Evje. Your own reasons? What are they?
Haakon. I had a servant once—it is about five years ago now—a good, capable fellow. He used to take potatoes for me to the distillery every day, and every evening came back drunk. So I spoke to him seriously about it; and his answer was: "How do you suppose our brandy-merchants are to grow rich, if chaps like me don't drink pretty hard?" You know the man; he went into your service afterwards. But from that day I have never sold a potato to a distillery.
Evje. But, my dear Mr. Rejn, we cannot be held responsible for the use to which such rascals put God's gifts!
Haakon. No—no—I suppose not; still, I am not going to have anything more to do with it.
Evje (to HALVDAN). Do you think your brother will not be home before the meeting?
Halvdan. I should think he would; there is plenty of time yet.
Evje. There is; but I should have liked to take him home with me first. The fact is (laughs) I have promised my wife and daughter not to go home without him. You know what women are! Shall I just go into his room and wait for him? There is something I want to talk to him about, you know.
Halvdan. I don't think there is a fire in there.
Evje. Oh, well, never mind—I will sit here. I have got a newspaper to read, and you two must go on with your talk just as if I were not here! I shall hear nothing, because I have something to read that interests me. (He pulls a chair up to the table on the right with its back to HALVDAN. HAAKON brings the lamp from the table at the back.) Ah, thank you very much! Now, just talk away as if I were not here! (Takes the paper from his pocket and sits down.)
Haakon (sitting down again beside his brother). I should have liked to go to the meeting, too.