Dina：No，Idon’twanttogowithyou；Imustgoalone。Oh，I
wouldmakesomethingofmylife；Iwouldgeton——
Bernick（speakingtoLONAandhiswifeatthefootofthegardensteps）：Waitamoment——Iwillfetchit，Bettydear；youmightsoeasilycatchcold。（Comesintotheroomandlooksforhiswife’sshawl。）
Mrs。Bernick（fromoutside）：Youmustcomeouttoo，Johan；wearegoingdowntothegrotto。
Bernick：No，IwantJohantostayhere。Lookhere，Dina；youtakemywife’sshawlandgowiththem。Johanisgoingtostayherewithme，Bettydear。Iwanttohearhowheisgettingonoverthere。
Mrs。Bernick：Verywell——thenyouwillfollowus；youknowwhereyouwillfindus。（MRS。BERNICK，LONAandDINAgooutthroughthegarden，totheleft。BERNICKlooksafterthemforamoment，thengoestothefartherdoorontheleftandlocksit，afterwhichhegoesuptoJOHAN，graspsbothhishands，andshakesthemwarmly。）
Bernick：Johan，nowthatwearealone，youmustletmethankyou。
Johan：Oh，nonsense!
Bernick：Myhomeandallthehappinessthatitmeanstome——mypositionhereasacitizen——alltheseIowetoyou。
Johan：Well，Iamgladofit，Karsten；somegoodcameofthatmadstoryafterall，then。
Bernick（graspinghishandsagain）：Butstillyoumustletmethankyou!Notoneintenthousandwouldhavedonewhatyoudidforme。
Johan：Rubbish!Weren’twe，bothofus，youngandthoughtless？
Oneofushadtotaketheblame，youknow。
Bernick：Butsurelytheguiltyonewastheproperonetodothat？
Johan：Stop!Atthemomenttheinnocentonehappenedtobetheproperonetodoit。Remember，Ihadnoties——Iwasanorphan；itwasaluckychancetogetfreefromthedrudgeryoftheoffice。
You，ontheotherhand，hadyouroldmotherstillalive；and，besidesthat，youhadjustbecomesecretlyengagedtoBetty，whowasdevotedtoyou。Whatwouldhavehappenedbetweenyouandherifithadcometoherears？
Bernick：Thatistrueenough，butstill——
Johan：Andwasn’titjustforBetty’ssakethatyoubrokeoffyouracquaintancewithMrs。Dorf？Why，itwasmerelyinordertoputanendtothewholethingthatyouwereuptherewithherthatevening。
Bernick：Yes，thatunfortunateeveningwhenthatdrunkencreaturecamehome!Yes，Johan，itwasforBetty’ssake；but，allthesame，itwassplendidofyoutoletalltheappearancesgoagainstyou，andtogoaway。
Johan：Putyourscruplestorest，mydearKarsten。Weagreedthatitshouldbeso；youhadtobesaved，andyouweremyfriend。I
cantellyou，Iwasuncommonlyproudofthatfriendship。HerewasI，drudgingawaylikeamiserablestick—in—the—mud，whenyoucamebackfromyourgrandtourabroad，agreatswellwhohadbeentoLondonandtoParis；andyouchosemeforyourchum，althoughI
wasfouryearsyoungerthanyou——itistrueitwasbecauseyouwerecourtingBetty，Iunderstandthatnow——butIwasproudofit!Whowouldnothavebeen？Whowouldnotwillinglyhavesacrificedhimselfforyou？——especiallyasitonlymeantamonth’stalkinthetown，andenabledmetogetawayintothewideworld。
Bernick：Ah，mydearJohan，Imustbecandidandtellyouthatthestoryisnotsocompletelyforgottenyet。
Johan：Isn’tit？Well，whatdoesthatmattertome，onceIambackoverthereonmyfarmagain？
Bernick：Thenyoumeantogoback？
Johan：Ofcourse。
Bernick：Butnotimmediately，Ihope？
Johan：Assoonaspossible。ItwasonlytohumourLonathatI
cameoverwithher，youknow。
Bernick：Really？Howso？
Johan：Well，yousee，Lonaisnolongeryoung，andlatelyshebegantobeobsessedwithhome—sickness；butsheneverwouldadmitit。（Smiles。）Howcouldsheventuretoriskleavingsuchaflightyfellowasmealone，whobeforeIwasnineteenhadbeenmixedupin……
Bernick：Well，whatthen？
Johan：Well，Karsten，nowIamcomingtoaconfessionthatIamashamedtomake。
Bernick：Yousurelyhaven’tconfidedthetruthtoher？
Johan：Yes。Itwaswrongofme，butIcouldnotdootherwise。YoucanhavenoconceptionwhatLonahasbeentome。Younevercouldputupwithher；butshehasbeenlikeamothertome。Thefirstyearwewereoutthere，whenthingswentsobadlywithus，youhavenoideahowsheworked!AndwhenIwasillforalongtime，andcouldearnnothingandcouldnotpreventher，shetooktosingingballadsintaverns，andgavelecturesthatpeoplelaughedat；andthenshewroteabookthatshehasbothlaughedandcriedoversincethen——alltokeepthelifeinme。CouldIlookonwheninthewintershe，whohadtoiledanddrudgedforme，begantopineaway？No，Karsten，Icouldn’t。AndsoIsaid，\"Yougohomeforatrip，Lona；don’tbeafraidforme，Iamnotsoflightyasyouthink。\"Andso——theendofitwasthatshehadtoknow。
