Bernick.
Before my fellow citizens I do not reproach myself for this; for I still believe that I may claim a place among the foremost of our men of practical usefulness.
Many Voices.
Yes, yes, yes!
Bernick.
What I do blame myself for is my weakness in constantly adopting indirect courses, because I knew and feared the tendency of our society to suspect impure motives behind everything a man undertakes. And now I come to a case in point.
Rummel.
[Anxiously.] H’m—h’m!
Bernick.
There are rumours abroad of great purchases of property along the projected line. This property I have bought—all of it—I alone.