Chapter 18

Mrs. Holt.

Right from the attic window!

Mrs Lynge.

And it was Mrs. Bernick’s brother?

Mrs. Rummel.

Of course it was.

Mrs. Lynge.

And that waswhyhe ran away to America?

Mrs. Holt.

He had to make himself scarce, I can assure you.

Mrs. Rummel.

For afterwards something else was found out, almost as bad. Only think, he had been making free with the cash-box——

Mrs. Holt.

But, after all, no one knows exactly aboutthat,that,Mrs. Rummel; it may have been mere gossip.

Mrs. Rummel.

Well, I really must say——! Wasn’t it known over the whole town? For that matter, wasn’t old Mrs. Bernick on the point of going bankrupt? Rummel himself has told me that. But heaven forbidIshould say anything!

Mrs. Holt.

Well, the money didn’t go to Madam Dorf, at any rate, for she——

Mrs. Lynge.

Yes, what became of Dina’s parents?

Mrs. Rummel.

Oh, Dorf deserted both wife and child. But Madam was impudent enough to remain here a whole year. She didn’t dare to show herself in the theatre again; but she made a living by washing and sewing——

Mrs. Holt.

And she tried to set up a dancing-school.

Mrs. Rummel.

Of course it was a failure. What parents could trust their children with such a person? But she could not hold out long; the fine Madam wasn’t accustomed to work, you see; some chest trouble set in, and carried her off.

Mrs. Lynge.

What a wretched story!

Mrs. Rummel.

Yes, you may believe it has been a terrible thing for the Bernicks. It is the dark spot on the sun of their happiness, as Rummel once expressed it. So you must never talk of these things inthishouse again, Mrs. Lynge.

Mrs. Holt.

And, for heaven’s sake, don’t mention the step-sister either.

Mrs. Lynge.

Yes, by-the-bye, Mrs. Bernick has a step-sister too?

Mrs. Rummel.

Used to have—fortunately; for now they don’t recognise the relationship. Yes, she was a strange being! Would you believe it, she cut her hair short, and went about in rainy weather with men’s shoes on!

Mrs. Holt.

And when her step-brother—the ne’er-do-well—had run away, and the whole town was of course crying out against him—what do you think she did? Why, she followed him.

Mrs. Rummel.

Yes, but think of the scandal before she left, Mrs. Holt!

Mrs. Holt.

Hush—don’t talk about it.

Mrs. Lynge.

What, was there a scandal about her too?

Mrs. Rummel.

Yes, I’ll tell you all about it, Mrs. Lynge. Bernick had just proposed to Betty Tönnesen; and as he was coming, with her on his arm, into her aunt’s room to announce the engagement to her——

Mrs. Holt.

The Tönnesens were orphans, you understand.

Mrs. Rummel.

——Lona Hessel rose from her chair, and gave the handsome, aristocratic Karsten Bernick a ringing box on the ear!

Mrs. Lynge.

Well, I never——!

Mrs. Holt.

Yes, every one knows it.

Mrs. Rummel.

And then she packed up her traps and went off to America.

Mrs. Lynge.

She must have had designs upon him herself.

Mrs. Rummel.

Yes, that was just it. She imagined he was going to propose to her as soon as he came home from Paris.

Mrs. Holt.

Just fancy her dreaming of such a thing! Bernick—a polished young man-of-the-world—a perfect gentleman—the darling of all the ladies——

Mrs. Rummel.

——and so high-principled, too, Mrs. Holt—so moral.

Mrs. Lynge.

Then what has become of this Miss Hessel in America?

Mrs. Rummel.

Well—over that, as Rummel once expressed it, there rests a veil which should scarcely be lifted.

Mrs. Lynge.

What does that mean?

Mrs. Rummel.

Of course the family hears nothing from her now; but every one in town knows that she has sung for money in taverns over there——

Mrs. Holt.

——and has given lectures——

Mrs. Rummel.

——and has published an utterly crazy book.

Mrs. Lynge.

Is it possible——?

Mrs. Rummel.

