Chapter 26

Bernick.

Yes, don’t be alarmed, Rummel—now I know what I have to say.

[The music has meanwhile ceased. The garden door is thrown open.Doctor Rörlundenters at the head of the Committee, accompanied by two porters carrying a covered basket. After them come townspeople of all classes, as many as the room will hold. An immense crowd, with banners and flags, can be seen in the garden and in the street.

Rörlund.

Consul Bernick! I see from the surprise depicted in your countenance, that it is as unexpected guests that we intrude upon you in your happy family circle, at your peaceful hearth, surrounded by upright and public-spirited friends and fellow citizens. Our excuse is that we obey a heartfelt impulse in bringing you our homage. It is not, indeed, the first time we have done so, but the first time on so comprehensive a scale. We have often expressed to you our gratitude for the broad moral basis upon which you have, so to speak, built up our society. This time we chiefly hail in you the clear-sighted, indefatigable, unselfish, nay, self-sacrificing citizen, who has taken the initiative in an undertaking which, we are credibly assured, will give a powerful impetus to the temporal prosperity and wellbeing of this community.

Voices.

[Among the crowd.] Bravo, bravo!

Rörlund.

Consul Bernick, you have for many years stood before our town as a shining example. I do not here speak of your exemplary domestic life, your spotless moral record. To such virtues we pay tribute in the secret chamber of the heart; we do not proclaim them from the house-tops. I speak rather of your activity as a citizen, as it lies open to all men’s view. Well-appointed ships sail from your wharves, and fly our flag on the furthest seas. A large and prosperous body of workmen looks up to you as to a father. By calling into existence new branches of industry, you have brought comfortinto hundreds of homes. In other words—you are in an eminent sense the pillar and cornerstone of this community.

Voices.

Hear, hear! Bravo!

Rörlund.

And it is the halo of disinterestedness resting upon all your actions that is so unspeakably beneficent, especially in these times. You are now on the point of procuring for us—I do not hesitate to say the word plainly and prosaically—a railway.

Many Voices.

Bravo, bravo!

Rörlund.

But this undertaking seems destined to meet with difficulties, principally arising from narrow and selfish interests.

Voices.

Hear, hear! Hear, hear!

Rörlund.

It is no longer unknown that certain individuals, not belonging to our community, have stolen a march upon the energetic citizens of this place, and have secured certain advantages, which should by rights have fallen to the share of our own town.

Voices.

Yes, yes! Hear, hear!

Rörlund.

You are of course not unaware of this deplorable circumstance, Consul Bernick. But, nevertheless,you steadily pursue your undertaking, well knowing that a patriotic citizen must not be exclusively concerned with the interests of his own parish.

Different Voices.

H’m! No, no! Yes, yes!

Rörlund.

We have assembled, then, this evening to do homage, in your person, to the ideal citizen—the model of all the civic virtues. May your enterprise contribute to the true and lasting welfare of this community! The railway is, no doubt, an institution by means of which elements of evil may be imported from without, but it is also an institution that enables us to get quickly rid of them. From elements of evil from without we cannot even now keep ourselves quite free. But if, as I hear, we have, just on this auspicious evening, been unexpectedly relieved of certain elements of this nature——

Voices.

Sh, sh!

Rörlund.

——I accept the fact as a good omen for the undertaking. If I touch upon this pointhere, it is because we know ourselves to be in a house where family ties are subordinated to the ethical ideal.

Voices.

Hear, hear! Bravo!

Bernick.

[At the same time.] Permit me——

Rörlund.

Only a few words more, Consul Bernick. Your labours on behalf of this community have certainly not been undertaken in the hope of any tangible reward. But you cannot reject a slight token of your grateful fellow citizens’ appreciation, least of all on this momentous occasion, when, as practical men assure us, we are standing on the threshold of a new era.

Many Voices.

Bravo! Hear, hear! Hear, hear!

[He gives the porters a sign; they bring forward the basket; members of the Committee take out and present, during the following speech, the articles mentioned.

Rörlund.

Therefore, I have now, Consul Bernick, to hand you a silver coffee service. Let it grace your board when we in future, as so often in the past, have the pleasure of meeting under this hospitable roof.

