsfartooseriously。 Hilmar：Ohyes，assoonasitisaquestionofalittlestrugglewiththeelements——ugh! Krap（goingtothewindow）：Theprocessionisjustcomingthroughyourgardengate，Mr。Bernick。 Bernick：Yes，theycancomenow。 Rummel：Thewholegardenisfullofpeople。 Sandstad：Thewholestreetiscrammed。 Rummel：Thewholetownisafoot，Bernick。Itreallyisamomentthatmakesoneproud。 Vigeland：Letustakeitinahumblespirit，Mr。Rummel。 Rummel：Allthebannersareout!Whataprocession!HerecomesthecommitteewithMr。Rorlundattheirhead。 Bernick：Yes，letthemcomein! Rummel：But，Bernick——inyourpresentagitatedframeofmind—— Bernick：Well，what？ Rummel：Iamquitewillingtospeakinsteadofyou，ifyoulike。 Bernick：No，thankyou；Iwillspeakformyselftonight。 Rummel：Butareyousureyouknowwhattosay？ Bernick：Yes，makeyourmindeasy，Rummel——Iknownowwhattosay。 （Themusicgrowslouder。Theverandahdoorisopened。RORLUND comesin，attheheadoftheCommittee，escortedbyacoupleofhiredwaiters，whocarryacoveredbasket。Theyarefollowedbytownspeopleofallclasses，asmanyascangetintotheroom。Anapparentlyendlesscrowdofpeople，wavingbannersandflags，arevisibleinthegardenandthestreet。） Rorlund：Mr。Bernick!Isee，fromthesurprisedepicteduponyourface，thatitisasunexpectedgueststhatweareintrudinguponyourhappyfamilycircleandyourpeacefulfireside，wherewefindyousurroundedbyhonouredandenergeticfellowcitizensandfriends。Butitisourheartsthathavebiddenuscometoofferyouourhomage——notforthefirsttime，itistrue，butforthefirsttimeonsuchacomprehensivescale。Wehaveonmanyoccasionsgivenyouourthanksforthebroadmoralfoundationuponwhichyouhave，sotospeak，rearedtheedificeofourcommunity。Onthisoccasionweofferourhomageespeciallytotheclear—sighted，indefatigable，unselfish——nay，self—sacrificingcitizenwhohastakentheinitiativeinanundertakingwhich，weareassuredonallsides，willgiveapowerfulimpetustothetemporalprosperityandwelfareofourcommunity。 Voices：Bravo，bravo! Rorlund：You，sir，haveformanyyearsbeenashiningexampleinourmidst。Thisisnottheplaceformetospeakofyourfamilylife，whichhasbeenamodeltousall；stilllesstoenlargeuponyourunblemishedpersonalcharacter。Suchtopicsbelongtothestillnessofaman’sownchamber，nottoafestaloccasionsuchasthis!Iamheretospeakofyourpubliclifeasacitizen，asitliesopentoallmen’seyes。 Well—equippedvesselssailawayfromyourshipyardandcarryourflagfarandwideovertheseas。Anumerousandhappybandofworkmenlookuptoyouastoafather。Bycallingnewbranchesofindustryintoexistence，youhavelaidthefoundationsofthewelfareofhundredsoffamilies。 Inaword——youare，inthefullestsenseoftheterm，themainstayofourcommunity。 Voices：Hear，hear!Bravo! Rorlund：And，sir，itisjustthatdisinterestedness，whichcoloursallyourconduct，thatissobeneficialtoourcommunity——moresothanwordscanexpress——andespeciallyatthepresentmoment。YouarenowonthepointofprocuringforuswhatIhavenohesitationincallingbluntlybyitsprosaicname——arailway! Voices：Bravo，bravo! Rorlund：Butitwouldseemasthoughtheundertakingwerebesetbycertaindifficulties，theoutcomeofnarrowandselfishconsiderations。 