ACT THIRD.
The garden-room in Consul Bernick’s house.
Bernick, with a cane in his hand, enters, in a violent passion, from the second room on the left, leaving the door half open.
Bernick.
There, now! At last I’ve done it in earnest; I don’t think he’ll forget that thrashing. [To some one in the other room.] What do you say?—I say you are a foolish mother! You make excuses for him, and encourage him in all his naughtiness——Not naughtiness? What do you call it then? To steal out of the house at night and go to sea in a fishing-boat; to remain out till late in the day, and put me in mortal terror, as if I hadn’t enough anxiety without that. And the young rascal dares to threaten me with running away! Just let him try it!—You? No, I daresay not; you don’t seem to care much what becomes of him. I believe if he were to break his neck——! Oh, indeed? But it happens that I need some one to carry on my work in the world; it would not suit me to be left childless. Don’t argue, Betty; I have said it, once for all; he is not to leave the house. [Listens.] Hush, don’t let people notice anything.
Krap comes in from the right.
Krap.
Can you spare me a moment, Consul.
Bernick.
[Throws away the cane.] Of course, of course Have you come from the shipyard?
Krap.
Just this moment. H’m——
Bernick.
Well? Nothing wrong with the Palm Tree, I hope?
Krap.
The Palm Tree can sail to-morrow, but——
Bernick.
The Indian Girl, then? I might have guessed that that stiff-necked——
Krap.
The Indian Girl can sail to-morrow, too; but—I don’t think she will get very far.
Bernick.
What do you mean?
Krap.
Excuse me, Consul, that door is ajar, and I think there is some one in the room——
Bernick.
[Shuts the door.] There then. But what is the meaning of all this secrecy?
Krap.
It means this: I believe Aune intends to send the Indian Girl to the bottom, with every soul on board.
Bernick.
Good heavens! how can you think——?
Krap.
I can explain it in no other way, Consul.
Bernick.
Well then, tell me as shortly as you can——
Krap.
I will. You know how things have been dragging in the yard since we got the new machines and the new inexperienced workmen?
Bernick.
Yes, yes.
Krap.
But this morning, when I went down there, I noticed that the repairs on the American had been going at a great rate. The big patch in her bottom—the rotten place, you know——
Bernick.
Yes, yes; what about it?
Krap.
It was completely[completely] repaired—to all appearance; plastered up; looked as good as new. I heard that Aune himself had been working at it by lantern-light the whole night through.
Bernick.
Yes, yes, and then——?
Krap.
I was a good deal puzzled. It happened that the workmen were at breakfast, so I could ferret about as I pleased, both outside and inside. It was difficult to get down into the hold, among the cargo; but I saw enough to convince me. There is rascality at work, Consul.
Bernick.
I can’t believe it, Mr. Krap. I cannot and will not believe such a thing of Aune.
Krap.
I’m sorry for it, but it’s the simple truth. There is rascality at work, I say. Not a stick of new timber had been put in, so far as I could see. It was only plugged and puttied up, and covered with plates and tarpaulins, and so forth. All bogus! The Indian Girl will never get to New York. She’ll go to the bottom like a cracked pot.
Bernick.
Why, this is horrible! What do you think can be his motive?
Krap.
He probably wants to bring the machines into discredit; wants to revenge himself; wants to have the old workmen taken on again.
Bernick.
And for that he would send all these men to their death?
Krap.
He has been heard to say that the crew of the Indian Girl are brute beasts, not men.
Bernick.
Yes, yes, that may be; but does he not think of the great loss of capital?
Krap.
Aune is not over-fond of capital, Consul.
Bernick.
True enough; he is an agitator and mischief-maker; but such a piece of villainy as this——. I’ll tell you what, Mr. Krap: this affair must be looked into again. Not a word of it to any one. Our yard would lose its reputation if this came to people’s ears.
Krap.
Of course, but——
Bernick.
During the dinner-hour you must go down there again; I must have absolute certainty.
Krap.
You shall, Consul. But, excuse me, what will you do then?
Bernick.