And you, too, gentlemen, who have so zealously co-operated with the first man of our community, we would beg to accept some trifling mementos. This silver goblet we tender to you, Mr. Rummel. You have many a time, amid the ring of wine-cups, done battle in eloquent words for the civic interests of our community; may you often find worthy opportunities to lift and drain this goblet.—To you, Mr. Sandstad, I hand this album, with photographs of your fellow citizens. Your well-known and much-appreciated philanthropy has placed you in the happy position of counting among your friends members of all sections of thecommunity.—And to you, Mr. Vigeland, I have to offer, for the decoration of your domestic sanctum, this book of family devotion, on vellum, and luxuriously bound. Under the ripening influence of years, you have come to view life from a serious standpoint; your activity in the daily affairs of this world has long been purified and ennobled by thoughts of things higher and holier. [Turns towards the Crowd.] And now, my friends, long live Consul Bernick and his fellow workers! Hurrah for the Pillars of Society!

The Whole Crowd.

Long live Consul Bernick! Long live the Pillars of Society! Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!

Lona.

I congratulate you, brother-in-law!

[An expectant silence intervenes.

Bernick.

[Begins earnestly and slowly.] My fellow citizens,—your spokesman has said that we stand this evening on the threshold of a new era; and there, I hope, he was right. But in order that it may be so, we must bring home to ourselves the truth—the truth which has, until this evening, been utterly and in all things banished from our community.

[Astonishment among the audience.

Bernick.

I must begin by repudiating the panegyric with which you, Dr. Rörlund, according to use and wont on such occasions, have overwhelmed me. I do not deserve it; for until to-day I have not been disinterested in my dealings. If I have not always striven for pecuniary profit, at least I amnow conscious that a desire, a craving, for power, influence, and respect has been the motive of most of my actions.

Rummel.

[Half aloud.] What next?

Bernick.

Before my fellow citizens I do not reproach myself for this; for I still believe that I may claim a place among the foremost of our men of practical usefulness.

Many Voices.

Yes, yes, yes!

Bernick.

What I do blame myself for is my weakness in constantly adopting indirect courses, because I knew and feared the tendency of our society to suspect impure motives behind everything a man undertakes. And now I come to a case in point.

Rummel.

[Anxiously.] H’m—h’m!

Bernick.

There are rumours abroad of great purchases of property along the projected line. This property I have bought—all of it—I alone.

Suppressed Voices.

What does he say? The Consul? Consul Bernick?

Bernick.

It is for the present in my hands. Of course, I have confided in my fellow workers, Messrs. Rummel, Vigeland, and Sandstad, and we have agreed to——

Rummel.

It’s not true! Prove!—prove——!

Vigeland.

We have not agreed to anything!

Sandstad.

Well, I must say——

Bernick.

Quite right; we have not yet agreed on what I was about to mention. But I am confident that these three gentlemen will acquiesce when I say that I have this evening determined to form a joint-stock company for the exploitation of these properties; whoever will can have shares in it.

Many Voices.

Hurrah! Long live Consul Bernick!

Rummel.

[Aside toBernick.] Such base treachery——!

Sandstad.

[Likewise.] Then you’ve been fooling us——!

Vigeland.

Why then, devil take——! Oh, Lord, what am I saying!

The Crowd.

[Outside.] Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!

Bernick.

Silence, gentlemen. I have no right to this homage; for what I have now determined was not my original intention. My intention was to retain the whole myself; and I am still of opinion that the property can be most profitably worked if itremains in the control of one man. But it is for the shareholders to choose. If they wish it, I am willing to manage it for them to the best of my ability.

Voices.

Yes, yes, yes!

Bernick.

But, first, my fellow citizens must know me to the core. Then let every one look into his own heart, and let us realise the prediction that from this evening we begin a new era. The old, with its tinsel, its hypocrisy and hollowness, its sham propriety, and its despicable cowardice, shall lie behind us like a museum, open for instruction; and to this museum we will present—will we not, gentlemen?—the coffee service, and the goblet, and the album, and the family devotions on vellum and luxuriously bound.

Rummel.

Yes, of course.

Vigeland.

[Mutters.] When you’ve taken all the rest, why——

Sandstad.

As you please.

Bernick.

And now to come to the chief point in my settlement with society. It has been said that elements of evil have left us this evening. I can add what you do not know: the man thus alluded to did not go alone; with him went, to become his wife——

Lona.

[Loudly.] Dina Dorf!

Rörlund.

What?

Mrs. Bernick.

What do you say?

[Great sensation.

Rörlund.

Fled? Run away—withhim! Impossible!

Bernick.

To become his wife, Doctor Rörlund. And I have more to add. [Aside.] Betty, collect yourself to bear what is coming. [Aloud.] I say: Honour to that man, for he has nobly taken upon himself another’s sin. My fellow citizens, I will get clear of the lie; it has gone near to poisoning every fibre in my being. You shall know all. Fifteen years ago, it wasIwho sinned.