Voices：Hear，hear! Rorlund：Forthefacthascometolightthatcertainindividuals，whodonotbelongtoourcommunity，havestolenamarchuponthehard— workingcitizensofthisplace，andhavelaidhandsoncertainsourcesofprofitwhichbyrightsshouldhavefallentotheshareofourtown。 Voices：That’sright!Hear，hear! Rorlund：Thisregrettablefacthasnaturallycometoyourknowledgealso，Mr。Bernick。Butithasnothadtheslightesteffectindeterringyoufromproceedingsteadilywithyourproject，wellknowingthatapatrioticmanshouldnotsolelytakelocalinterestsintoconsideration。 Voices：Oh!——No，no!——Yes，yes! Rorlund：Itistosuchaman——tothepatriotcitizen，whosecharacterweallshouldemulate——thatwebringourhomagethisevening。Mayyourundertakinggrowtobearealandlastingsourceofgoodfortunetothiscommunity!Itistrueenoughthatarailwaymaybethemeansofourexposingourselvestotheincursionofperniciousinfluencesfromwithout；butitgivesusalsothemeansofquicklyexpellingthemfromwithin。Forevenwe，atthepresenttime，cannotboastofbeingentirelyfreefromthedangerofsuchoutsideinfluences；butaswehave，onthisveryevening——ifrumouristobebelieved——fortunatelygotridofcertainelementsofthatnature，soonerthanwastobeexpected—— Voices：Order，order! Rorlund：——Iregardtheoccurrenceasahappyomenforourundertaking。 Myalludingtosuchathingatsuchamomentonlyemphasisesthefactthatthehouseinwhichwearenowstandingisonewheretheclaimsofmoralityareesteemedevenabovetiesoffamily。 Voices：Hear，hear!Bravo! Bernick（atthesamemoment）：Allowme—— Rorlund：Ihaveonlyafewmorewordstosay，Mr。Bernick。Whatyouhavedoneforyournativeplaceweallknowhasnotbeendonewithanyunderlyingideaofitsbringingtangibleprofittoyourself。But，nevertheless，youmustnotrefusetoacceptaslighttokenofgratefulappreciationatthehandsofyourfellow—citizens——leastofallatthisimportantmomentwhen，accordingtotheassurancesofpracticalmen，wearestandingonthethresholdofanewera。 Voices：Bravo!Hear，hear! （RORLUNDaignstotheservants，whobringforwardthebasket。Duringthefollowingspeech，membersoftheCommitteetakeoutandpresentthevariousobjectsmentioned。） Rorlund：Andso，Mr。Bernick，wehavethepleasureofpresentingyouwiththissilvercoffee—service。Letitgraceyourboardwheninthefuture，assoofteninthepast，wehavethehappinessofbeingassembledunderyourhospitableroof。 You，too，gentlemen，whohavesogenerouslysecondedtheleaderofourcommunity，weasktoacceptasmallsouvenir。 Thissilvergobletisforyou，Mr。Rummel。Manyatimehaveyou，amidsttheclinkofglasses，defendedtheinterestsofyourfellow—citizensinwell—chosenwords；mayyouoftenfindsimilarworthyopportunitiestoraiseandemptythisgobletinsomepatriotictoast! Toyou，Mr。Sandstad，Ipresentthisalbumcontainingphotographsofyourfellow—citizens。Yourwell—knownandconspicuousliberalityhasputyouinthepleasantpositionofbeingabletonumberyourfriendsamongstallclassesofsociety。 Andtoyou，Mr。Vigeland，IhavetoofferthisbookofFamilyDevotions，printedonvellumandhandsomelybound，tograceyourstudytable。Themellowinginfluenceoftimehasledyoutotakeanearnestviewoflife；yourzealincarryingoutyourdailydutieshas，foralongperiodofyears，beenpurifiedandenobledbythoughtsofhigherandholierthings。（Turnstothecrowd。）