Why, report the case of course. We cannot be accessories to a crime. I must keep my conscience clear. Besides, it will make a good impression on both the press and the public, to see me disregard all personal interests, and let justice take its course.
Krap.
Very true, Consul.
Bernick.
But, first of all, absolute certainty—and, until then, silence.
Krap.
Not a word, Consul; and you shall have absolute certainty.
[He goes out through the garden and down the street.
Bernick.
[Half aloud.] Horrible! But no, it’s impossible—inconceivable!
[As he turns to go to his own room Hilmar Tönnesen enters from the right.
Hilmar.
Good-day, Bernick! Well, I congratulate you on your field-day in the Trade Council yesterday.
Bernick.
Oh, thank you.
Hilmar.
It was a brilliant victory, I hear; the victory of intelligent public spirit over self-interest and prejudice—like a French razzia upon the Kabyles. Strange, that after the unpleasant scene here, you——
Bernick.
Yes, yes, don’t speak of it.
Hilmar.
But the tug-of-war is yet to come.
Bernick.
In the matter of the railway, you mean?
Hilmar.
Yes. I suppose you have heard of the egg that our editor-friend is hatching?
Bernick.
[Anxiously.] No! What is it?
Hilmar.
Oh, he has got hold of the rumour that’s floating about, and is coming out with an article on the subject.
Bernick.
What rumour?
Hilmar.
Why, about the great buying-up of property along the branch line, of course.
Bernick.
What do you mean? Is there any such rumour about?
Hilmar.
Yes, over the whole town. I heard it at the club. They say that one of our lawyers has been secretly commissioned to buy up all the forests, all the mining rights, all the water-power——
Bernick.
And is it known for whom?
Hilmar.
They thought at the club that it must be for a syndicate from some other town that had got wind of your scheme, and had rushed in before the prices rose. Isn’t it disgraceful? Ugh!
Bernick.
Disgraceful?
Hilmar.
Yes, that outsiders should trespass on our preserves in that way. And that one of our own lawyers could lend himself to such a transaction! Now all the profit will go to strangers.
Bernick
But this is only a vague rumour.
Hilmar.
People believe it, at any rate; and to-morrow or next day you may look for some editorial comments on the fact. Every one is indignant about it already. I heard several people say that if this rumour is confirmed they will strike their names off the lists.
Bernick.
Impossible!
Hilmar.
Indeed? Why do you think these peddling creatures were so ready to join you in your undertaking? Do you think they weren’t themselves hankering after——?
Bernick.
Impossible, I say; there is at least so much public spirit in our little community——
Hilmar.
Here? Oh yes, you are an optimist, and judge others by yourself. But I am a pretty keen observer, and I tell you there is not a person here—except ourselves, of course—not one, I say, that holds high the banner of the ideal. [Up towards the back.] Ugh, there they are!
Bernick.
Who?
Hilmar.
The two Americans. [Looks out to the right.] And who is that with them? Why, it’s the captain of the Indian Girl. Ugh!
Bernick.
What can they want with him?
Hilmar.
Oh, it’s very appropriate company. They say he has been a slave-dealer or a pirate; and who knows what that couple have turned their hands to in all these years.
Bernick.
I tell you, such innuendoes are utterly unjust.
Hilmar.
Yes, you are an optimist. But here we have them upon us again of course; so I shall get away in time.
[Goes towards the door on the left.
Lona Hessel enters from the right.
Lona.
What, Hilmar, am I driving you away?
Hilmar.
Not at all, not at all. I really oughtn’t to have been wasting time here; I have something to say to Betty.
[Goes out by the second door on the left.
Bernick.
[After a short pause.] Well, Lona?
Lona.
Well?
Bernick.
What do you think of me to-day?
Lona.
The same as yesterday; a lie more or less——
Bernick.
I must clear all this up. Where has Johan gone to?
Lona.
He will be here directly; he is talking to a man outside there.
Bernick.
After what you heard yesterday, you can understand that my whole position is ruined if the truth comes to light.
Lona.
I understand.
Bernick.
Of course I need not tell you that I was not guilty of the supposed crime.
