Chapter 8

Stensgård.

Just let me tell you this: if you break loose in any way, if you go a single step beyond my orders, and try to exploit the movement in your own dirty interests, I’ll go to the opposition printer and start a new paper. We have money, you must know! We can bring your rag to ruin in a fortnight.

Aslaksen.

[Pale.] You wouldn’t do that!

Stensgård.

Yes, I would; and you’ll see I can edit a paper so as to appeal to the great public.

Aslaksen.

Then I’ll go this instant to Chamberlain Bratsberg——

Stensgård.

You? What have you to do with him?

Aslaksen.

What haveyouto do with him? Do you think I don’t know why you are invited here? It’s because he is afraid of you, and of what you may do; and you are making capital of that. But if he’s afraid of what you may do, he’ll be no less afraid of what I may print; andIwill make capital of that!

Stensgård.

Would you dare to? A wretched creature like you——!

Aslaksen.

I’ll soon show you. If your speech is to be kept out of the paper, the Chamberlain shall pay me for keeping it out.

Stensgård.

Try it; just try it! You’re drunk, fellow——!

Aslaksen.

Only in moderation. But I’ll fight like a lion if you try to take my poor crust out of my mouth.Little you know what sort of a home mine is: a bedridden wife, a crippled child——

Stensgård.

Off with you! Do you think I want to be soiled with your squalor? What are your bedridden wives and deformed brats to me? If you stand in my way, if you dare so much as to obstruct a single one of my prospects, you shall be on the parish before the year’s out!

Aslaksen.

I’ll waitoneday——

Stensgård.

Ah, you’re coming to your senses.

Aslaksen.

I shall announce to the subscribers in a handbill that in consequence of an indisposition contracted at the fête, the editor——

Stensgård.

Yes, do so; I daresay, later on, we shall come to an understanding.

Aslaksen.

I trust we may.—Remember this, Mr. Stensgård: that paper is my one ewe lamb.

[Goes out by the back.

Lundestad.

[At the foremost garden door.] Ah, Mr. Stensgård!

Stensgård.

Ah, Mr. Lundestad!

Lundestad.

You here alone? If you have no objection, I should like to have a little talk with you.

Stensgård.

With pleasure.

Lundestad.

In the first place, let me say that if any one has told you that I have said anything to your disadvantage, you musn’t believe it.

Stensgård.

To my disadvantage? What do you mean?

Lundestad.

Oh, nothing; nothing, I assure you. You see, there are so many busybodies here, that go about doing nothing but setting people by the ears.

Stensgård.

Well, on the whole—I’m afraid our relationsarea little strained.

Lundestad.

They are quite natural relations, Mr. Stensgård: the relation of the old to the new; it is always so.

Stensgård.

Oh, come, Mr. Lundestad, you are not so old as all that.

Lundestad.

Yes indeed, I’m getting old. I have held my seat ever since 1839. It’s time I should be relieved.

Stensgård.

Relieved?

Lundestad.

Times change, you see. New problems arise, and for their solution we want new forces.

Stensgård.

Now, frankly, Mr. Lundestad—are you really going to give up your seat to Monsen?

Lundestad.

To Monsen? No, certainly not to Monsen.

Stensgård.

Then I don’t understand——

Lundestad.

Suppose, now, I did retire in Monsen’s favour: do you think he would be elected?

Stensgård.

It’s hard to say. As the preliminary election comes on the day after to-morrow, there may scarcely be time to prepare the public mind; but——

Lundestad.

I don’t believe he would manage it. The Chamberlain’s party, my party, would not vote for him. Of course “my party” is a figure of speech; I mean the men of property, the old families, who are settled on their own land and belong to it. They won’t have anything to do with Monsen. Monsen is a newcomer; no one really knows anything about Monsen and his affairs. And then he has had to cut down so much to clear a place for himself—to fell both trees and men, you may say.

Stensgård.

Well then, if you think he has no chance——

Lundestad.

H’m! You are a man of rare gifts, Mr.Stensgård.Providence has dealt lavishly with you. But it has made one little oversight: it ought to have given you one thing more.

Stensgård.

And what may that be?

Lundestad.

Tell me—why do you never think of yourself? Why have you no ambition?

Stensgård.

Ambition? I?

Lundestad.

Why do you waste all your strength on other people? In one word—why not go into Parliament yourself?