Andnow，friends，threecheersforMr。Bernickandhisfellow—workers!ThreecheersforthePillarsofourSociety! Thewholecrowd：Bernick!PillarsofSociety!Hurrah—hurrah—hurrah! Lona：Icongratulateyou，brother—in—law。 （Anexpectanthushfollows。） Bernick（speakingseriouslyandslowly）：Fellowcitizens——yourspokesmansaidjustnowthattonightwearestandingonthethresholdofanewera。Ihopethatwillprovetobethecase。Butbeforethatcancometopass，wemustlayfastholdoftruth——truthwhich，tilltonight，hasbeenaltogetherandinallcircumstancesastrangertothiscommunityofours。（Astonishmentamongtheaudience。）Tothatend，Imustbeginbydeprecatingthepraiseswithwhichyou，Mr。Rorlund，accordingtocustomonsuchoccasions，haveoverwhelmedme。Idonotdeservethem；because，untiltoday，myactionshavebynomeansbeendisinterested。EventhoughImaynotalwayshaveaimedatpecuniaryprofit，Iatalleventsrecognisenowthatacravingforpower，influenceandpositionhasbeenthemovingspiritofmostofmyactions。 Rummel（halfaloud）：Whatnext! Bernick：Standingbeforemyfellowcitizens，Idonotreproachmyselfforthat；becauseIstillthinkIamentitledtoaplaceinthefrontrankofourcapablemenofaffairs。 Voices：Yes，yes，yes! Bernick：ButwhatIchargemyselfwithisthatIhavesooftenbeenweakenoughtoresorttodeceitfulness，becauseIknewandfearedthetendencyofthecommunitytoespyuncleanmotivesbehindeverythingaprominentmanhereundertakes。AndnowIamcomingtoapointwhichwillillustratethat。 Rummel（uneasily）：Hm—hm! Bernick：Therehavebeenrumoursofextensivepurchasesofpropertyoutsidethetown。Thesepurchaseshavebeenmadebyme——bymealone，andbynooneelse。（Murmursareheard：\"Whatdoeshesay？——He？—— Bernick？\"）Thepropertiesare，forthetimebeing，inmyhands。 NaturallyIhaveconfidedinmyfellow—workers，Mr。Rummel，Mr。 VigelandandMr。Sandstad，andweareallagreedthat—— Rummel：Itisnottrue!Proveit——proveit! Vigeland：Wearenotallagreedaboutanything! Sandstad：Well，reallyImustsay——! Bernick：Thatisquitetrue——wearenotyetagreeduponthematterI wasgoingtomention。ButIconfidentlyhopethatthesethreegentlemenwillagreewithmewhenIannouncetoyouthatIhavetonightcometothedecisionthatthesepropertiesshallbeexploitedasacompanyofwhichthesharesshallbeofferedforpublicsubscription；anyonethatwishescantakeshares。 Voices：Hurrah!ThreecheersforBernick! Rummel（inalowvoice，toBERNICK）：Thisisthebasesttreachery——! Sandstad（alsoinanundertone）：Soyouhavebeenfoolingus! Vigeland：Well，then，deviltake——!GoodLord，whatamIsaying？ （Cheersareheardwithout。） Bernick：Silence，gentlemen。Ihavenorighttothishomageyouofferme；becausethedecisionIhavejustcometodoesnotrepresentwhatwasmyfirstintention。Myintentionwastokeepthewholethingformyself；and，evennow，Iamofopinionthatthesepropertieswouldbeworkedtobestadvantageiftheyremainedinoneman’shands。Butyouareatlibertytochoose。Ifyouwishit，Iamwillingtoadministerthemtothebestofmyabilities。 Voices：Yes，yes，yes! Bernick：But，firstofall，myfellowtownsmenmustknowmethoroughly。 Andleteachmanseektoknowhimselfthoroughly，too；andsoletitreallycometopassthattonightwebeginanewera。