Lona.
Of course not. But who was the thief?
Bernick.
There was no thief. There was no money stolen; not a halfpenny was missing.[missing.]
Lona.
What?
Bernick.
Not a halfpenny, I say.
Lona.
But the rumour? How did that shameful rumour get abroad, that Johan——?
Bernick.
Lona, I find I can talk to you as I can to no one else; I shall conceal nothing from you. I had my share in spreading the rumour.
Lona.
You! And you could do this wrong to the man who, for your sake——?
Bernick.
You must not condemn me without remembering how matters stood at the time. As I told you yesterday, I came home to find my mother involved in a whole series of foolish undertakings. Disasters of various kinds followed; all possible ill-luck seemed to crowd in upon us; our house was on the verge of ruin. I was half reckless and half in despair. Lona, I believe it was principally to deaden thought that I got into that entanglement which ended in Johan’s going away.
Lona.
H’m——
Bernick.
You can easily imagine that there were all sorts of rumours in the air after you two had left. It was said that this was not his first misdemeanour. Some said Dorf had received a large sum of money from him to hold his tongue and keep out of the way; others declared she had got the money. At the same time it got abroad that our house had difficulty in meeting its engagements. What more natural than that the scandal-mongers should put these two rumours together? Then, as Madam Dorf remained here in unmistakable poverty, people began to say that he had taken the money with him to America; and rumour made the sum larger and larger every day.
Lona.
And you, Karsten——?
Bernick.
I clutched at the rumour as a drowning man clutches at a straw.
Lona.
You helped to spread it?
Bernick.
I did not contradict it. Our creditors were beginning to press upon us; I had to quiet them—to prevent them from doubting the solidity of the firm. I let it be thought that a momentary misfortune had befallen us, but that if people only refrained from pressing us—if they would only give us time—every one should be paid in full.
Lona.
And every one was paid in full?
Bernick.
Yes, Lona; that rumour saved our house and made me the man I am.
Lona.
A lie, then, has made you the man you are.
Bernick.
Whom did it hurt, then? Johan intended never to return.
Lona.
You ask whom it hurt? Look into yourself and see if it has not hurt you.
Bernick.
Look into any man you please, and you will find at least one dark spot that must be kept out of sight.
Lona.
And you call yourselves pillars of society!
Bernick.
Society has none better.
Lona.
Then what does it matter whether such a society is supported or not? What is it that passes current here? Lies and shams—nothing else. Here are you, the first man in the town, prosperous, powerful, looked up to by every one—you, who have set the brand of crime upon an innocent man.
Bernick.
Do you think I do not feel deeply the wrong I have done him? Do you think I am not prepared to atone for it?
Lona.
How? By speaking out?
Bernick.
Can you ask me to do that?
Lona.
How else can you atone for such a wrong?
Bernick.
I am rich, Lona; Johan may ask for what he pleases——
Lona.
Yes, offer him money, and you’ll see what he will answer.
Bernick.
Do you know what he intends to do?
Lona.
No. Since yesterday he has said nothing to me. It seems as if all this had suddenly made a full-grown man of him.
Bernick.
I must speak to him.
Lona.
Then here he is.
Johan Tönnesen enters from the right.
Bernick.
[Going towards him.] Johan——!
Johan.
[Waving him off.] Let me speak first. Yesterday morning I gave you my word to be silent.
Bernick.
You did.
Johan.
But I did not know then——
Bernick.
Johan, let me in two words explain the circumstances——
Johan.
There is no necessity; I understand the circumstances very well. Your house was in a difficult position; and I was far away, and you had my unprotected name and fame to do what you liked with——Well, I don’t blame you so much for it; we were young and thoughtless in those days. But now I need the truth, and now you must speak out.
Bernick.
And just at this moment I require all my moral authority, and therefore I cannot speak out.
Johan.
I don’t care so much about the falsehoods you have trumped up at my expense; it is the other thing that you must take upon your own shoulders. Dina shall be my wife, and I will live here, here in this town, along with her.
Lona.
You will?
Bernick.
With Dina! As your wife? Here, in this town?
