AXEL. Not at all, but it hurts my reputation and my credit.
LINDGREN. Oh, you have credit? Then you can also give me a lift, after having brought me down.
AXEL. That is to say: you are making demands?
LINDGREN. I am only reminding you that I am one of your victims.
AXEL. Then, because of the gratitude I owe you, I shall bring these facts back to your mind: that you helped me through the university at a time when you had plenty of money; that you helped to get my thesis printed——
LINDGREN. That I taught you the methods which determined your scientific career; that I, who then was as straight as anybody, exercised a favourable influence on your slovenly tendencies; that, in a word, I made you what you are; and that, finally, when I applied for an appropriation to undertake this expedition, you stepped in and took it.
AXEL. No, I got it. Because I, and not you, was held to be the man for the task.
LINDGREN. And that settled me! Thus, one shall be taken, and the other left!—Do you think that was treating me fairly?
AXEL. It was what the world calls "ungrateful," but the task was achieved, and by it science was enriched, the honour of our country upheld, and new regions opened for the use of coming generations.
LINDGREN. Here's to you!—You have had a lot of oratorical practice—But have you any idea how unpleasant it feels to play the part of one used up and cast off?