Theoldera——withitsaffectation，itshypocrisyanditsemptiness，itspretenceofvirtueanditsmiserablefearofpublicopinion——shallbeforuslikeamuseum，openforpurposesofinstruction；andtothatmuseumwewillpresent——shallwenot，gentlemen？——thecoffeeservice，andthegoblet，andthealbum，andtheFamilyDevotionsprintedonvellum，andhandsomelybound。 Rummel：Oh，ofcourse。 Vigeland（muttering）：Ifyouhavetakeneverythingelse，then—— Sandstad：Byallmeans。 Bernick：AndnowfortheprincipalreckoningIhavetomakewiththecommunity。Mr。Rorlundsaidthatcertainperniciouselementshadleftusthisevening。Icanaddwhatyoudonotyetknow。Themanreferredtodidnotgoawayalone；withhim，tobecomehiswife，went—— Lona（loudly）：DinaDorf! Rorlund：What？ Mrs。Bernick：What？（Greatcommotion。） Rorlund：Fled？Runaway——withhim!Impossible! Bernick：Tobecomehiswife，Mr。Rorlund。AndIwilladdmore。（Inalowvoice，tohiswife。）Betty，bestrongtobearwhatiscoming。 （Aloud。）ThisiswhatIhavetosay：hatsofftothatman，forhehasnoblytakenanother’sguiltuponhisshoulders。Myfriends，Iwanttohavedonewithfalsehood；ithasverynearlypoisonedeveryfibreofmybeing。Youshallknowall。Fifteenyearsago，Iwastheguiltyman。 Mrs。Bernick（softlyandtremblingly）：Karsten! Martha（similarly）：Ah，Johan——! Lona：Nowatlastyouhavefoundyourself! （Speechlessconsternationamongtheaudience。） Bernick：Yes，friends，Iwastheguiltyone，andhewentaway。Thevileandlyingrumoursthatwerespreadabroadafterwards，itisbeyondhumanpowertorefutenow；butIhavenorighttocomplainofthat。ForfifteenyearsIhaveclimbeduptheladderofsuccessbythehelpofthoserumours；whethernowtheyaretocastmedownagain，ornot，eachofyoumustdecideinhisownmind。 Rorlund：Whatathunderbolt!Ourleadingcitizen——!（Inalowvoice，toBETTY。）HowsorryIamforyou，Mrs。Bernick! Hilmar：Whataconfession!Well，Imustsay——! Bernick：Butcometonodecisiontonight。Ientreateveryonetogohome——tocollecthisthoughts——tolookintohisownheart。Whenoncemoreyoucanthinkcalmly，thenitwillbeseenwhetherIhavelostorwonbyspeakingout。Goodbye!Ihavestillmuch——verymuch——torepentof；butthatconcernsmyownconscienceonly。Goodnight!Takeawayallthesesignsofrejoicing。Wemustallfeelthattheyareoutofplacehere。 Rorlund：Thattheycertainlyare。（InanundertonetoMRS。BERNICK。） Runaway!Sothenshewascompletelyunworthyofme。（Louder，totheCommittee。）Yes，gentlemen，afterthisIthinkwehadbetterdisperseasquietlyaspossible。 Hilmar：How，afterthis，anyoneistomanagetoholdtheIdeal’sbannerhigh——Ugh! （Meantimethenewshasbeenwhisperedfrommouthtomouth。Thecrowdgraduallydispersesfromthegarden。RUMMEL，SANDSTADandVIGELANDgoout，arguingeagerlybutinalowvoice。HILMARslinksawaytotheright。Whensilenceisrestored，thereonlyremainintheroomBERNICK，MRS。BERNICK，MARTHA，LONAandKRAP。） Bernick：Betty，canyouforgiveme？ Mrs。Bernick（lookingathimwithasmile）：Doyouknow，Karsten，thatyouhaveopenedoutformethehappiestprospectIhavehadformanyayear？ Bernick：How？ Mrs。Bernick：Formanyyears，IhavefeltthatonceyouweremineandthatIhadlostyou。NowIknowthatyouneverhavebeenmineyet；butIshallwinyou。 Bernick（foldingherinhisarms）：Oh，Betty，youhavewonme。ItwasthroughLonathatIfirstlearnedreallytoknowyou。ButnowletOlafcometome。 Mrs。Bernick：Yes，youshallhavehimnow。Mr。Krap——!