Johan.
Yes, just here; I will stay here to outface all these liars and backbiters. And that I may win her, you must set me free.
Bernick.
Have you considered that, if I plead guilty to the one thing, I plead guilty to the other as well? I can prove by our books, you say, that there was no embezzlement at all? But I cannot; our books were not so accurately kept in those days. And even if I could, what would be gained by it? Should I not figure, at best, as the man who, having once saved himself by falsehood, had let that falsehood, and all its consequences, run on for fifteen years, without taking a single step to retract it? You have forgotten what our society is, or you would know that that would crush me to the very dust.
Johan.
I can only repeat that I shall make Madam Dorf’s daughter my wife, and live with her here, in this town.
Bernick.
[Wipes the perspiration from his forehead.] Hear me, Johan—and you, too, Lona. My position at this moment is not an ordinary one. I am so situated, that if you strike this blow you destroy me utterly, and not only me, but also a great and golden future for the community which was, after all, the home of your childhood.
Johan.
And if I do not strike the blow, I destroy all that makes my own future of value to me.
Lona.
Go on, Karsten.
Bernick.
Then listen. Everything turns upon this question of the railway, and that is not so simple as you think. Of course you have heard that last year there was some talk of a coast-line? It had many powerful advocates in the district, and especially in the press; but I succeeded in blocking it, because it would have injured our steamboat trade along the coast.
Lona.
Have you an interest in this steamboat trade?
Bernick.
Yes; but no one dared to impugn my motives on that account. My spotless name was an ample safeguard. For that matter, I could have borne the loss; but the town could not. Then the inland line was determined on. As soon as the route was fixed, I assured myself secretly that a branch connection between it and the town was practicable.
Lona.
Why secretly, Karsten?
Bernick.
Have you heard any talk of the great buying-up of forests, mines, and water-power?
Johan.
Yes, for a company in some other town——
Bernick.
As these properties now lie, they are as good as worthless to their scattered owners; so they have sold comparatively cheap. If the purchaser had waited until the branch line was known to be in contemplation, the vendors would have demanded fancy prices.
Lona.
Very likely; but what then?
Bernick.
Now comes the point which may or may not be interpreted favourably—a risk which no man in our community could afford to incur, unless he had a spotless and honoured name to rely upon.
Lona.
Well?
Bernick.
It is I who have bought up the whole.
Lona.
You?
Johan.
On your own account?
Bernick.
On my own account. If the branch line is made, I am a millionaire; if not, I am ruined.
Lona.
This is a great risk, Karsten.
Bernick.
I have staked all I possess upon the throw.
Lona.
I was not thinking of the money; but when it comes out that——
Bernick.
Yes, that is the great point. With the unblemished reputation I have hitherto borne, I can take the whole affair upon my shoulders and carry it through, saying to my fellow citizens, “See, this I have ventured for the good of the community!”
Lona.
Of the community?
Bernick.
Yes; and not a soul will question my motives.
Lona.
Then there are some people, it seems, who have acted more openly than you, with no private interests, no ulterior designs.
Bernick.
Who?
Lona.
Why, Rummel and Sandstad and Vigeland, of course.
Bernick.
To make sure of their support, I had to let them into the secret.
Lona.
And they?
Bernick.
They have stipulated for a fifth of the profits.
Lona.
Oh, these pillars of society!
Bernick.
Can you not see that it is society itself that compels us to adopt these indirect courses? What would have happened if I had not acted secretly? Why, every one would have thrown himself into the undertaking, and the whole thing would have been broken up, frittered away, bungled, and ruined. There is not a single man here, except myself, that knows how to organise an enormous concern such as this will become; in this country the men of real business ability are almost all of foreign descent. That is why my conscience acquits me in this matter. Only in my hands can all this property be of permanent benefit to the many whose subsistence will depend upon it.
Lona.
I believe you are right there, Karsten.
Johan.
But I know nothing of “the many,” and my life’s happiness is at stake.
Bernick.