Yes, Lona Hessel, too, is certainly a sun-spot in the Bernicks’ happiness. But now you know the whole story, Mrs. Lynge. Heaven knows, I have only told it to put you on your guard as to what you say.

Mrs. Lynge.

You may be quite easy on that point. But poor Dina Dorf! I really feel very sorry for her.

Mrs. Rummel.

Oh, for her it was an absolute stroke of luck. Only think, if she had remained in her parents’ hands! Of course we all took an interest in her, and tried to instil good principles into her mind. At last Miss Bernick arranged that she should come and live here.

Mrs. Holt.

But she has always been a difficult girl to deal with—the effect of bad example, you know. Of course she is not like one of our own children—we have to make the best of her, Mrs. Lynge.

Mrs. Rummel.

Hush, there she comes. [Loud.] Yes, as you say, Dina is really quite a clever girl——What, are you there, Dina? We are just finishing our work here.

Mrs. Holt.

Ah, how nice your coffee smells, my dear Dina. Such a cup of coffee in the forenoon——

Mrs. Bernick.

[In the verandah.] The coffee is ready, ladies.

[MarthaandDinahave meanwhile helped the servant to bring in the coffee things. All the ladies go out and sit down; they vie with each other in talking kindly toDina.After a time she comes into the room and looks for her sewing.

Mrs. Bernick.

[Out at the coffee-table.] Dina, don’t you want——?

Dina.

No, thanks; I don’t care for any.

[She sits down to sew.Mrs. BernickandRörlundexchange a few words; a moment after, he comes into the room.

Rörlund.

[Goes up to the table, as if looking for something, and says in a low voice.] Dina.

Dina.

Yes.

Rörlund.

Why will you not come out?

Dina.

When I came with the coffee I could see by the strange lady’s looks that they had been talking about me.

Rörlund.

And did you not notice, too, how kindly she spoke to you?

Dina.

But that is what I can’t bear.

Rörlund.

Yours is a rebellious nature, Dina.

Dina.

Yes.

Rörlund.

What makes it so?

Dina.

It has never been otherwise.

Rörlund.

But could you not try to change?

Dina.

No.

Rörlund.

Why not?

Dina.

[Looks up at him.] Because I belong to the “Lapsed and Lost.”

Rörlund.

Fie, Dina!

Dina.

And so did my mother before me.

Rörlund.

Who has spoken to you of such things?

Dina.

No one; they never speak. Why don’t they? They all handle me as gingerly as though I wouldfall to pieces, if——Oh, how I hate all this good-heartedness!

Rörlund.

My dear Dina, I can very well understand that you must feel oppressed here, but——

Dina.

Oh, if I could only go far away! I could get on well enough by myself, if only I lived among people that weren’t so—so——

Rörlund.

So what?

Dina.

So proper and moral.

Rörlund.

Come, Dina, you do not mean that.

Dina.

Oh, you know very wellhowI mean it. Every day Hilda and Netta come here that I may take example by them. I canneverbe as well-behaved as they are, and Iwill notbe. Oh, if only I were far away, I daresay I could be good.

Rörlund.

Youaregood, my dear Dina.

Dina.

What good does that do me, here?

Rörlund.

Then you are seriously thinking of going away?

Dina.

I would not remain here a day longer, ifyouwere not here.

Rörlund.

Tell me, Dina—what is it that really makes you like to be with me?

Dina.

You teach me so much that is beautiful.

Rörlund.

Beautiful? Do you call what I can teach you beautiful?

Dina.

Yes; or rather—you teach me nothing; but when I hear you speak, it makes me think of so much that is beautiful.

Rörlund.

What do you understand, then, by a beautiful thing?

Dina.

I have never thought of that.

Rörlund.

Then think of it now. What do you understand by a beautiful thing?

Dina.

A beautiful thing is something great—and far away.

Rörlund.

H’m.—My dear Dina—I sympathise with you from the bottom of my heart.

Dina.

Isthatall?

Rörlund.

You know very well how unspeakably dear you are to me.

Dina.

If I were Hilda or Netta you would not be afraid to let any one see it.

