Reb. (strikes Tändstickor). Oh, yes, indeed. (Lighting lamp.) Whenever we feel a little more cheerful than usual.
Kroll. You dear good people! (Wanders up the room.) I came because the Spirit of Revolt has crept into my School. A Secret Society has existed for weeks in the Lower Third! To-day it has come to my knowledge that a booby-trap was prepared for me by the hand of my own son, LAURITS, and I then discovered that a hair has been inserted in my cane by my daughter HILDA! The only way in which a right-minded Schoolmaster can combat this anarchic and subversive spirit is to start a newspaper, and I thought that you, as a weak, credulous, inexperienced and impressionable kind of man, were the very person to be the Editor.
[REB. laughs softly, as if to herself. ROSMER jumps up and sits down again.
Reb. (with a look at Rosmer). Tell him now!
Rosmer (returning the look). I can't—some other evening. Well, perhaps— (To KROLL.) I can't be your Editor—because (in a low voice) I—I am on the side of LAURITS and HILDA!
Kroll (looks from one to the other, gloomily). H'm!
Rosmer. Yes. Since we last met, I have changed my views. I am going to create a new democracy, and awaken it to its true task of making all the people of this country noblemen, by freeing their wills, and purifying their minds!
Kroll. What do you mean? [Takes up his hat.
Rosmer (bowing his head). I don't quite know, my dear friend; it was REB—I should say. Miss WEST's scheme.
Kroll. H'm! (A suspicion appears in his face.) Now I begin to believe that what BEATA said about schemes—no matter. But, under the circumstances, I will not stay to supper.