Berent. I cannot save you, least of all with money that belongs to others. What you ask me to do would be disloyalty to them.
Tjaelde. No, no! Publish my accounts openly—put me under trustees, if you like; but let me go on with the scheme that I believe will succeed! Every clear-headed man will see that it must succeed!
Berent. Come and sit down. Let us discuss it. (TJAELDE sits down.) Isn't what you are now proposing exactly what you have been trying to do for the last three years? You have been able to borrow the means; but what good has it done?
Tjaelde. Times have been so bad!
Berent (shaking his head). You have mixed up falsehood and truth for so long that you have forgotten the simplest laws of commerce. To speculate during bad times, on the chance of their becoming better, is all very well for those who can afford it. Others must leave such things alone.
Tjaelde. But it is to the advantage of my creditors themselves, and of the banks too, that my estate should hold together!
Berent. It is of no advantage to sound firms to prop up unsound ones.
Tjaelde. But, surely, to avoid losing their capital—?
Berent, Oh, perhaps in the Receiver's hands the estate may—
Tjaelde (hopefully, half rising from his chair). Yes? Well?