Chapter 12

Stensgård.

Oh, now I understand Fieldbo’s advice! He’s a true friend, after all.

Lundestad.

What did Doctor Fieldbo say?

Stensgård.

He was too loyal to say anything, but I understand him all the same. And now I understand you too, Mr. Lundestad.

Lundestad.

Have you not understood me before?

Stensgård.

Not thoroughly. I forgot the proverb about the rats and the sinking ship.

Lundestad.

That’s not a very nice way to put it. But what’s the matter with you? You look quite ill. Good God, I haven’t gone and blasted your hopes, have I?

Stensgård.

How do you mean?

Lundestad.

Yes, yes—I see it all. Old fool that I am! My dear Mr. Stensgård, if you really love the girl, what does it matter whether she is rich or poor?

Stensgård.

Matter? No, of course——

Lundestad.

Good Lord, we all know happiness isn’t a matter of money.

Stensgård.

Of course not.

Lundestad.

And with industry and determination you’ll soon be on your feet again. Don’t let poverty frighten you. I know what love is; I went into all that in my young days. A happy home; a faithful woman——! My dear young friend, beware how you take any step that may involve you in life-long self-reproach.

Stensgård.

But what will become of your plans?

Lundestad.

Oh, they must go as best they can. I couldn’t think of demanding the sacrifice of your heart!

Stensgård.

But I will make the sacrifice. Yes, I will show you that I have the strength for it. Think of the longing multitude out there: they claim me with a sort of voiceless pathos. I cannot, I dare not, fail them!

Lundestad.

Yes, but the stake in the district——?

Stensgård.

I shall take measures to fulfil the demands of my fellow citizens in that respect, Mr. Lundestad. I see a way, a new way; and I will follow it up. I renounce the happiness of toiling in obscurity for the woman I love. I say to my fellow countrymen: “Here I am—take me!”

Lundestad.

[Looks at him in quiet admiration and presses his hand.] You are indeed a man of rare gifts, Mr. Stensgård.

[Goes out to the right.

[Stensgårdpaces the room several times, now stopping for a moment at the window, now running his fingers through his hair. PresentlyBastian Monsenenters from the back.

Bastian.

Here I am, my dear friend.[20]

Stensgård.

Where have you come from?

Bastian.

From the Nation.

Stensgård.

The Nation? What does that mean?

Bastian.

Don’t you know what the Nation means? It means the People; the common people; those who have nothing, and are nothing; those who lie chained——

Stensgård.

What monkey-tricks are these, I should like to know?

Bastian.

Monkey-tricks?

Stensgård.

I have noticed lately that you go about mimicking me; you imitate even my clothes and my handwriting. Be kind enough to stop that.

Bastian.

What do you mean? Don’t we belong to the same party?

Stensgård.

Yes, but I won’t put up with this—you make yourself ridiculous——

Bastian.

By being like you?

Stensgård.

By aping me. Be sensible now, Monsen, and give it up. It’s quite disgusting. But look here—can you tell me when your father is coming back?

Bastian.

I have no idea. I believe he’s gone to Christiania; he may not be back for a week or so.

Stensgård.

Indeed? I’m sorry for that. He has a big stroke of business on hand, I hear.

Bastian.

I have a big stroke of business on hand too. Look here, Stensgård, you must do me a service.

Stensgård.

Willingly. What is it?

Bastian.

I feel so full of energy. I have to thank you for that; you have stimulated me. I feel I must do something, Stensgård:—I want to get married.

Stensgård.

To get married? To whom?

Bastian.

Sh! Some one in this house.

Stensgård.

Madam Rundholmen?

Bastian.

Sh! Yes, it’s her. Put in a good word for me, do! This sort of thing is just the thing for me. She’s in the swim, you know; she’s on the best of terms with the Chamberlain’s people, ever since her sister was housekeeper there. If I get her, perhaps I shall get the town-contracts too. So that on the whole—damn it, I love her!

Stensgård.