The welfare of your native place is no less at stake. If things come to the surface which cast a slur upon my past life, all my opponents will join forces and overwhelm me. In our society a boyish error is never effaced. People will scrutinise my whole career, will rake up a thousand trifling incidents and interpret and comment upon them in the light of these disclosures. They will crush me beneath the weight of rumours and slanders. I shall have to retire from the railway board; and if I take my hand away, the whole thing will fall to pieces, and I shall have to face not only ruin but social extinction.
Lona.
Johan, after what you have heard, you must go away, and say nothing.
Bernick.
Yes, yes, Johan, you must!
Johan.
Yes, I will go away, and say nothing; but I will come back again, and then I will speak.
Bernick.
Remain over there, Johan; be silent, and I am ready to share with you——
Johan.
Keep your money, and give me back my good name.
Bernick.
And sacrifice my own!
Johan.
You and your “community” must settle that between you. I must and will make Dina my wife. So I shall sail to-morrow in the Indian Girl——
Bernick.
In the Indian Girl?
Johan.
Yes; the captain has promised to take me. I shall go across, I tell you, sell my farm, and settle up my affairs. In two months I shall be back again.
Bernick.
And then you will tell all?
Johan.
Then the wrong-doer must take up his own burden.
Bernick.
Do you forget that I must also take upon me wrong-doing of which I was not guilty?
Johan.
Who was it that, fifteen years ago, reaped the benefit of that shameful rumour?
Bernick.
You drive me to desperation! But if you speak, I will deny everything! I will say it is all a conspiracy against me; a piece of revenge; that you have come here to blackmail me!
Lona.
Shame on you, Karsten!
Bernick.
I am desperate, I tell you; I am fighting for my life. I will deny everything, everything!
Johan.
I have your two letters. I found them in my box among my other papers. I read them through this morning; they are plain enough.
Bernick.
And you will produce them?
Johan.
If you force me to.
Bernick.
And in two months you will be here again?
Johan.
I hope so. The wind is fair. In three weeks I shall be in New York—if the Indian Girl doesn’t go to the bottom.
Bernick.
[Starting.] Go to the bottom? Why should the Indian Girl go to the bottom?
Johan.
That’s just what I say.
Bernick.
[Almost inaudibly.] Go to the bottom?
Johan.
Well, Bernick, now you know what you have to expect; you must do what you can in the mean-time. Good-bye! Give my love to Betty, though she certainly has not received me in a very sisterly fashion. But Martha I must see. She must tell Dina—she must promise me——
[He goes out by the second door on the left.
Bernick.
[To himself.] The Indian Girl——? [Quickly.] Lona, you must prevent this!
Lona.
You see yourself, Karsten—I have lost all power over him.
[She follows Johan into the room on the left.
Bernick.
[In unquiet thought.] Go to the bottom——?
Aune enters from the right.
Aune.
Asking your pardon, Consul, might I speak to you——?
Bernick.
[Turns angrily.] What do you want?
Aune.
I wanted, if I might, to ask you a question, Consul Bernick.
Bernick.
Well, well; be quick. What is it about?
Aune.
I wanted to know if you’re still determined—firmly determined—to turn me adrift if the Indian Girl should not be ready for sea to-morrow?
Bernick.
What now? The ship will be ready for sea.
Aune.
Yes—she will. But supposing as she wasn’t—should I have to go?
Bernick.
Why ask such useless questions?
Aune.
I want to make quite sure, Consul. Just answer me: should I have to go?
Bernick.
Am I in the habit of changing my mind?
Aune.
Then to-morrow I should have lost the place that rightly belongs to me in my home and family—lost my influence among the workmen—lost all my chances of helping them as are lowly and down-trodden?
Bernick.
We have discussed that point long ago, Aune.
Aune.
Then the Indian Girl must sail.
[A short pause.
Bernick.
Listen: I cannot look after everything myself, and be responsible for everything. I suppose you are prepared to assure me that the repairs are thoroughly carried out?
Aune.
It was very short time you gave me, Consul.
Bernick.
But the repairs are all right, you say?
Aune.
The weather is fine, and it is midsummer.
[Another silence.
Bernick.
Have you anything more to say to me?