Bernick：Andhowdidshetakeit？
Johan：Well，shethought，aswastrue，thatasIknewIwasinnocentnothingneedpreventmefromtakingatripoverherewithher。Butmakeyourmindeasy；Lonawillletnothingout，andIshallkeepmymouthshutasIdidbefore。
Bernick：Yes，yesIrelyonthat。
Johan：Hereismyhandonit。Andnowwewillsaynomoreaboutthatoldstory；luckilyitistheonlymadprankeitherofushasbeenguiltyof，Iamsure。IwantthoroughlytoenjoythefewdaysIshallstayhere。Youcannotthinkwhatadelightfulwalkwehadthismorning。Whowouldhavebelievedthatthatlittleimp，whousedtorunabouthereandplayangels’partsonthestage——!Buttellme，mydearfellow，whatbecameofherparentsafterwards？
Bernick：Oh，myboy，IcantellyounomorethanIwrotetoyouimmediatelyafteryouwentaway。Isupposeyougotmytwoletters？
Johan：Yes，yes，Ihavethemboth。Sothatdrunkenfellowdesertedher？
Bernick：Anddrankhimselftodeathafterwards。
Johan：Andshediedsoonafterwards，too？
Bernick：Shewasproud；shebetrayednothing，andwouldacceptnothing。
Johan：Well，atalleventsyoudidtherightthingbytakingDinaintoyourhouse。
Bernick：Isupposeso。AsamatteroffactitwasMarthathatbroughtthatabout。
Johan：SoitwasMartha？Bytheway，whereisshetoday？
Bernick：She？Oh，whenshehasn’therschooltolookafter，shehashersickpeopletoseeto。
Johan：SoitwasMarthawhointerestedherselfinher。
Bernick：Yes，youknowMarthahasalwayshadacertainlikingforteaching；soshetookapostintheboarding—school。Itwasveryridiculousofher。
Johan：Ithoughtshelookedverywornyesterday；Ishouldbeafraidherhealthwasnotgoodenoughforit。
Bernick：Oh，asfarasherhealthgoes，itisallrightenough。
Butitisunpleasantforme；itlooksasthoughI，herbrother，werenotwillingtosupporther。
Johan：Supporther？Ithoughtshehadmeansenoughofherown。
Bernick：Notapenny。Surelyyourememberhowbadlyoffourmotherwaswhenyouwentaway？Shecarriedthingsonforatimewithmyassistance，butnaturallyIcouldnotputupwiththatstateofaffairspermanently。Imadehertakemeintothefirm，buteventhenthingsdidnotgowell。SoIhadtotakeoverthewholebusinessmyself，andwhenwemadeupourbalance—sheet，itbecameevidentthattherewaspracticallynothingleftasmymother’sshare。Andwhenmotherdiedsoonafterwards，ofcourseMarthawasleftpenniless。
Johan：PoorMartha!
Bernick：Poor!Why？YousurelydonotsupposeIletherwantforanything？No，IventuretosayIamagoodbrother。Ofcourseshehasahomeherewithus；hersalaryasateacherismorethanenoughforhertodresson；whatmorecouldshewant？
Johan：Hm——thatisnotourideaofthingsinAmerica。
Bernick：No，Idaresaynot——insucharevolutionarystateofsocietyasyoufindthere。Butinoursmallcircle——inwhich，thankGod，depravityhasnotgainedafooting，uptonowatallevents——womenarecontenttooccupyaseemly，aswellasmodest，position。Moreover，itisMartha’sownfault；Imean，shemighthavebeenprovidedforlongago，ifshehadwished。
Johan：Youmeanshemighthavemarried？
Bernick：Yes，andmarriedverywell，too。Shehashadseveralgoodoffers——curiouslyenough，whenyouthinkthatsheisapoorgirl，nolongeryoung，and，besides，quiteaninsignificantperson。
Johan：Insignificant？
Bernick：Oh，Iamnotblamingherforthat。Imostcertainlywouldnotwishherotherwise。Icantellyouitisalwaysagoodthingtohaveasteady—goingpersonlikethatinabighouselikethis——someoneyoucanrelyoninanycontingency。
Johan：Yes，butwhatdoesshe——？
Bernick：She？How？Ohwell，ofcourseshehasplentytointerestherselfin；shehasBettyandOlafandme。Peopleshouldnotthinkfirstofthemselves——womenleastofall。Wehaveallgotsomecommunity，greatorsmall，toworkfor。Thatismyprinciple，atallevents。（PointstoKRAP，whohascomeinfromtheright。）Ah，hereisanexampleofit，readytohand。Doyousupposethatitismyownaffairsthatareabsorbingmejustnow？
Bynomeans。（EagerlytoKRAP。）Well？
Krap（inanundertone，showinghimabundleofpapers）：Hereareallthesalecontracts，completed。
Bernick：Capital!Splendid!——Well，Johan，youmustreallyexcusemeforthepresent。（Inalowvoice，graspinghishand。）Thanks，Johan，thanks!AndrestassuredthatanythingIcandoforyou——
Well，ofcourseyouunderstand。Comealong，Krap。（TheygointoBERNICK’Sroom。）
Johan（lookingafterthemforamoment）：Hm!——（Turnstogodowntothegarden。AtthesamemomentMARTHAcomesinfromtheright，withalittlebasketoverherarm。）Martha!