Oh, love, love! Have done with that sickening hypocrisy.

Bastian.

Hypocrisy!

Stensgård.

Yes; you are lying to yourself, at any rate. You talk in one breath of town-contracts and of love. Why not call a spade a spade? There’s something sordid about all this; I will have nothing to do with it.

Bastian.

But listen——!

Stensgård.

Do your dirty work yourself, I say! [ToFieldbo,who enters from the right.] Well, how goes the election?

Fieldbo.

Excellently for you, it appears. I saw Lundestad just now; he said you were getting all the votes.

Stensgård.

Am I indeed?

Fieldbo.

But what good will they do you? Since you’re not a man of property——

Stensgård.

[Between his teeth.] Isn’t it confounded!

Fieldbo.

Well, you can’t do two things at once. If you win on the one side, you must be content to lose on the other. Good-bye!

[Goes out by the back.

Bastian.

What did he mean by winning and losing?

Stensgård.

I’ll tell you afterwards. But now, my dear Monsen—to return to what we were talking about—I promised to put in a good word for you——

Bastian.

You promised? On the contrary, I thought you said——?

Stensgård.

Oh, nonsense; you didn’t let me explain myself fully. What I meant was that there is something sordid in mixing up your love with town-contracts and so forth; it is an offence against all that is noblest in your nature. So, my dear friend, if you really love the girl——

Bastian.

The widow——

Stensgård.

Yes, yes; it’s all the same. I mean when one really loves a woman, that in itself should be a conclusive reason——

Bastian.

Yes, that’s just what I think. So you’ll speak for me, will you?

Stensgård.

Yes, with great pleasure—but on one condition.

Bastian.

What’s that?

Stensgård.

Tit for tat, my dear Bastian—you must put in a word for me too.

Bastian.

I? With whom?

Stensgård.

Have you really not noticed anything? Yet it’s before your very nose.

Bastian.

You surely don’t mean——?

Stensgård.

Your sister Ragna? Yes, it is she. Oh, you don’t know how I have been moved by the sight of her quiet, self-sacrificing devotion to her home——

Bastian.

Do you really mean to say so?

Stensgård.

And you, with your penetrating eye, have suspected nothing?

Bastian.

Yes, at one time I did think——; but now people are talking of your hanging about the Chamberlain’s——

Stensgård.

Oh, the Chamberlain’s! Well, Monsen, I’ll tell you frankly that for a moment I did hesitate; but, thank goodness, that is over; now I see my way quite clear before me.

Bastian.

There’s my hand. I’ll back you up, you may be sure. And as for Ragna—why, she daren’t do anything but what I and father wish.

Stensgård.

Yes, but your father—that’s just what I wanted to say——

Bastian.

Sh! There—I hear Madam Rundholmen. Now’s your chance to speak for me, if she’s not too busy; for then she’s apt to be snappish. You do your best, my dear fellow, and leave the rest to me. Do you happen to have seen Aslaksen?

Stensgård.

He’s probably at the polling-booth.

[Bastiangoes out by the back, asMadam Rundholmenenters from the right.

Madam Rundholmen.

Things are going as smooth as possible, Mr. Stensgård; every one is voting for you.

Stensgård.

That’s very odd.

Madam Rundholmen.

Goodness knows what Monsen of Stonelee will say.

Stensgård.

I want a word with you, Madam Rundholmen.

Madam Rundholmen.

Well, what is it?

Stensgård.

Will you listen to me?

Madam Rundholmen.

Lord yes, that I will.

Stensgård.

Well then: you were talking just now about being alone in the world——

Madam Rundholmen.

Oh, it was that horrid old Heire——

Stensgård.

You were saying how hard it is for an unprotected widow——

Madam Rundholmen.

Yes, indeed; you should just try it, Mr. Stensgård!

Stensgård.

But now if there came a fine young man——

Madam Rundholmen.

A fine young man?

Stensgård.

One who had long loved you in secret——

Madam Rundholmen.