Rörlund.

Oh, Dina, you cannot possibly realise the thousand considerations——When a man is singled out as a moral pillar of the society he lives in, why—he cannot be too careful. If I were only sure that people would not misinterpret my motives——But no matter; you must and shall be helped to rise. Dina, shall we make a bargain that when I come—when circumstances permit me to come—and say: Here is my hand—you will take it and be my wife?—Do you promise me that, Dina?

Dina.

Yes.

Rörlund.

Thank you, thank you!—Oh, Dina, I love you so——Sh! some one is coming. Dina, for my sake—go out to the others.

[She goes out to the coffee-table. At the same momentRummel,Sandstad,andVigelandenter from the Consul’s office, followed byConsul Bernick,who has a bundle of papers in his hand.

Bernick.

Then that matter is settled.

Vigeland.

Yes, with the blessing of God, so let it be.

Rummel.

It is settled, Bernick! A Norseman’s word stands firm as the Dovrefjeld, you know!

Bernick.

And no one is to give in or fall away, whatever opposition we may meet with.

Rummel.

We stand or fall together, Bernick.

Hilmar.

[Coming up from the garden.] Excuse me, isn’t it the railway that falls?

Bernick.

On the contrary, it is to go ahead——

Rummel.

——full steam, Mr. Tönnesen.

Hilmar.

[Coming forward.] Indeed!

Rörlund.

What?

Mrs. Bernick.

[At the door.] My dear Karsten, what’s the meaning——?

Bernick.

Oh, my dear Betty, it can’t possibly interest you. [To the three men.] Now we must get the prospectus ready; the sooner the better. Of course we four put our names down first. Our position in society renders it our duty to do as much as we can.

Sandstad.

No doubt, Consul.

Rummel.

Wewillmake it go, Bernick; we are bound to.

Bernick.

Oh, yes; I have no fear as to the result. We must work hard, each in his own circle; and if we can once point to a really lively interest in the affair among all classes of society, it follows that the town, too, must contribute its share.

Mrs. Bernick.

Now, Karsten, you must really come and tell us——

Bernick.

Oh, my dear Betty, ladies don’t understand these things.

Hilmar.

Then you are actually going to back up the railway after all?

Bernick.

Yes, of course.

Rörlund.

But last year, Consul——?

Bernick.

Last year it was a different matter altogether. Then it was a coast line that was proposed——

Vigeland.

——which would have been entirely superfluous, Doctor; for have we not steamboats?

Sandstad.

——and would have been outrageously expensive——

Rummel.

——yes, and would actually have interfered with important vested interests here in the town.

Bernick.

The chief objection was that it would have conferred no benefit on the great mass of the community. Therefore I opposed it; and then the inland line was adopted.

Hilmar.

Yes, but that won’t touch the towns about here.

Bernick.

It will touchourtown, my dear Hilmar, for we are going to build a branch line.

Hilmar.

Aha; an entirely new idea, then?

Rummel.

Yes; a magnificent idea, isn’t it?

Rörlund.

H’m——

Vigeland.

It cannot be denied that Providence seems specially to have smoothed the way for a branch line.

Rörlund.

Do you really say so, Mr. Vigeland?

Bernick.

Yes, for my part, I cannot but regard it as a special guidance that sent me up country on business this spring, and led me by chance into a valley where I had never been before. It struck me like a flash of lightning that here was the very track for a branch line. I at once sent an engineer to inspect it; I have here the provisionalcalculations and estimates; nothing now stands in our way.

Mrs. Bernick.

[Still standing, along with the other ladies, at the garden door.] But, my dear Karsten, why have you kept all this so secret?

Bernick.

Oh, my good Betty, you would not have seen the situation in its true light. Besides, I have spoken of it to no living creature until to-day. But now the decisive moment has come; now we must go to work openly, and with all our might. Ay, if I have to risk all I possess in the affair, I am determined to see it through.

Rummel.

So are we, Bernick; you may rely on us.

Rörlund.

Do you really expect such great results from this undertaking, gentlemen?

Bernick.