Martha：Ah，Johan——isityou？
Johan：Outsoearly？
Martha：Yes。Waitamoment；theothersarejustcoming。（Movestowardsthedoorontheleft。）
Johan：Martha，areyoualwaysinsuchahurry？
Martha：I？
Johan：Yesterdayyouseemedtoavoidme，sothatInevermanagedtohaveawordwithyou——wetwooldplayfellows。
Martha：Ah，Johan；thatismany，manyyearsago。
Johan：GoodLord——why，itisonlyfifteenyearsago，nomoreandnoless。DoyouthinkIhavechangedsomuch？
Martha：You？Ohyes，youhavechangedtoo，although——
Johan：Whatdoyoumean？
Martha：Oh，nothing。
Johan：Youdonotseemtobeverygladtoseemeagain。
Martha：Ihavewaitedsolong，Johan——toolong。
Johan：Waited？Formetocome？
Martha：Yes。
Johan。AndwhydidyouthinkIwouldcome？
Martha：Toatoneforthewrongyouhaddone。
Johan：I？
Martha：Haveyouforgottenthatitwasthroughyouthatawomandiedinneedandinshame？Haveyouforgottenthatitwasthroughyouthatthebestyearsofayounggirl’slifewereembittered？
Johan：Andyoucansaysuchthingstome？Martha，hasyourbrothernever——？
Martha：Neverwhat？
Johan：Hashenever——oh，ofcourse，Imeanhasheneversomuchassaidawordinmydefence？
Martha：Ah，Johan，youknowKarsten’shighprinciples。
Johan：Hm——!Oh，ofcourse；IknowmyoldfriendKarsten’shighprinciples!Butreallythisis——。Well，well。Iwashavingatalkwithhimjustnow。Heseemstometohavealteredconsiderably。
Martha：Howcanyousaythat？IamsureKarstenhasalwaysbeenanexcellentman。
Johan：Yes，thatwasnotexactlywhatImeant——butnevermind。
Hm!NowIunderstandthelightyouhaveseenmein；itwasthereturnoftheprodigalthatyouwerewaitingfor。
Martha：Johan，IwilltellyouwhatlightIhaveseenyouin。
（Pointsdowntothegarden。）DoyouseethatgirlplayingonthegrassdowntherewithOlaf？ThatisDina。Doyourememberthatincoherentletteryouwrotemewhenyouwentaway？Youaskedmetobelieveinyou。Ihavebelievedinyou，Johan。Allthehorriblethingsthatwererumouredaboutyouafteryouhadgonemusthavebeendonethroughbeingledastray——fromthoughtlessness，withoutpremeditation。
Johan：Whatdoyoumean？
Martha：Oh!youunderstandmewellenough——notawordmoreofthat。Butofcourseyouhadtogoawayandbeginafresh——anewlife。Yourdutiesherewhichyouneverrememberedtoundertake——
orneverwereabletoundertake——Ihaveundertakenforyou。I
tellyouthis，sothatyoushallnothavethatalsotoreproachyourselfwith。Ihavebeenamothertothatmuch—wrongedchild；I
havebroughtherupaswellasIwasable。
Johan：Andhavewastedyourwholelifeforthatreason。
Martha：Ithasnotbeenwasted。Butyouhavecomelate，Johan。
Johan：Martha——ifonlyIcouldtellyou——。Well，atalleventsletmethankyouforyourloyalfriendship。
Martha（withasadsmile）：Hm。——Well，wehavehaditoutnow，Johan。Hush，someoneiscoming。Goodbye，Ican’tstaynow。（Goesoutthroughthefartherdoorontheleft。LONAcomesinfromthegarden，followedbyMRS。BERNICK。）
Mrs。Bernick：Butgoodgracious，Lona——whatareyouthinkingof？
Lona：Letmebe，Itellyou!Imustandwillspeaktohim。
Mrs。Bernick：Butitwouldbeascandaloftheworstsort!Ah，Johan——stillhere？
Lona：Outwithyou，myboy；don’tstayhereindoors；godownintothegardenandhaveachatwithDina。
Johan：Iwasjustthinkingofdoingso。
Mrs。Bernick：But——
Lona：Lookhere，Johan——haveyouhadagoodlookatDina？
Johan：Ishouldthinkso!
Lona：Well，lookathertosomepurpose，myboy。Thatwouldbesomebodyforyou!
Mrs。Bernick：But，Lona!
Johan：Somebodyforme？
Lona：Yes，tolookat，Imean。Beoffwithyou!
Johan：Oh，Idon’tneedanypressing。（Goesdownintothegarden。）
Mrs。Bernick：Lona，youastoundme!Youcannotpossiblybeseriousaboutit？
Lona：IndeedIam。Isn’tshesweetandhealthyandhonest？SheisexactlythewifeforJohan。Sheisjustwhatheneedsoverthere；
itwillbeachangefromanoldstep—sister。
Mrs。Bernick：Dina？DinaDorf？Butthink——
Lona：Ithinkfirstandforemostoftheboy’shappiness。Because，helphimImust；hehasnotmuchideaofthatsortofthing；hehasneverhadmuchofaneyeforgirlsorwomen。
Mrs。Bernick：He？Johan？IndeedIthinkwehavehadonlytoosadproofsthat——
Lona：Oh，deviltakeallthosestupidstories!WhereisKarsten？
Imeantospeaktohim。
Mrs。Bernick：Lona，youmustnotdoit，Itellyou。
Lona：Iamgoingto。Iftheboytakesafancytoher——andshetohim——thentheyshallmakeamatchofit。Karstenissuchacleverman，hemustfindsomewaytobringitabout。
Mrs。Bernick：AnddoyouthinktheseAmericanindecencieswillbepermittedhere？
Lona：Bosh，Betty!
Mrs。Bernick：DoyouthinkamanlikeKarsten，withhisstrictlymoralwayofthinking——
Lona：Pooh!heisnotsoterriblymoral。
Mrs。Bernick：Whathaveyoutheaudacitytosay？
Lona：IhavetheaudacitytosaythatKarstenisnotanymoreparticularlymoralthananybodyelse。
Mrs。Bernick：Soyoustillhatehimasdeeplyasthat!Butwhatareyoudoinghere，ifyouhaveneverbeenabletoforgetthat？I
cannotunderstandhowyou，darelookhiminthefaceaftertheshamefulinsultyouputuponhimintheolddays。
Lona：Yes，Betty，thattimeIdidforgetmyselfbadly。
Mrs。Bernick：Andtothinkhowmagnanimouslyhehasforgivenyou——he，whohadneverdoneanywrong!Itwasnothisfaultthatyouencouragedyourselfwithhopes。Butsincethenyouhavealwayshatedmetoo。（Burstsintotears。）Youhavealwaysbegrudgedmemygoodfortune。Andnowyoucomeheretoheapallthisonmyhead——toletthewholetownknowwhatsortofafamilyIhavebroughtKarsteninto。Yes，itismethatitallfallsupon，andthatiswhatyouwant。Oh，itisabominableofyou!（Goesoutbythedoorontheleft，intears。）
Lona（lookingafterher）：PoorBetty!（BERNICKcomesinfromhisroom。HestopsatthedoortospeaktoKRAP。）
Bernick：Yes，thatisexcellent，Krap——capital!Sendtwentypoundstothefundfordinnerstothepoor。（Turnsround。）Lona!（Comesforward。）Areyoualone？IsBettynotcomingin？
Lona：No。Wouldyoulikemetocallher？
Bernick：No，no——notatall。Oh，Lona，youdon’tknowhowanxiousIhavebeentospeakopenlytoyou——afterhavingbeggedforyourforgiveness。
Lona：Lookhere，Karsten——donotletusbesentimental；itdoesn’tsuitus。
Bernick：Youmustlistentome，Lona。Iknowonlytoowellhowmuchappearancesareagainstme，asyouhavelearntallaboutthataffairwithDina’smother。ButIsweartoyouthatitwasonlyatemporaryinfatuation；Iwasreally，trulyandhonestly，inlovewithyouonce。
Lona：WhydoyouthinkIhavecomehome？
Bernick：Whateveryouhaveinyourmind，Ientreat，youtodonothinguntilIhaveexculpatedmyself。Icandothat，Lona；atalleventsIcanexcusemyself。
Lona：Nowyouarefrightened。Youoncewereinlovewithme，yousay。Yes，youtoldmethatoftenenoughinyourletters；andperhapsitwastrue，too——inaway——aslongasyouwerelivingoutinthegreat，freeworldwhichgaveyouthecouragetothinkfreelyandgreatly。Perhapsyoufoundinmealittlemorecharacterandstrengthofwillandindependencethaninmostofthefolkathomehere。Andthenwekeptitsecretbetweenus；
nobodycouldmakefunofyourbadtaste。
Bernick：Lona，howcanyouthink——？
Lona：Butwhenyoucameback——whenyouheardthegibesthatweremadeatmeonallsides——whenyounoticedhowpeoplelaughedatwhattheycalledmyabsurdities……
Bernick：Youwereregardlessofpeople’sopinionatthattime。
Lona：Chieflytoannoythepetticoatedandtrouseredprudesthatonemetateveryturninthetown。Andthen，whenyoumetthatseductiveyoungactress——
Bernick：Itwasaboyishescapade——nothingmore；Isweartoyouthattherewasnotruthinatenthpartoftherumoursandgossipthatwentabout。
Lona：Maybe。Butthen，whenBettycamehome——aprettyyounggirl，idolisedbyeveryone——anditbecameknownthatshewouldinheritallheraunt’smoneyandthatIwouldhavenothing!