Oh, come now, Mr. Stensgård, I won’t hear any more of your nonsense.

Stensgård.

You must! A young man who, like yourself, finds it hard to be alone in the world——

Madam Rundholmen.

Well, what then? I don’t understand you at all.

Stensgård.

If you could make two people happy, Madam Rundholmen—yourself and——

Madam Rundholmen.

And a fine young man?

Stensgård.

Just so; now, answer me——

Madam Rundholmen.

Mr. Stensgård, you can’t be in earnest?

Stensgård.

You don’t suppose I would jest on such a subject? Should you be disposed——?

Madam Rundholmen.

Yes, that I am, the Lord knows! Oh, you dear, sweet——

Stensgård.

[Recoiling a step.] What is this?

Madam Rundholmen.

Bother, here comes some one!

Ragna Monsenenters hastily, and in evident disquietude, from the back.

Ragna.

I beg your pardon—isn’t my father here?

Madam Rundholmen.

Your father? Yes; no;—I—I don’t know—excuse me——

Ragna.

Where is he?

Madam Rundholmen.

Your father? Oh, he drove past here——

Stensgård.

Towards Christiania.

Ragna.

No; it’s impossible——

Madam Rundholmen.

Yes, I know for certain he drove down the road. Oh, my dear Miss Monsen, you can’t think how happy I am! Wait a moment—I’ll just run to the cellar, and fetch up a bottle of the real thing.

[Goes out to the left.

Stensgård.

Tell me, Miss Monsen—is it really your father you are looking for?

Ragna.

Yes, of course it is.

Stensgård.

And you didn’t know that he had gone away?

Ragna.

Oh, how should I know? They tell me nothing. But to Christiania——? That’s impossible; they would have met him. Good-bye!

Stensgård.

[Intercepts her.] Ragna! Tell me! Why are you so changed towards me?

Ragna.

I? Let me pass! Let me go!

Stensgård.

No, you shall not go! I believe Providence guided you here at this moment. Oh, why do you shrink from me? You used not to.

Ragna.

Ah, that is all over, thank God!

Stensgård.

But why?

Ragna.

I have learnt to know you better; it is well that I learned in time.

Stensgård.

Oh, that is it? People have been lying about me? Perhaps I am to blame too; I have been lost in a maze of perplexities. But that is past now. Oh, the very sight of you makes a better man of me. It is you I care for, deeply and truly; it is you I love, Ragna—you and no other!

Ragna.

Let me pass! I am afraid of you——

Stensgård.

Oh, but to-morrow, Ragna—may I come and speak to you to-morrow?

Ragna.

Yes, yes, if you must; only for heaven’s sake not to-day.

Stensgård.

Only not to-day! Hurrah! I have won; now I am happy!

Madam Rundholmen.

[Enters from the left with cake and wine.] Come now, we must drink a glass for luck.

Stensgård.

For luck in love! Here’s to love and happiness! Hurrah for to-morrow!

[He drinks.

Helle.

[Entering from the right, toRagna.] Have you found him?

Ragna.

No, he is not here. Come, come!

Madam Rundholmen.

Heaven help us, what’s the matter?

Helle.

Nothing; only some visitors have arrived at Stonelee——

Ragna.

Thanks for all your kindness, Madam Rundholmen——

Madam Rundholmen.

Oh, have you got visitors on your hands again?

Ragna.

Yes, yes; excuse me; I must go home. Good-bye!

Stensgård.

Good-bye—till to-morrow!

[RagnaandHellego out by the back.

Daniel Heireenters from the right.

Heire.

Ha-ha! It’s going like a house on fire! They’re all cackling Stensgård, Stensgård, Stensgård! They’re all plumping for you. Now you should plump for him too, Madam Rundholmen!

Madam Rundholmen.

Hey, that’s an idea! Are they all voting for him?

Heire.

Unanimously—Mr. Stensgård enjoys the confidence of the constituency, as the saying is. Old Lundestad is going about with a face like a pickled cucumber. Oh, it’s a pleasure to see it all.