Stensgård.

I? You are not serious?

Lundestad.

Why not? You have qualified, I hear. And if you don’t seize this opportunity, then some one else will come in; and when once he is firm in the saddle, it may not be so easy to unseat him.

Stensgård.

Great heavens, Mr. Lundestad! do you really mean what you say?

Lundestad.

Oh, I don’t want to commit you; if you don’t care about it——

Stensgård.

Not care about it! Well, I must confess I’m not so utterly devoid of ambition as you suppose. But do you really think it possible?

Lundestad.

Oh, there’s nothing impossible about it. I should do my best, and so, no doubt, would the Chamberlain; he knows your oratorical gifts. You have the young men on your side——

Stensgård.

Mr. Lundestad, by heaven, you are my true friend!

Lundestad.

Oh, you don’t mean much by that. If you really looked upon me as a friend, you would relieve me of this burden. You have young shoulders; you could bear it so easily.

Stensgård.

I place myself entirely at your disposal; I will not fail you.

Lundestad.

Then you are really not disinclined to——

Stensgård.

Here’s my hand on it!

Lundestad.

Thanks! Believe me, Mr. Stensgård, you will not regret it. But now we must go warily to work.We must both of us take care to be on the electoral college—I to propose you as my successor, and put you through your facings before the rest; and you to give an account of your views——

Stensgård.

If we once get so far, we are safe. In the electoral college you are omnipotent.

Lundestad.

There is a limit to omnipotence. You must of course bring your oratory into play; you must take care to explain away anything that might seem really awkward or objectionable——

Stensgård.

You don’t mean that I am to break with my party?

Lundestad.

Now just look at the thing reasonably. What do we mean when we talk of two parties? We have, on the one hand, certain men or families who are in possession of the common civic advantages—I mean property, independence, and power. That is the party I belong to. On the other hand, we have the mass of our younger fellow citizens who want to share in these advantages. That is your party. But that party you will quite naturally and properly pass out of when you get into power—to say nothing of taking up a solid position as a man of property—for of coursethatis essential, Mr. Stensgård.

Stensgård.

Yes, I believe it is. But the time is short; and such a position is not to be attained in a day.

Lundestad.

That’s true; but perhaps the prospect of such a position would be enough——

Stensgård.

The prospect——?

Lundestad.

Have you any rooted objection to a good marriage, Mr. Stensgård? There are heiresses in the country-side. A man like you, with a future before him—a man who can reckon on attaining the highest offices—believe me, you needn’t fear a repulse if you play your cards neatly.

Stensgård.

Then, for heaven’s sake, help me in the game! You open wide vistas to me—great visions! All that I have hoped and longed for, and that seemed so dreamlike and far away, stands suddenly before me in living reality—to lead the people forward towards emancipation, to——

Lundestad.

Yes, we must keep our eyes open, Mr. Stensgård. I see your ambition is already on the alert. That’s well. The rest will come of itself.—In the meantime, thanks! I shall never forget your readiness to take the burden of office from my old shoulders.

[The whole party gradually enters from the garden. Two maid-servants bring in candles and hand round refreshments during the following scene.

Selma.

[Goes towards the piano at the back, left.] Mr. Stensgård, you must join us; we are going to have a game of forfeits.

Stensgård.

With pleasure; I am just in the mood.

[Follows her towards the back, makes arrangements with her, places chairs, etc. etc.

Erik Bratsberg.

[In an undertone.] What the deuce is this my father is saying, Mr. Heire? What speech has Mr. Stensgård been making yesterday?

Heire.

Hee-hee! Don’t you know about it?

Erik.

No; we townspeople had our dinner and ball at the Club. My father declares Mr. Stensgård has entirely broken with the Stonelee gang—that he was frightfully rude to Monsen——

Heire.

To Monsen! No, you must have misunderstood him, my dear sir.

Erik.

Well, there were a whole lot of people about, so that I couldn’t quite follow what he said; but I certainly heard——

Heire.

Wait till to-morrow—— I say no more. You’ll have the whole story with your coffee, in Aslaksen’s paper.

[They separate.

The Chamberlain.

Well, my dear Lundestad, are you sticking to those crotchets of yours?

Lundestad.

They are no crotchets, Chamberlain; rather than be ousted, one should give way gracefully.

The Chamberlain.

Nonsense; who is dreaming of ousting you?