Bernick：Thatisjustthepoint，Lona；andnowyoushallhavethetruthwithoutanybeatingaboutthebush。IdidnotloveBettythen；Ididnotbreakoffmyengagementwithyoubecauseofanynewattachment。Itwasentirelyforthesakeofthemoney。I
neededit；Ihadtomakesureofit。
Lona：Andyouhavethefacetotellmethat？
Bernick：Yes，Ihave。Listen，Lona。
Lona：AndyetyouwrotetomethatanunconquerablepassionforBettyhadovercomeyou——invokedmymagnanimity——beggedme，forBetty’ssake，toholdmytongueaboutallthathadbeenbetweenus。
Bernick：Ihadto，Itellyou。
Lona：Now，byHeaven，Idon’tregretthatIforgotmyselfasI
didthattime——
Bernick：Letmetellyoutheplaintruthofhowthingsstoodwithmethen。Mymother，asyouremember，wasattheheadofthebusiness，butshewasabsolutelywithoutanybusinessabilitywhatever。IwashurriedlysummonedhomefromParis；timeswerecritical，andtheyreliedonmetosetthingsstraight。WhatdidIfind？Ifound——andyoumustkeepthisaprofoundsecret——ahouseonthebrinkofruin。Yes——asgoodasonthebrinkofruin，thisoldrespectedhousewhichhadseenthreegenerationsofus。
WhatelsecouldI——theson，theonlyson——dothanlookaboutforsomemeansofsavingit？
Lona：AndsoyousavedthehouseofBernickatthecostofawoman。
Bernick：YouknowquitewellthatBettywasinlovewithme。
Lona：Butwhataboutme？
Bernick：Believeme，Lona，youwouldneverhavebeenhappywithme。
Lona：Wasitoutofconsiderationformyhappinessthatyousacrificedme？
Bernick：DoyousupposeIactedasIdidfromselfishmotives？IfIhadstoodalonethen，Iwouldhavebegunalloveragainwithcheerfulcourage。Butyoudonotunderstandhowthelifeofamanofbusiness，withhistremendousresponsibilities，isboundupwiththatofthebusinesswhichfallstohisinheritance。Doyourealisethattheprosperityortheruinofhundreds——ofthousands——dependsonhim？CanyounottakeintoconsiderationthefactthatthewholecommunityinwhichbothyouandIwerebornwouldhavebeenaffectedtothemostdangerousextentifthehouseofBernickhadgonetosmash？
Lon：Thenisitforthesakeofthecommunitythatyouhavemaintainedyourpositionthesefifteenyearsuponalie？
Bernick：Uponalie？
Lona：WhatdoesBettyknowofallthis……thatunderliesherunionwithyou？
Bernick：DoyousupposethatIwouldhurtherfeelingstonopurposebydisclosingthetruth？
Lona：Tonopurpose，yousay？Well，well——Youareamanofbusiness；yououghttounderstandwhatistothepurpose。Butlistentome，Karsten——Iamgoingtospeaktheplaintruthnow。
Tellme，areyoureallyhappy？
Bernick：Inmyfamilylife，doyoumean？
Lona：Yes。
Bernick：Iam，Lona。Youhavenotbeenaself—sacrificingfriendtomeinvain。IcanhonestlysaythatIhavegrownhappiereveryyear。Bettyisgoodandwilling；andifIweretotellyouhow，inthecourseofyears，shehaslearnedtomodelhercharacteronthelinesofmyown——
Lona：Hm!