Yes, indeed we do. What a stimulus it will give to our whole community! Think of the great tracts of forest it will bring within reach, think of all the rich mineral-seams it will allow us to work; think of the river, with its one waterfall above the other! What rare advantages for manufactures of all kinds!

Rörlund.

And you have no fear that more frequent intercourse with a depraved outer world——

Bernick.

No; make your mind easy, Doctor. Our busy little town now rests, heaven be thanked, on a sound moral foundation; we have all helped to drain it, if I may say so; and that we will continue to do, each in his own way. You, Doctor, will carry on your beneficent activity in the school and in the home. We, the practical men of business, will support society by furthering the welfare of as wide a circle as possible. And our women—yes, come nearer, ladies; I am glad that you should hear—our women, I say, our wives and daughters, will proceed unwearied in their charitable labours, and be a help and comfort to those nearest and dearest to them, as my dear Betty and Martha are to me and Olaf——[Looks around.] Why, where is Olaf to-day?

Mrs. Bernick.

Oh, in the holidays it’s impossible to keep him at home.

Bernick.

Then he’s certain to have gone down to the water again! You’ll see, this will end in a misfortune.

Hilmar.

Bah—a little sport with the forces of nature——

Mrs. Rummel.

How nice it is of you to be so domestic,Mr.Mr.Bernick.

Bernick.

Ah, the Family is the kernel of society. A good home, upright and trusty friends, a little close-drawn circle, where no disturbing elements cast their shadow——

Krapenters from the right, with letters and papers.

Krap.

The foreign mail, Consul—and a telegram from New York.

Bernick.

[Taking it.] Ah, from the owners of theIndian Girl.

Rummel.

Oh, the mail is in? Then you must excuse me——

Vigeland.

And me too.

Sandstad

Good-bye, Consul.

Bernick.

Good-bye, good-bye, gentlemen. And remember we have a meeting this afternoon at five o’clock.

The Three.

Yes—of course—all right.

[They go out to the right.

Bernick.

[Who has read the telegram.] Well, this is really too American! Positively shocking——!

Mrs. Bernick.

Why, Karsten, what is it?

Bernick.

Look here, Krap—read this!

Krap.

[Reads.] “Fewest possible repairs; despatchIndian Girlwithout delay; good season: at worst, cargo will keep her afloat.” Well, I must say——

Bernick.

The cargo keep her afloat! These gentlemen know very well that, if anything should happen, that cargo will send her to the bottom like a stone.

Rörlund.

Ay, this shows the state of things in these vaunted great nations.

Bernick.

You are right there—even human life counts for nothing when dollars are at stake. [ToKrap.] Can theIndian Girlbe ready for sea in four or five days?

Krap.

Yes, if Mr. Vigeland will agree to let thePalm Treestand over in the meantime.

Bernick.

H’m—he will scarcely agree to that. Oh, just look through the mail, please. By the way, did you see Olaf down on the pier?

Krap.

No, Consul.

[He goes into Consul’s office.

Bernick.

[Looking again at the telegram.] These gentlemen think nothing of risking the lives of eighteen men——

Hilmar.

Well, it’s a sailor’s calling to brave the elements. It must brace up your nerves to feel that you have only a thin plank between you and eternity——

Bernick.

I should like to see the shipowner amongusthat would have the conscience to do such a thing! There isn’t one, not a single one. [Catches sight ofOlaf.] Ah, thank goodness, nothing has happened to him.

[Olaf,with a fishing-line in his hand, comes running up the street and through the garden-gate.

Olaf.

[Still in the garden.] Uncle Hilmar, I’ve been down seeing the steamboat.

Bernick.

Have you been on the pier again?

Olaf.

No, I was only out in a boat. But just fancy, Uncle Hilmar, a whole circus company came ashore from the steamer, with horses and wild beasts; and there were a lot of passengers besides.

Mrs. Rummel.

Oh, are we to have a circus?

Rörlund.

We? Really I should hope not.

Mrs. Rummel.

No, of course notwe, but——

Dina.

I should like to see a circus.

Olaf.

Oh, and me too!

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