Mrs. Bernick.

[In a low and trembling voice.] Karsten.

Martha.

[Likewise.] Ah, Johan——!

Lona.

At last you have found your true self!

[Speechless astonishment among the listeners.

Bernick.

Yes, my fellow citizens, I was guilty, and he fled. The false and vile rumours which were afterwards current, it is now in no human power to disprove. But of this I cannot complain. Fifteen years ago I swung myself aloft by aid of these rumours; whether I am now to fall with them is for you to decide.

Rörlund.

What a thunderbolt! The first man in the town——! [Softly toMrs. Bernick.] Oh, how I pity you, Mrs. Bernick!

Hilmar.

Such a confession! Well, I must say——

Bernick.

But do not decide this evening. I ask every one of you to go home—to collect himself—to look into himself. When your minds are calm again, it will be seen whether I have lost or gained by speaking out. Good-night! I have still much, very much, to repent of, but that concerns only my own conscience. Good-night! Away with all this show! We all feel that it is out of place here.

Rörlund.

Assuredly it is. [Softly toMrs. Bernick.] Run away! So, after all, she was quite unworthy of me. [Half aloud, to the Committee.] Yes, gentlemen, after this, I think we had better withdraw as quickly as possible.

Hilmar.

How, after this, one is to hold high the banner of the ideal, I for one——Ugh!

[The announcement has meanwhile been whispered from mouth to mouth. All the members of the procession retire through the garden.Rummel,Sandstad,andVigelandgo off disputing earnestly but softly.Hilmar Tönnesenslips out to the right.Consul Bernick,Mrs.Bernick,Martha,Lona,andKrapalone remain in the room. There is a short silence.

Bernick.

Betty, can you forgive me?

Mrs. Bernick.

[Looks smilingly at him.] Do you know, Karsten, you have made me feel happier and more hopeful than I have felt for many years?

Bernick.

How so?

Mrs. Bernick.

For many years I have thought that you had once been mine, and I had lost you. Now I know that you never were mine; but I shall win you.

Bernick.

[Embracing her.] Oh, Betty, youhavewon me! Through Lona I have at last learnt really to know you. But now let Olaf come.

Mrs. Bernick.

Yes, now you shall have him. Mr. Krap——!

[She whispers to him him the background. He goes out by the garden door. During the following all the transparencies and lights in the houses are gradually extinguished.

Bernick.

[Softly.] Thanks, Lona; you have saved what is best in me—and for me.

Lona.

What else did I intend?

Bernick.

Yes, what—what did you intend? I cannot fathom you.

Lona.

H’m——

Bernick.

It was not hatred then? Not revenge? Why did you come over?

Lona.

Old friendship does not rust.

Bernick.

Lona!

Lona.

When Johan told me all that about the lie, I swore to myself: The hero of my youth shall stand free and true.

Bernick.

Oh, how little has a pitiful creature like me deserved this of you!

Lona.

Yes, if we women always asked for deserts, Karsten——!

AuneandOlafenter from the garden.

Bernick.

[Rushing to him.] Olaf!

Olaf.

Father, I promise never to do it again.

Bernick.

To run away?

Olaf.

Yes, yes, I promise, father.

Bernick.

And I promise that you shall never have reason to. In future you shall be allowed to grow up, not as the heir to my life-work, but as one who has a life-work of his own to look forward to.

Olaf.

And will you let me be whatever I want to?

Bernick.

Whatever you like.

Olaf.

Thank you, father. Then I won’t be a pillar of society.

Bernick.

Ah! Why not?

Olaf.

Oh, I think it must be so tiresome.

Bernick.

You shall be yourself, Olaf; and we won’t trouble about anything else. And you, Aune——

Aune.

I know it, Consul: I am dismissed.

Bernick.

We will not part company, Aune; and forgive me——

Aune.

What? The ship can’t get away to-night.

Bernick.

Nor yet to-morrow. I gave you too little time. She must be overhauled more thoroughly.

Aune.

She shall be, Consul—and with the new machines!

Bernick.

So be it—but thoroughly and honestly, mind. There are a good many things here that need thorough and honest overhauling. So good-night, Aune.

Aune.

Good-night, Consul—and thank you heartily.

[He goes out to the right.

Mrs. Bernick.

Now they are all gone.

Bernick.

And we are alone. My name no longer shines in the transparencies; all the lights are out in the windows.

Lona.

Would you have them lighted again?

Bernick.