Bernick：Atfirst，ofcourse，shehadawholelotofromanticnotionsaboutlove；shecouldnotreconcileherselftotheideathat，littlebylittle，itmustchangeintoaquietcomradeship。
Lona：Butnowsheisquitereconciledtothat？
Bernick：Absolutely。Asyoucanimagine，dailyintercoursewithmehashadnosmallshareindevelopinghercharacter。Everyone，intheirdegree，hastolearntolowertheirownpretensions，iftheyaretoliveworthilyofthecommunitytowhichtheybelong。
AndBetty，inherturn，hasgraduallylearnedtounderstandthis；
andthatiswhyourhomeisnowamodeltoourfellowcitizens。
Lona：Butyourfellowcitizensknownothingaboutthelie？
Bernick：Thelie？
Lona：Yes——thelieyouhavepersistedinforthesefifteenyears。
Bernick：Doyoumeantosaythatyoucallthat——？
Lona：Icallitalie——athreefoldlie：firstofall，thereisthelietowardsme；then，thelietowardsBetty；andthen，thelietowardsJohan。
Bernick：Bettyhasneveraskedmetospeak。
Lona：Becauseshehasknownnothing。
Bernick：Andyouwillnotdemandit——outofconsiderationforher。
Lona：Oh，no——Ishallmanagetoputupwiththeirgibeswellenough；Ihavebroadshoulders。
Bernick：AndJohanwillnotdemanditeither；hehaspromisedmethat。
Lona：Butyouyourself，Karsten？Doyoufeelwithinyourselfnoimpulseurgingyoutoshakeyourselffreeofthislie？
Bernick：DoyousupposethatofmyownfreewillIwouldsacrificemyfamilyhappinessandmypositionintheworld？
Lona：Whatrighthaveyoutothepositionyouhold？
Bernick：EverydayduringthesefifteenyearsIhaveearnedsomelittlerighttoit——bymyconduct，andbywhatIhaveachievedbymywork。
Lona：True，youhaveachievedagreatdealbyyourwork，foryourselfaswellasforothers。Youaretherichestandmostinfluentialmaninthetown；nobodyinitdaresdootherwisethandefertoyourwill，becauseyouarelookeduponasamanwithoutspotorblemish；yourhomeisregardedasamodelhome，andyourconductasamodelofconduct。Butallthisgrandeur，andyouwithit，isfoundedonatreacherousmorass。Amomentmaycomeandawordmaybespoken，whenyouandallyourgrandeurwillbeengulfedinthemorass，ifyoudonotsaveyourselfintime。
Bernick：Lona——whatisyourobjectincominghere？
Lona：Iwanttohelpyoutogetfirmgroundunderyourfeet，Karsten。
Bernick：Revenge!——youwanttorevengeyourself!Isuspectedit。
Butyouwon’tsucceed!Thereisonlyonepersonherethatcanspeakwithauthority，andhewillbesilent。
Lona：YoumeanJohan？
Bernick：Yes，Johan。Ifanyoneelseaccusesme，Ishalldenyeverything。Ifanyonetriestocrushme，Ishallfightformylife。Butyouwillneversucceedinthat，letmetellyou!Theonewhocouldstrikemedownwillsaynothing——andisgoingaway。
（RUMMELandVIGELANDcomeinfromtheright。）
Rummel：Goodmorning，mydearBernick，goodmorning。YoumustcomeupwithustotheCommercialAssociation。Thereisameetingabouttherailwayscheme，youknow。
Bernick：Icannot。Itisimpossiblejustnow。
Vigeland：Youreallymust，Mr。Bernick。
Rummel：Bernick，youmust。Thereisanoppositiontousonfoot。
Hammer，andtherestofthosewhobelieveinalinealongthecoast，aredeclaringthatprivateinterestsareatthebackofthenewproposals。
Bernick：Wellthen，explaintothem——
Vigeland：Ourexplanationshavenoeffect，Mr。Bernick。
Rummel：No，no，youmustcomeyourself。Naturally，noonewoulddaretosuspectyouofsuchduplicity。
Lona：Ishouldthinknot。
Bernick：Icannot，Itellyou；Iamnotwell。Or，atallevents，wait——letmepullmyselftogether。（RORLUNDcomesinfromtheright。）
Rorlund：Excuseme，Mr。Bernick，butIamterriblyupset。
Bernick：Why，whatisthematterwithyou？
Rorlund。Imustputaquestiontoyou，Mr。Bernick。Isitwithyourconsentthattheyounggirlwhohasfoundashelterunderyourroofshowsherselfintheopenstreetinthecompanyofapersonwho——
Lona：Whatperson，Mr。Parson？
Rorlund：Withthepersonfromwhom，ofallothersintheworld，sheoughttobekeptfarthestapart!
Lona：Ha!ha!
Rorlund：Isitwithyourconsent，Mr。Bernick？
Bernick（lookingforhishatandgloves）。Iknownothingaboutit。Youmustexcuseme；Iaminagreathurry。IamdueattheCommercialAssociation。
（HILMARcomesupfromthegardenandgoesovertothefartherdoorontheleft。）
Hilmar：Betty——Betty，Iwanttospeaktoyou。
Mrs。Bernick（comingtothedoor）：Whatisit？
Hilmar：YououghttogodownintothegardenandputastoptotheflirtationthatisgoingonbetweenacertainpersonandDinaDorf!Ithasquitegotonmynervestolistentothem。
Lona：Indeed!Andwhathasthecertainpersonbeensaying？
Hilmar：Oh，onlythathewishesshewouldgoofftoAmericawithhim。Ugh!
Rorlund：Isitpossible？
Mrs。Bernick：Whatdoyousay？
Lona：Butthatwouldbeperfectlysplendid!
Bernick：Impossible!Youcannothaveheardright。
Hilmar：Askhimyourself，then。Herecomesthepairofthem。
Only，leavemeoutofit，please。
Bernick（toRUMMELandVIGELAND）：Iwillfollowyou——inamoment。
（RUMMELandVIGELANDgoouttotheright。JOHANandDINAcomeupfromthegarden。）
Johan：Hurrah，Lona，sheisgoingwithus!
Mrs。Bernick：But，Johan——areyououtofyoursenses？
Rorlund：CanIbelievemyears!Suchanatrociousscandal!Bywhatartsofseductionhaveyou——？
Johan：Come，come，sir——whatareyousaying？
Rorlund：Answerme，Dina；doyoumeantodothis——entirelyofyourownfreewill？
Dina：Imustgetawayfromhere。
Rorlund：Butwithhim!——withhim!
Dina：Canyoutellmeofanyoneelseherewhowouldhavethecouragetotakemewithhim？
Rorlund：Verywell，then——youshalllearnwhoheis。
Johan：Donotspeak!
Bernick：Notawordmore!
Rorlund：IfIdidnot，IshouldbeunworthytoserveacommunityofwhosemoralsIhavebeenappointedaguardian，andshouldbeactingmostunjustifiablytowardsthisyounggirl，inwhoseupbringingIhavetakenamaterialpart，andwhoistome——
Johan：Takecarewhatyouaredoing!
Rorlund：Sheshallknow!Dina，thisisthemanwhowasthecauseofallyourmother’smiseryandshame。
Bernick：Mr。Rorlund——？
Dina：He!（TOJOHAN。）Isthistrue？
Johan：Karsten，youanswer。
Bernick：Notawordmore!Donotletussayanotherwordaboutittoday。
Dina：Thenitistrue。
Rorlund：Yes，itistrue。Andmorethanthat，thisfellow——whomyouweregoingtotrust——didnotrunawayfromhomeempty—handed；
askhimaboutoldMrs。Bernick’scash—box……Mr。Bernickcanbearwitnesstothat!