Aune.
I don’t know as there’s aught else, Consul.
Bernick.
Then—the Indian Girl sails——
Aune.
To-morrow?
Bernick.
Yes.
Aune.
Very well. [He bows and goes out.
[Bernick stands for a moment irresolute; then he goes quickly towards the door as if to call Aune back, but stops and stands hesitating with his hand on the knob. At that moment the door is opened from outside, and Krap enters.
Krap.
[Speaking low.] Aha, he has been here.[here.] Has he confessed?
Bernick.
H’m——; have you discovered anything?
Krap.
What need was there? Did you not see the evil conscience looking out of his very eyes?
Bernick.
Oh, nonsense;—no one can see such things. I asked if you had discovered anything?
Krap.
I couldn’t get at it; I was too late; they were busy hauling the ship out of dock. But this very haste proves plainly that——
Bernick.
It proves nothing. The inspection has taken place, then?
Krap.
Of course; but——
Bernick.
There you see! And they have, of course, found nothing to complain of?
Krap.
Consul, you know very well how such inspections are conducted, especially in a yard that has such a name as ours.
Bernick.
No matter; it relieves us of all reproach.
Krap.
Could you really not read in Aune’s face, Consul——?
Bernick.
Aune has entirely satisfied me, I tell you.
Krap.
And I tell you I am morally convinced——
Bernick.
What does this mean, Mr. Krap? I know very well that you have a grudge against the man; but if you want to attack him, you should choose some other opportunity. You know how essential it is for me—or rather for the owners—that the Indian Girl should sail to-morrow.
Krap.
Very well; so be it; but if ever we hear of that ship again—h’m!
Vigeland enters from the right.
Vigeland.
How do you do, Consul? Have you a moment to spare?
Bernick.
At your service, Mr. Vigeland.
Vigeland.
I only want to know if you agree with me that the Palm Tree ought to sail to-morrow?
Bernick.
Yes—I thought that was settled.
Vigeland.
But the captain has just come to tell me that the storm-signals have been hoisted.
Krap.
The barometer has fallen rapidly since this morning.
Bernick.
Indeed? Is a storm threatening?
Vigeland.
A stiff breeze at any rate; but not a contrary wind; quite the reverse——
Bernick.
H’m; what do you say, then?
Vigeland.
I say, as I said to the captain, that the Palm Tree is in the hands of Providence. And besides, she is only going over the North Sea to begin with; and freights are pretty high in England just now, so that——
Bernick.
Yes, it would probably mean a loss if we delayed.
Vigeland.
The vessel is soundly built, you know, and fully insured too. I can tell you it’s another matter with the Indian Girl——
Bernick.
What do you mean?
Vigeland.
Why, she is to sail to-morrow too.
Bernick.
Yes, the owners hurried us on, and besides——
Vigeland.
Well, if that old hulk can venture out—and with such a crew into the bargain—it would be a shame if we couldn’t——
Bernick.
Well well; I suppose you have the ship’s papers with you.
Vigeland.
Yes, here they are.
Bernick.
Good; then perhaps you will go with Mr. Krap——
Krap.
This way, please; we shall soon put them in order.
Vigeland.
Thanks.—And the result we will leave in the hands of Omnipotence, Consul.
[He goes with Krap into the foremost room on the left. Doctor Rörlund comes through the garden.
Rörlund.
What! You at home at this time of the day, Consul!
Bernick.
[Absently.] As you see!
Rörlund.
I looked in to see your wife. I thought she might need a word of consolation.
Bernick.
I daresay she does. But I, too, should be glad of a word with you.
Rörlund.
With pleasure, Consul. But what is the matter with you? You look quite pale and upset.
Bernick.
Indeed? Do I? Well, can you wonder at it, with such a host of things crowding upon me all at once. Besides all my usual business, I have this affair of the railway——Give me your attention for a moment, Doctor; let me ask you a question.
Rörlund.
By all means, Consul.
Bernick.
A thought has occurred to me lately: When one stands on the threshold of a great undertaking, that is to promote the welfare of thousands,—if a single sacrifice should be demanded——?
