Harald. Certainly. And the only excuse I can see is that there are many more in the same case. It is only in that way that such things become possible.
Evje. I do not understand. Many more like—?—like whom?
Harald. Like you!
Mrs. Evje. In what respect?
Harald. I will explain. Most of the successful politicians nowadays have not gained their position by means of any greatness of their own, but by the pitiable weakness of others. Another age will form a different estimate of them—see them in their proper perspective, and find them to be much smaller men!
Evje. But what has that to do with us?
Harald. Well, just try to size up that man whom a little while ago you turned out of your house and afterwards sent a message to—
Evje. We sent no message to him!
Mrs. Evje. A friend of ours has gone to talk to him. That is quite a different thing!
Harald. Well, take his measure by yours and yours by his! He went away, and he will come back like a conquering hero. Will that be thanks to his greatness, or his talent—to the loftiness of his opinions or his feelings? No,—it will be thanks to your pitiable weakness.