Madam Rundholmen.

They shan’t regret having voted for him. If I can’t vote, I can stand treat.

[Goes out to the left.

Heire.

Ah, you are the man for the widows, Mr. Stensgård! I’ll tell you what—if you can only get hold of her, you’re a made man, sir!

Stensgård.

Get hold of Madam Rundholmen?

Heire.

Yes, why not? She’s a substantial woman in every sense of the word. She’ll be mistress of the situation as soon as the Stonelee card-castle has come to grief.

Stensgård.

There’s nothing wrong at Stonelee, is there?

Heire.

Isn’t there? You have a short memory, my dear sir. Didn’t I tell you there were rumours of failure, and bankruptcy, and——?

Stensgård.

Well, what then?

Heire.

What then? That’s just what we want to know. There’s a hue and cry after Monsen; two men have come to Stonelee——

Stensgård.

Yes, I know—a couple of visitors——

Heire.

Uninvited visitors, my dear young friend; there are whispers of the police and infuriated creditors—there’s something queer about the accounts, you must know! Talking of that—what paper was that Monsen gave you yesterday?

Stensgård.

Oh, just a paper——Something queer about the accounts, you say? Look here! you know Chamberlain Bratsberg’s signature?

Heire.

Hee-hee! I should rather think I did.

Stensgård.

[Produces the bill.] Well, look at this.

Heire.

Give it here—I’m rather short-sighted, you know. [After examining it.] That, my dear sir? That’s not the Chamberlain’s hand.

Stensgård.

Not? Then it is——?

Heire.

And it’s drawn by Monsen?

Stensgård.

No, by young Mr. Bratsberg.

Heire.

Nonsense! Let me see. [Looks at the paper and hands it back again.] You can light your cigar with this.

Stensgård.

What! The drawer’s name too——?

Heire.

A forgery, young man; a forgery, as sure as my name’s Daniel. You have only to look at it with the keen eye of suspicion——

Stensgård.

But how can that be? Monsen can’t have known——

Heire.

Monsen? No, he knows nothing about either his own paper or other people’s. But I’m glad it has come to an end, Mr. Stensgård!—It’s a satisfaction to one’s moral sense. Ah, I have often glowed with a noble indignation, if I may say so, athaving to stand by and see——I say no more! But the best of it all is that now Monsen is down he’ll drag young Bratsberg after him; and the son will bring the father down——

Stensgård.

Yes, so Lundestad said.

Heire.

But of course there’s method even in bankruptcy. You’ll see; I am an old hand atprophecy.prophecy.Monsen will go to prison; young Bratsberg will compound with his creditors; and the Chamberlain will be placed under trustees; that’s to say, his creditors will present him with an annuity of a couple of thousand dollars. That’s how things go, Mr. Stensgård; I know it, I know it! What says the classic?Fiat justitia, pereat mundus; which means: Fie on what’s called justice in this wicked world, sir!

Stensgård.

[Pacing the room.] One after the other! Both ways barred!

Heire.

What the deuce——?

Stensgård.

And now too! Just at this moment!

Aslaksen.

[Enters from the right.] I congratulate you, chosen of the people!

Stensgård.

Elected!

Aslaksen.

Elected by 117 votes, and Lundestad by 53. The rest all nowhere.

Heire.

Your first step on the path of glory, Mr. Stensgård.

Aslaksen.

And it shall cost you a bowl of punch——

Heire.

Well, it’s the first step that costs, they say.

Aslaksen.

[Goes off to the left, shouting.] Punch, Madam Rundholmen! A bowl of punch! The chosen of the people stands treat!

Lundestad,and after him severalElectors,enter from the right.

Heire.

[In a tone of condolence toLundestad.] Fifty-three! That’s the grey-haired patriot’s reward!

Lundestad.

[Whispers toStensgård.] Are you firm in your resolve?

Stensgård.

What’s the use of being firm when everything is tumbling about your ears?

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