（TalkssoftlytoKRAPinthebackground。Hegoesoutbythegardendoor。Duringwhatfollows，theilluminationsandlightsinthehousesaregraduallyextinguished。） Bernick（inalowvoice）：Thankyou，Lona——youhavesavedwhatwasbestinme——andforme。 Lona：DoyousupposeIwantedtodoanythingelse？ Bernick：Yes，wasthatso——ornot？Icannotquitemakeyouout。 Lona：Hm—— Bernick：Thenitwasnothatred？Notrevenge？Whydidyoucomeback，then？ Lona：Oldfriendshipdoesnotrust。 Bernick：Lona! Lona：WhenJohantoldmeaboutthelie，Isworetomyselfthattheheroofmyyouthshouldstandfreeandtrue。 Bernick：WhatawretchIam!——andhowlittleIhavedeserveditofyou! Lona。Oh，ifwewomenalwayslookedforwhatwedeserve，Karsten——! （AUNEcomesinwithOLAFfromthegarden。） Bernick（goingtomeetthem）：Olaf! Olaf：Father，IpromiseIwillneverdoitagain—— Bernick：Neverrunaway？ Olaf：Yes，yes，Ipromiseyou，father。 Bernick：AndIpromiseyou，youshallneverhavereasonto。Forthefutureyoushallbeallowedtogrowup，notastheheirtomylife’swork，butasonewhohashisownlife’sworkbeforehim。 Olaf：AndshallIbeallowedtobewhatIlike，whenIgrowup？ Bernick：Yes。 Olaf。Oh，thankyou!ThenIwon’tbeapillarofsociety。 Bernick：No？Whynot？ Olaf：No——Ithinkitmustbesodull。 Bernick：Youshallbeyourself，Olaf；therestmaytakecareofitself——Andyou，Aune…… Aune：Iknow，Mr。Bernick；Iamdismissed。 Bernick：Weremaintogether，Aune；andforgiveme。 Aune：What？Theshiphasnotsailedtonight。 Bernick：Norwillitsailtomorrow，either。Igaveyoutooshortgrace。 Itmustbelookedtomorethoroughly。 Aune：Itshall，Mr。Bernick——andwiththenewmachines! Bernick：Byallmeans——butthoroughlyandconscientiously。Therearemanyamonguswhoneedthoroughandconscientiousrepairs，Aune。Well，goodnight。 Aune：Good—night，sir——andthankyou，thankyou。（Goesout。） Mrs。Bernick：Nowtheyareallgone。 Bernick：Andwearealone。Mynameisnotshininginlettersoffireanylonger；allthelightsinthewindowsareout。 Lona：Wouldyouwishthemlitagain？ Bernick：Notforanythingintheworld。WherehaveIbeen!Youwouldbehorrifiedifyouknew。IfeelnowasifIhadcomebacktomyrightsenses，afterbeingpoisoned。ButIfeelthisthatIcanbeyoungandhealthyagain。Oh，comenearer——comecloserroundme。Come，Betty! Come，Olaf，myboy!Andyou，Martha——itseemstomeasifIhadneverseenyoualltheseyears。 Lona：No，Icanbelievethat。Yourcommunityisacommunityofbachelorsouls；youdonotseewomen。 Bernick：Thatisquitetrue；andforthatveryreason——thisisabargain，Lona——youmustnotleaveBettyandme。 Mrs。Bernick：No，Lona，youmustnot。 Lona：No，howcouldIhavethehearttogoawayandleaveyouyoungpeoplewhoarejustsettinguphousekeeping？AmInotyourfoster—mother？YouandI，Martha，thetwooldaunts——Whatareyoulookingat？ Martha：Lookhowtheskyisclearing，andhowlightitisoverthesea。 The\"PalmTree\"isgoingtobelucky。 Lona：Itcarriesitsgoodluckonboard。 Bernick：Andwe——wehavealongearnestdayofworkaheadofus；Imostofall。Butletitcome；onlykeepcloseroundmeyoutrue，loyalwomen。Ihavelearnedthistoo，intheselastfewdays；itisyouwomenthatarethepillarsofsociety。 Lona：Youhavelearnedapoorsortofwisdom，then，brother—in—law。 （Laysherhandfirmlyuponhisshoulder。）No，myfriend；thespiritoftruthandthespiritoffreedom——theyarethepillarsofsociety。