Not for all the world. Where have I been? You will be horrified when you know. I am feeling now as if I had just come to my senses again after being poisoned. But I feel—I feel that Icanbe young and strong again. Oh, come nearer—closer around me. Come, Betty! Come, Olaf! Come, Martha! Oh, Martha, it seems as though I had never seen you during all these years.

Lona.

No, I daresay not; your society is a society of bachelor-souls; you have no eyes for womanhood.

Bernick.

True, true. And for that very reason—it is settled, Lona, is it not?—you won’t leave Betty and me?

Mrs. Bernick.

No, Lona; you must not!

Lona.

No; how could I think of going away and leaving you young people, just beginning life? Am I not your foster-mother? You and I, Martha, we are the two old aunts——What are you looking at?

Martha.

How the sky is clearing; how it grows light over the sea. ThePalm Treehas fortune with it——

Lona.

And happiness on board.

Bernick.

And we—we have a long, earnest day of work before us; I most of all. But let it come! Gather close around me, you true and faithful women. I have learntthis, in these days: it is you women who are the pillars of society.

Lona.

Then you have learnt a poor wisdom, brother-in-law. [Lays her hand firmly upon his shoulder.] No, no; the spirits of Truth and Freedom—theseare the Pillars of Society.

THE END.

Printed byBallantyne & Co. LimitedTavistock Street, Covent Garden, London

Printed byBallantyne & Co. Limited

Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London

Transcriber’s NoteThere are quite a few instances of missing punctuation. The conventional period following the character’s name is sometimes missing and has been added for consistency’s sake without further comment. Those missing from setting and stage direction are also added without comment, since there is no obvious purpose to be served by the omission. However, the restoration of punctuation missing from dialogue is noted below, since the punctuation is frequently expressive.Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and are noted below. The references are to the page and line in the original.In the Introduction toThe League of Youth, mention is made of a ‘usually long’ pause before publication of the work, but based on the following discussion, the word was certainly meant to be ‘unusually’.Volume I of this series included errata for each succeeding volume, and noted one correction for Volume VI. On p.288, ‘railways’ should have been ‘railway’. The correction is applied here.xii.15in the second act[./,]Replaced.xvi.6a small [c]ollectionRestored.xvi.22to the [un]usually long pauseAdded.11.10Oh yes, with pleasure[.]Added.13.2What[!]Unclear, but probable.21.27Adventurer and d[a/e]magogueReplaced.30.30Me[./,] Chamberlain?Replaced.36.30this terrible storm?[”]Added.37.2several years ago[.]Added.42.2it has been delightful[.]Added.48.29Yes, I am[.]Added.98.9Doctor, what have you done[?]Added.109.8nonsensical prejudices[.]Added.109.18You are an adventurer[,]Added.116.24higher interest on loans[.]Added.122.7We shall soon find that out[.]Added.135.18One would suppose so[.]Added.150.24Yes[,] look closely at it.Added.171.9I am an old hand at prophecy[.]Added. Perhaps semi-colon.182.27about the Chamberlain[.]Added.183.26Asla[sk/ks]en.Transposed.188.24what has happened at Stonelee[./?]Replaced.190.28be good enough to drop that title[.]Added.210.20the order of the day[.]Added.214.4What in[s]trusivenessRemoved.245.6[r]emember I am quite newAdded.247.20no one knows exactly about that[,]Added.261.28Mr[.] Bernick.Added.288.22railway[s] accidentsRemoved, per Errata.307.14why did you think I wou[ld] come?Restored.324.27Not a word more to-day[!]Added.329.19It was complet[e]ly repairedInserted.336.10not a halfpenny was missing[.]Added.351.14Aha, he has been here[.]Added.357.9prosper with the railway[.]Added.365.26Why, Rummel, what[ is] the meaningRestored.373.31I will take such care of you[.]Added.386.29No, no[!]Added.

Transcriber’s Note

There are quite a few instances of missing punctuation. The conventional period following the character’s name is sometimes missing and has been added for consistency’s sake without further comment. Those missing from setting and stage direction are also added without comment, since there is no obvious purpose to be served by the omission. However, the restoration of punctuation missing from dialogue is noted below, since the punctuation is frequently expressive.

Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and are noted below. The references are to the page and line in the original.

In the Introduction toThe League of Youth, mention is made of a ‘usually long’ pause before publication of the work, but based on the following discussion, the word was certainly meant to be ‘unusually’.

Volume I of this series included errata for each succeeding volume, and noted one correction for Volume VI. On p.288, ‘railways’ should have been ‘railway’. The correction is applied here.

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