But I know nothing of “the many,” and my life’s happiness is at stake.
Bernick.
The welfare of your native place is no less at stake. If things come to the surface which cast a slur upon my past life, all my opponents will join forces and overwhelm me. In our society a boyish error is never effaced. People will scrutinise my whole career, will rake up a thousand trifling incidents and interpret and comment upon them in the light of these disclosures. They will crush me beneath the weight of rumours and slanders. I shall have to retire from the railway board; and if I take my hand away, the whole thing will fall to pieces, and I shall have to face not only ruin but social extinction.
Lona.
Johan, after what you have heard, you must go away, and say nothing.
Bernick.
Yes, yes, Johan, you must!
Johan.
Yes, I will go away, and say nothing; but I will come back again, and then I will speak.
Bernick.