Lona：LiarBernick：Ah!
Mrs。Bernick：MyGod!myGod!
Johan（rushingatRORLUNDwithupliftedarm）：Andyoudareto——
Lona（restraininghim）：Donotstrikehim，Johan!
Rorlund：Thatisright，assaultme!Butthetruthwillout；anditisthetruth——Mr。Bernickhasadmittedit——andthewholetownknowsit。Now，Dina，youknowhim。（Ashortsilence。）
Johan（softly，graspingBERNICKbythearm）：Karsten，Karsten，whathaveyoudone？
Mrs。Bernick（intears）：Oh，Karsten，tothinkthatIshouldhavemixedyouupinallthisdisgrace!
Sandstad（cominginhurriedlyfromtheright，andcallingout，withhishandstillonthedoor—handle）：Youpositivelymustcomenow，Mr。Bernick。Thefateofthewholerailwayishangingbyathread。
Bernick（abstractedly）：Whatisit？WhathaveIto——
Lona（earnestlyandwithemphasis）：Youhavetogoandbeapillarofsociety，brother—in—law。
Sandstad：Yes，comealong；weneedthefullweightofyourmoralexcellenceonourside。
Johan（aside，toBERNICK）：Karsten，wewillhaveatalkaboutthistomorrow。（Goesoutthroughthegarden。BERNICK，lookinghalfdazed，goesouttotherightwithSANDSTAD。）
ACTIII
（SCENE——Thesameroom。BERNICK，withacaneinhishandandevidentlyinagreatrage，comesoutofthefartherroomontheleft，leavingthedoorhalf—openbehindhim。）
Bernick（speakingtohiswife，whoisintheotherroom）：There!
Ihavegivenithiminearnestnow；Idon’tthinkhewillforgetthatthrashing!Whatdoyousay？——AndIsaythatyouareaninjudiciousmother!Youmakeexcusesforhim，andcountenanceanysortofrascalityonhispart——Notrascality？Whatdoyoucallit，then？Slippingoutofthehouseatnight，goingoutinafishingboat，stayingawaytillwellonintheday，andgivingmesuchahorriblefrightwhenIhavesomuchtoworryme!Andthentheyoungscamphastheaudacitytothreatenthathewillrunaway!Justlethimtryit!——You？No，verylikely；youdon’ttroubleyourselfmuchaboutwhathappenstohim。Ireallybelievethatifheweretogetkilled——!Oh，really？Well，Ihaveworktoleavebehindmeintheworld；Ihavenofancyforbeingleftchildless——Now，donotraiseobjections，Betty；itshallbeasI
say——heisconfinedtothehouse。（Listens。）Hush；donotletanyonenoticeanything。（KRAPcomesinfromtheright。）
Krap：Canyousparemeamoment，Mr。Bernick？
Bernick（throwingawaythecane）：Certainly，certainly。Haveyoucomefromtheyard？
Krap：Yes。Ahem——!
Bernick：Well？Nothingwrongwiththe\"PalmTree，\"Ihope？
Krap：The\"PalmTree\"cansailtomorrow，butBernick：Itisthe\"IndianGirl，\"then？Ihadasuspicionthatthatobstinatefellow——
Krap：The\"IndianGirl\"cansailtomorrow，too；butIamsureshewillnotgetveryfar。
Bernick：Whatdoyoumean？
Krap：Excuseme，sir；thatdoorisstandingajar，andIthinkthereissomeoneintheotherroom——
Bernick（shuttingthedoor）：There，then!Butwhatisthisthatnooneelsemusthear？
Krap：Justthis——thatIbelieveAuneintendstoletthe\"IndianGirl\"gotothebottomwitheverymother’ssononboard。
Bernick：GoodGod!——whatmakesyouthinkthat？
Krap：Icannotaccountforitanyotherway，sir。
Bernick：Well，tellmeasbrieflyasyoucanKrap：Iwill。Youknowyourselfhowslowlytheworkhasgoneonintheyardsincewegotthenewmachinesandthenewinexperiencedhands？
Bernick：Yes，yes。
Krap：Butthismorning，whenIwentdownthere，InoticedthattherepairstotheAmericanboathadmadeextraordinaryprogress；
thegreatholeinthebottom——therottenpatch，youknow——
Bernick：Yes，yes——whataboutit？
Krap：Wascompletelyrepaired——toallappearanceatanyrate，coveredup——lookedasgoodasnew。IheardthatAunehimselfhadbeenworkingatitbylanternlightthewholenight。
Bernick：Yes，yes——well？
Krap：Iturneditoverinmyheadforabit；thehandswereawayattheirbreakfast，soIfoundanopportunitytohavealookaroundtheboat，bothoutsideandin，withoutanyoneseeingme。
Ihadajobtogetdowntothebottomthroughthecargo，butI
learnedthetruth。Thereissomethingverysuspiciousgoingon，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Icannotbelieveit，Krap。IcannotandwillnotbelievesuchathingofAune。
Krap：Iamverysorry——butitisthesimpletruth。Somethingverysuspiciousisgoingon。Nonewtimbersputin，asfarasIcouldsee，onlystoppedupandtinkeredat，andcoveredoverwithsailclothandtarpaulinsandthatsortofthing——anabsolutefraud。The\"IndianGirl\"willnevergettoNewYork；shewillgotothebottomlikeacrackedpot。
Bernick：Thisismosthorrible!Butwhatcanbehisobject，doyousuppose？
Krap：Probablyhewantstobringthemachinesintodiscredit——
wantstotakehisrevenge——wantstoforceyoutotaketheoldhandsonagain。
Bernick：Andtodothisheiswillingtosacrificethelivesofallonboard。
Krap：Hesaidtheotherdaythattherewerenomenonboardthe\"IndianGirl\"——onlywildbeasts。
Bernick：Yes，but——apartfromthat——hashenoregardforthegreatlossofcapitalitwouldmean？
Krap：Aunedoesnotlookuponcapitalwithaveryfriendlyeye，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Thatisperfectlytrue；heisanagitatorandafomenterofdiscontent；butsuchanunscrupulousthingasthis——Lookhere，Krap；youmustlookintothematteroncemore。Notawordofittoanyone。Theblamewillfallonouryardifanyonehearsanythingofit。
Krap：Ofcourse，but——
Bernick：Whenthehandsareawayattheirdinneryoumustmanagetogetdownthereagain；Imusthaveabsolutecertaintyaboutit。
Krap：Youshall，sir；but，excuseme，whatdoyouproposetodo？
Bernick：Reporttheaffair，naturally。Wecannot，ofcourse，letourselvesbecomeaccomplicesinsuchacrime。Icouldnothavesuchathingonmyconscience。Moreover，itwillmakeagoodimpression，bothonthepressandonthepublicingeneral，ifitisseenthatIsetallpersonalinterestsasideandletjusticetakeitscourse。
Krap：Quitetrue，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：ButfirstofallImustbeabsolutelycertain。Andmeanwhile，donotbreatheawordofit。
Krap：Notaword，sir。Andyoushallhaveyourcertainty。（Goesoutthroughthegardenanddownthestreet。）
Bernick（halfaloud）：Shocking!——Butno，itisimpossible!