Lundestad.

H’m; I’m an old weather-prophet. There has been a change in the wind. Besides, I have my successor ready. Mr. Stensgård is willing——

The Chamberlain.

Mr. Stensgård?

Lundestad.

Wasn’t that what you meant? I took it for a hint when you said he was a man we must make friends with and support.

The Chamberlain.

I meant in his onslaught upon all the corruption and swindling that goes on at Stonelee.

Lundestad.

But how could you count so confidently upon his breaking with that crew?

The Chamberlain.

He did it openly enough last evening, my dear fellow.

Lundestad.

Last evening?

The Chamberlain.

Yes, when he spoke of Monsen’s deplorable influence in the district.

Lundestad.

[Open-mouthed.] Of Monsen’s——?

The Chamberlain.

Of course; that time on the table——

Lundestad.

On the table? Yes?

The Chamberlain.

He was frightfully rude; called him a money-bag, and a griffin or a basilisk, or something. Ha-ha!—it was great sport to hear him.

Lundestad.

Great sport, was it?

The Chamberlain.

Yes, I own I’m not sorry to see these people a little roughly handled. But now we must back him up; for after such a savage attack——

Lundestad.

As that of yesterday, you mean?

The Chamberlain.

Of course.

Lundestad.

Upon the table?

The Chamberlain.

Yes, upon the table.

Lundestad.

Against Monsen?

The Chamberlain.

Yes, against Monsen and his set. Of course they’ll try to have their revenge; you can’t blame them——

Lundestad.

[Decidedly.] Mr. Stensgård must be supported—that is clear!

Thora.

Father dear, you must join in the game.

The Chamberlain.

Oh, nonsense, child——

Thora.

Yes, indeed you must; Selma insists upon it.

The Chamberlain.

Very well, I suppose I must give in. [In an undertone as they go towards the back.] I’m quite distressed about Lundestad; he is really failing; fancy, he didn’t in the least understand what Stensgård——

Thora.

Oh, come, come; they’ve begun the game.

[She drags him into the circle of young people where the game is in full swing.

Erik.

[Calls from his place.] Mr. Heire, you are appointed forfeit-judge.

Heire.

Hee-hee! It’s the first appointment I ever had.

Stensgård.

[Also in the circle.] On account of your legal experience, Mr. Heire.

Heire.

Oh, my amiable young friends, I should be delighted to sentence you all—— I say no more!

Stensgård.

[Slips up toLundestad,who stands in front on the left.] You were speaking to the Chamberlain. What about? Was it about me?

Lundestad.

Unfortunately it was—about that affair of yesterday evening——

Stensgård.

[Writhing.] Oh, confound it all!

Lundestad.

He said you had been frightfully rude.

Stensgård.

Do you think it isn’t a torture to me?

Lundestad.

Now is your chance to atone for it.

Erik.

[Calls.] Mr. Stensgård, it’s your turn.

Stensgård.

Coming! [Quickly toLundestad.] What do you mean?

Lundestad.

Find an opportunity and apologise to the Chamberlain.

Stensgård.

By heaven, I will!

Selma.

Make haste, make haste!

Stensgård.

I’m coming! Here I am!

[The game goes on with noise and laughter. Some elderly gentlemen play cards on the right.Lundestadtakes a seat on the left;Daniel Heirenear him.

Heire.

That whelp twits me with my legal experience, does he?

Lundestad.

He’s rather free with his tongue, that’s certain.

Heire.

And so the whole family goes and fawns upon him. Hee-hee! They’re pitifully afraid of him.

Lundestad.

No, there you are wrong, Mr. Heire; the Chamberlain is not afraid of him.

Heire.

Not afraid? Do you think I’m blind, my good sir?

Lundestad.

No, but—I can trust you to keep the secret? Well, I’ll tell you all about it. The Chamberlain thinks it was Monsen he was attacking.

Heire.

Monsen? Oh, absurd!

Lundestad.

Fact, Mr. Heire! Ringdal or Miss Thora must have got him persuaded that——

Heire.

And so he goes and asks him to a state dinner-party! Deuce take me, if that isn’t the best thing I’ve heard for long! No, really now, I can’t keepthatbottled up.

Lundestad.

Sh, sh! Remember your promise. The Chamberlain’s your old school-fellow: and even if he has been a little hard upon you——

Heire.

Hee-hee! I’ll pay him back with interest!