Rörlund.
How do you mean?
Bernick.
Take, for example, a man who is starting a large manufactory. He knows very well—for all experience has taught him—that sooner or later, in the working of that manufactory, human life will be lost.
Rörlund.
Yes, it is only too probable.
Bernick.
Or suppose he is about to open a mine. He takes into his service both fathers of families and young men in the heyday of life. May it not be predicted with certainty that some will perish in the undertaking?
Rörlund.
Unhappily there can be little doubt of that.
Bernick.
Well; such a man, then, knows beforehand that his enterprise will undoubtedly, some time or other, lead to the loss of life. But the undertaking is for the greater good of the greater number; for every life it costs, it will, with equal certainty, promote the welfare of many hundreds.
Rörlund.
Ah, you are thinking of the railway—of all the dangerous tunnellings, and blastings, and that sort of thing——
Bernick.
Yes—yes, of course—I am thinking of the railway. And, besides, the railway will bring with it both manufactories and mines. But don’t you think that——
Rörlund.
My dear Consul, you are almost too scrupulous. If you place the affair in the hands of Providence——
Bernick.
Yes; yes, of course; Providence——
Rörlund.
——you can have nothing to reproach yourself with. Go on and prosper with the railway.[railway.]
Bernick.
Yes, but let us take a peculiar case. Let us suppose a blasting has to be made at a dangerous place; and unless it is carried out, the railway will come to a standstill. Suppose the engineer knows that it will cost the life of the workman who fires the fuse; but fired it must be, and it is the engineer’s duty to send a workman to do it.
Rörlund.
H’m——
Bernick.
I know what you will say: It would be heroic if the engineer himself took the match and went and fired the fuse. But no one does such things. So he must sacrifice a workman.
Rörlund.
No engineer among us would ever do that.
Bernick.
No engineer in the great nations would think twice about doing it.
Rörlund.
In the great nations? No, I daresay not. In those corrupt and unscrupulous communities——
Bernick.
Oh, those communities have their good points too.
Rörlund.
Can you say that—you, who yourself——?
Bernick.
In the great nations one has at least elbow-room for useful enterprise. There, men have the courage to sacrifice something for a great cause. But here, one is hampered by all sorts of petty considerations.
Rörlund.
Is a human life a petty consideration?
Bernick.
When that human life is a menace to the welfare of thousands.
Rörlund.
But you are putting quite inconceivable cases, Consul! I don’t understand you to-day. And then you refer me to the great communities. Yes, there—what does a human life count for there? They think no more of staking life than of staking capital. But we, I hope, look at things from an entirely different moral standpoint. Think of our exemplary shipowners! Name me a single merchant here among us who, for the sake of paltry profit, would sacrifice one human life! And then think of those scoundrels in the great communities who enrich themselves by sending out one unseaworthy ship after another——
Bernick.
I am not speaking of unseaworthy ships!
Rörlund.
But I am, Consul.
Bernick.
Yes, but to what purpose? It has nothing to do with the question.—Oh, these little craven qualms of conscience! If a general among us were to lead his troops under fire, and get some of them shot, he would never sleep o’ nights after it. Elsewhere it is very different. You should hear what he says——
[Pointing to the door on the left.
Rörlund.
He? Who? The American——?
Bernick.
Of course. You should hear how people in America——
Rörlund.
Is he in there? Why did you not tell me? I shall go at once——
Bernick.
It’s of no use. You will make no impression on him.
Rörlund.
That we shall see. Ah, here he is.
Johan Tönnesen comes from the room on the left.
Johan.
[Speaking through the open doorway.] Yes, yes, Dina, so be it; but don’t think that I shall give you up. I shall return, and things will come all right between us.
Rörlund.
May I ask what you mean by these words? What is it you want?
Johan.
I want the girl to whom you yesterday traduced me, to be my wife.
Rörlund.
Your——? Can you imagine that——?
Johan.
She shall be my wife.
Rörlund.