Inconceivable!
（Asheturnstogointohisroom，HILMARcomesinfromtheright。）
Hilmar：Goodmorning，Karsten。LetmecongratulateyouonyourtriumphattheCommercialAssociationyesterday。
Bernick：Thankyou。
Hilmar：Itwasabrillianttriumph，Ihear；thetriumphofintelligentpublicspiritoverselfishnessandprejudice——
somethinglikearaidofFrenchtroopsontheKabyles。Itisastonishingthatafterthatunpleasantscenehere，youcould——
Bernick：Yes，yes——quiteso。
Hilmar：Butthedecisivebattlehasnotbeenfoughtyet。
Bernick：Inthematteroftherailway，doyoumean？
Hilmar：Yes；IsupposeyouknowthetroublethatHammerisbrewing？
Bernick（anxiously）：No，whatisthat？
Hilmar：Oh，heisgreatlytakenupwiththerumourthatisgoingaround，andispreparingtodishupanarticleaboutit。
Bernick：Whatrumour？
Hilmar：Abouttheextensivepurchaseofpropertyalongthebranchline，ofcourse。
Bernick：What？Istheresucharumourasthatgoingabout？
Hilmar：Itisalloverthetown。IhearditattheclubwhenI
lookedinthere。Theysaythatoneofourlawyershasquietlyboughtup，oncommission，alltheforestland，alltheminingland，allthewaterfalls——
Bernick：Don’ttheysaywhomitwasfor？
Hilmar：Attheclubtheythoughtitmustbeforsomecompany，notconnectedwiththistown，thathasgotahintoftheschemeyouhaveinhand，andhasmadehastetobuybeforethepriceofthesepropertieswentup。Isn’titvillainous？——ugh!
Bernick：Villainous？
Hilmar：Yes，tohavestrangersputtingtheirfingersintoourpie——andoneofourownlocallawyerslendinghimselftosuchathing!Andnowitwillbeoutsidersthatwillgetalltheprofits!
Bernick：But，afterall，itisonlyanidlerumour。
Hilmar：Meanwhilepeoplearebelievingit，andtomorroworthenextday，IhavenodoubtHammerwillnailittothecounterasafact。
Thereisageneralsenseofexasperationinthetownalready。I
heardseveralpeoplesaythatiftherumourwereconfirmedtheywouldtaketheirnamesoffthesubscriptionlists。
Bernick：Impossible!
Hilmar：Isit？Whydoyousupposethesemercenary—mindedcreaturesweresowillingtogointotheundertakingwithyou？
Don’tyousupposetheyhavescentedprofitforthemselves——
Bernick：Itisimpossible，Iamsure；thereissomuchpublicspiritinourlittlecommunity——
Hilmar：Inourcommunity？Ofcourseyouareaconfirmedoptimist，andsoyoujudgeothersbyyourself。ButI，whoamatolerablyexperiencedobserver——!Thereisn’tasinglesoulintheplace——
exceptingourselves，ofcourse——notasinglesoulintheplacewhoholdsupthebanneroftheIdeal。（Goestowardstheverandah。）Ugh，Icanseethemthere——
Bernick：Seewhom？
Hilmar：OurtwofriendsfromAmerica。（Looksouttotheright。）
Andwhoisthattheyarewalkingwith？AsIamalive，ifitisnotthecaptainofthe\"IndianGirl。\"Ugh!
Bernick：Whatcantheywantwithhim？
Hilmar。Oh，heisjusttherightcompanyforthem。Helooksasifhehadbeenaslave—dealerorapirate；andwhoknowswhattheothertwomayhavebeendoingalltheseyears。
Bernick：Letmetellyouthatitisgrosslyunjusttothinksuchthingsaboutthem。
Hilmar：Yes——youareanoptimist。Butheretheyare，bearingdownuponusagain；soIwillgetawaywhilethereistime。（Goestowardsthedoorontheleft。LONAcomesinfromtheright。）
Lona：Oh，Hilmar，amIdrivingyouaway？
Hilmar：Notatall；Iaminratherahurry；IwanttohaveawordwithBetty。（Goesintothefarthestroomontheleft。）
Bernick（afteramoment’ssilence）：Well，Lona？
Lona：Yes？
Bernick：Whatdoyouthinkofmetoday？
Lona：ThesameasIdidyesterday。Aliemoreorless——
Bernick：Imustenlightenyouaboutit。WherehasJohangone？
Lona：Heiscoming；hehadtoseeamanfirst。
Bernick：Afterwhatyouheardyesterday，youwillunderstandthatmywholelifewillberuinedifthetruthcomestolight。
Lona：Icanunderstandthat。
Bernick：Ofcourse，itstandstoreasonthatIwasnotguiltyofthecrimetherewassomuchtalkabouthere。
Lona：Thatstandstoreason。Butwhowasthethief？
Bernick：Therewasnothief。Therewasnomoneystolen——notapenny。
Lona：Howisthat？
Bernick：Notapenny，Itellyou。
Lona：Butthoserumours？HowdidthatshamefulrumourgetaboutthatJohan——
Bernick：Lona，IthinkIcanspeaktoyouasIcouldtonooneelse。Iwillconcealnothingfromyou。Iwaspartlytoblameforspreadingtherumour。
Lona：You？Youcouldactinthatwaytowardsamanwhoforyoursake——!
