Yes, indeed we do. What a stimulus it will give to our whole community! Think of the great tracts of forest it will bring within reach, think of all the rich mineral-seams it will allow us to work; think of the river, with its one waterfall above the other! What rare advantages for manufactures of all kinds!
Rörlund.
And you have no fear that more frequent intercourse with a depraved outer world——
Bernick.
No; make your mind easy, Doctor. Our busy little town now rests, heaven be thanked, on a sound moral foundation; we have all helped to drain it, if I may say so; and that we will continue to do, each in his own way. You, Doctor, will carry on your beneficent activity in the school and in the home. We, the practical men of business, will support society by furthering the welfare of as wide a circle as possible. And our women—yes, come nearer, ladies; I am glad that you should hear—our women, I say, our wives and daughters, will proceed unwearied in their charitable labours, and be a help and comfort to those nearest and dearest to them, as my dear Betty and Martha are to me and Olaf——[Looks around.] Why, where is Olaf to-day?
Mrs. Bernick.
Oh, in the holidays it’s impossible to keep him at home.
Bernick.
Then he’s certain to have gone down to the water again! You’ll see, this will end in a misfortune.
Hilmar.