Lundestad.

Take care! The Chamberlain is powerful. Don’t play tricks in the lion’s den!

Heire.

Bratsberg a lion? Pooh, he’s a blockhead, sir, and I am not. Oh, won’t I get a rare crop of taunts, and jibes, and innuendoes out of this, when once our great suit comes on!

Selma.

[Calls from the circle.] Learned judge, what shall the owner of this forfeit do?

Erik.

[Unnoticed, toHeire.] It’s Stensgård’s! Think of something amusing.

Heire.

That forfeit? Hee-hee, let me see; he might, for example—yes—he shall make a speech!

Selma.

It’s Mr. Stensgård’s forfeit.

Erik.

Mr. Stensgård is to make a speech.

Stensgård.

Oh no, spare me that; I came off badly enough last night.

The Chamberlain.

Excellently, Mr. Stensgård; I know something of public speaking.

Lundestad.

[ToHeire.] If only he doesn’t put his foot in it now.

Heire.

Put his foot in it? Hee-hee! You’re a sharp one! That’s an inspiration! [In an undertone toStensgård.] If you came off badly last night, why not put yourself right again to-night?

Stensgård.

[Seized with a sudden idea.] Lundestad, here is the opportunity!

Lundestad.

[Evasively.] Play your cards neatly.

[Looks for his hat and slips quietly towards the door.

Stensgård.

Yes, I will make a speech!

The Young Ladies.

Bravo! Bravo!

Stensgård.

Fill your glasses, ladies and gentlemen! I am going to make a speech which shall begin with a fable; for here I seem to breathe the finer air of fable-land.

Erik.

[To theLadies.] Hush! Listen!

[The Chamberlaintakes his glass from the card-table on the right, beside which he remains standing.Ringdal,Fieldbo,and one or two other gentlemen come in from the garden.

Stensgård.

It was in the spring time. There came a young cuckoo flying over the uplands. Now the cuckoo is an adventurer. There was a great Bird-Parliament on the meadow beneath him, and both wild and tame fowl flocked to it. They came tripping out of the hen-yards; they waddled up from the goose-ponds; down, from Stonelee hulked a fat capercailzie, flying low and noisily; he settled down, and ruffled his feathers and flapped his wings, and made himself even broader than he was; and every now and then he crowed: “Krak, krak,krak!” as much as to say: I’m the game-cock from Stonelee, I am!

The Chamberlain.

Capital! Hear, hear!

Stensgård.

And then there was an old woodpecker. He bustled up and down the tree-trunks, pecking with his pointed beak, and gorging himself with grubs and everything that turns to gall. To right and left you heard him going: prik, prik, prik! And that was the woodpecker.

Erik.

Excuse me, wasn’t it a stork, or a——?[16]

Heire.

Say no more!

Stensgård.

That was the old woodpecker. But now there came life into the crew; for they found something to cackle evil about. And they flustered together, and cackled in chorus, until at last the young cuckoo began to join in the cackling——

Fieldbo.

[Unnoticed.] For God’s sake, man, be quiet!

Stensgård.

Now it was an eagle they cackled about—an eagle who dwelt in lonely dignity upon a beetlingcliff.[17]They were all agreed about him. “He’s a bugbear to the neighbourhood,” croaked a hoarse raven. But the eagle swooped down into their midst, seized the cuckoo, and bore him aloft to his eyrie.—Heart conquered heart! From that clear summit the adventurer-cuckoo looked far and wide over the lowlands; there he found sunshine and peace; and there he learned to judge aright the swarm from the hen-yards and the clearings——

Fieldbo.

[Loudly.] Bravo, bravo! And now some music.

The Chamberlain.

Hush! Don’t interrupt him.

Stensgård.

Chamberlain Bratsberg—here my fable ends; and here I stand before you, in the presence of every one, to beg your forgiveness for last night.

The Chamberlain.

[Falls a step backwards.] Mine——?

Stensgård.

I thank you for the magnanimous vengeance you have taken for my senseless words. In me you have henceforth a faithful champion. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I drink the health of the eagle on the mountain-top—the health of Chamberlain Bratsberg.

The Chamberlain.

[Clutching at the table.] Thank you, Mr.—Mr. Stensgård.

The Guests.

[For the most part in painful embarrassment.] The Chamberlain! Chamberlain Bratsberg!

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