Well, then, you shall hear——[Goes to the half-open door.] Mrs. Bernick, will you be kind enough to be a witness——And you too, Miss Martha. And bring Dina with you. [Sees Lona.] Ah, are you here, too?
Lona.
[In the doorway.] Shall I come?
Rörlund.
As many as will—the more the better.
Bernick.
What are you going to do?
Lona, Mrs. Bernick, Martha, Dina, and Hilmar Tönnesen come out of the room on the left.
Mrs. Bernick.
Doctor, nothing I can say will stop him from——
Rörlund.
I shall stop him, Mrs. Bernick.—Dina, you are a thoughtless girl. But I do not blame you very much. You have stood here too long without the moral support that should have sustained you. I blame myself for not having given you that support sooner.
Dina.
You must not speak now!
Mrs. Bernick.
What is all this?
Rörlund.
It is now that I must speak, Dina, though your conduct yesterday and to-day has made it ten times more difficult for me. But all other considerations must give place to your rescue. You remember the promise I gave you. You remember what you promised to answer, when I found that the time had come. Now I can hesitate no longer, and therefore—[To Johan Tönnesen]—I tell you that this girl, whom you are pursuing, is betrothed to me.
Mrs. Bernick.
What do you say?
Bernick.
Dina!
Johan.
She! Betrothed to——?
Martha.
No, no, Dina!
Lona.
A lie!
Johan.
Dina—does that man speak the truth?
Dina.
[After a short pause.] Yes.
Rörlund.
This, I trust, will paralyse all your arts of seduction. The step I have determined to take for Dina’s welfare may now be made known to our whole community. I hope—nay, I am sure—that it will not be misinterpreted. And now, Mrs. Bernick, I think we had better take her away from here, and try to restore her mind to peace and equilibrium.
Mrs. Bernick.
Yes, come. Oh, Dina, what happiness for you!
[She leads Dina out to the left; Doctor Rörlund goes along with them.
Martha.
Good-bye, Johan! [She goes out.
Hilmar.
[At the garden door.] H’m—well, I really must say——
Lona.
[Who has been following Dina with her eyes.] Don’t be cast down, boy! I shall stay here and look after the Pastor.
[She goes out to the right.
Bernick.
Johan, you won’t sail now with the Indian Girl.
Johan.
Now more than ever.
Bernick.
Then you will not come back again?
Johan.
I shall come back.
Bernick.
After this? What would you do after this?
Johan.
Revenge myself on the whole band of you; crush as many of you as I can.
He goes out to the right. Vigeland and Krap come from the Consul’s office.
Vigeland.
Well, the papers are in order now, Consul.
Bernick.
Good, good——
Krap.
[In a low voice.] Then it is settled that the Indian Girl is to sail to-morrow.
Bernick.
She is to sail.
He goes into his room. Vigeland and Krap go out to the right. Hilmar Tönnesen is following them, when Olaf peeps cautiously out at the door on the left.
Olaf.
Uncle! Uncle Hilmar!
Hilmar.
Ugh, is that you? Why don’t you stay upstairs? You know you are under arrest.
Olaf.
[Comes a few steps forward.] Sh! Uncle Hilmar, do you know the news?
Hilmar.
I know that you got a thrashing to-day.
Olaf.
[Looks threateningly towards his father’s room.] He sha’n’t thrash me again. But do you know that Uncle Johan is to sail to-morrow with the Americans?
Hilmar.
What’s that to you? You get upstairs again!
Olaf.
Perhaps I may go buffalo-hunting yet, uncle.
Hilmar.
Rubbish! such a young milksop as you——
Olaf.
Just wait a little; you shall hear something to-morrow!
Hilmar.
Little blockhead!
[He goes out through the garden. Olaf, catching sight of Krap, who comes from the right, runs in again and shuts the door.
Krap.
[Goes up to the Consul’s door and opens it a little.] Excuse my coming again, Consul, but it’s blowing up to a hurricane. [He waits a moment; there is no answer.] Is the Indian Girl to sail in spite of it?
[After a short pause.
Bernick.
[Answers from the office.] The Indian Girl is to sail in spite of it.
[Krap shuts the door and goes out again to the right.