Bernick：Donotcondemnmewithoutbearinginmindhowthingsstoodatthattime。Itoldyouaboutityesterday。Icamehomeandfoundmymotherinvolvedinameshofinjudiciousundertakings；wehadallmannerofbadluck——itseemedasifmisfortuneswereraininguponus，andourhousewasonthevergeofruin。Iwashalfrecklessandhalfindespair。Lona，IbelieveitwasmainlytodeadenmythoughtsthatIletmyselfdriftintothatentanglementthatendedinJohan’sgoingaway。
Lona：Hm——
Bernick：Youcanwellimaginehoweverykindofrumourwassetonfootafteryouandhehadgone。Peoplebegantosaythatitwasnothisfirstpieceoffolly——thatDorfhadreceivedalargesumofmoneytoholdhistongueandgoaway；otherpeoplesaidthatshehadreceivedit。Atthesametimeitwasobviousthatourhousewasfindingitdifficulttomeetitsobligations。Whatwasmorenaturalthanthatscandal—mongersshouldfindsomeconnectionbetweenthesetworumours？Andasthewomanremainedhere，livinginpoverty，peopledeclaredthathehadtakenthemoneywithhimtoAmerica；andeverytimerumourmentionedthesum，itgrewlarger。
Lona：Andyou，Karsten——？
Bernick：Igraspedattherumourlikeadrowningmanatastraw。
Lona：Youhelpedtospreadit？
Bernick：Ididnotcontradictit。Ourcreditorshadbeguntobepressing，andIhadthetaskofkeepingthemquiet。Theresultwasthedissipatingofanysuspicionastothestabilityofthefirm；peoplesaidthatwehadbeenhitbyatemporarypieceofill—luck——thatallthatwasnecessarywasthattheyshouldnotpressus——onlygiveustimeandeverycreditorwouldbepaidinfull。
Lona：Andeverycreditorwaspaidinfull？
Bernick：Yes，Lona，thatrumoursavedourhouseandmademethemanInowam。
Lona：Thatistosay，aliehasmadeyouthemanyounoware。
Bernick：Whomdiditinjureatthetime？ItwasJohan’sintentionnevertocomeback。
Lona：Youaskwhomitinjured。Lookintoyourownheart，andtellmeifithasnotinjuredyou。
Bernick：Lookintoanyman’sheartyouplease，andyouwillalwaysfind，ineveryone，atleastoneblackspotwhichhehastokeepconcealed。
Lona：Andyoucallyourselvespillarsofsociety!
Bernick：Societyhasnonebetter。
Lona：Andofwhatconsequenceisitwhethersuchasocietybeproppedupornot？Whatdoesitallconsistof？Showandlies——
andnothingelse。Hereareyou，thefirstmaninthetown，livingingrandeurandluxury，powerfulandrespected——you，whohavebrandedaninnocentmanasacriminal。
Bernick：DoyousupposeIamnotdeeplyconsciousofthewrongI
havedonehim？AnddoyousupposeIamnotreadytomakeamendstohimforit？
Lona：How？Byspeakingout？
Bernick：Wouldyouhavethehearttoinsistonthat？
Lona：Whatelsecanmakeamendsforsuchawrong？
Bernick：Iamrich，Lona；Johancandemandanysumhepleases。
Lona：Yes，offerhimmoney，andyouwillhearwhathewillsay。
Bernick：Doyouknowwhatheintendstodo？
Lona：No；sinceyesterdayhehasbeendumb。Helooksasifthishadmadeagrownmanofhimallatonce。
Bernick：Imusttalktohim。
Lona：Herehecomes。（JOHANcomesinfromtheright。）
Bernick（goingtowardshint）：Johan——!
Johan（motioninghimaway）：Listentomefirst。YesterdaymorningIgaveyoumywordthatIwouldholdmytongue。
Bernick：Youdid。
Johan：ButthenIdidnotknow——
Bernick：Johan，onlyletmesayawordortwotoexplainthecircumstances——
Johan：Itisunnecessary；Iunderstandthecircumstancesperfectly。Thefirmwasinadangerouspositionatthetime；I
hadgoneoff，andyouhadmydefencelessnameandreputationatyourmercy。Well，Idonotblameyousoverymuchforwhatyoudid；wewereyoungandthoughtlessinthosedays。ButnowIhaveneedofthetruth，andnowyoumustspeak。
Bernick：AndjustnowIhaveneedofallmyreputationformorality，andthereforeIcannotspeak。
Johan：Idon’ttakemuchaccountofthefalsereportsyouspreadaboutme；itistheotherthingthatyoumusttaketheblameof。
IshallmakeDinamywife，andhere——hereinyourtown——Imeantosettledownandlivewithher。
Lona：Isthatwhatyoumeantodo？
Bernick：WithDina？Dinaasyourwife？——inthistown？
Johan：Yes，hereandnowhereelse。Imeantostayheretodefyalltheseliarsandslanderers。ButbeforeIcanwinher，youmustexonerateme。
Bernick：Haveyouconsideredthat，ifIconfesstotheonething，itwillinevitablymeanmakingmyselfresponsiblefortheotheraswell？YouwillsaythatIcanshowbyourbooksthatnothingdishonesthappened？ButIcannot；ourbookswerenotsoaccuratelykeptinthosedays。AndevenifIcould，whatgoodwoulditdo？ShouldInotinanycasebepointedatasthemanwhohadoncesavedhimselfbyanuntruth，andforfifteenyearshadallowedthatuntruthandallitsconsequencestostandwithouthavingraisedafingertodemolishit？Youdonotknowourcommunityverymuch，oryouwouldrealisethatitwouldruinmeutterly。
Johan：IcanonlytellyouthatImeantomakeMrs。Dorf’sdaughtermywife，andlivewithherinthistown。
Bernick（wipingtheperspirationfromhisforehead）：Listentome，Johan——andyoutoo，Lona。ThecircumstancesIaminjustnowarequiteexceptional。Iamsituatedinsuchawaythatifyouaimthisblowatmeyouwillnotonlydestroyme，butwillalsodestroyagreatfuture，richinblessings，thatliesbeforethecommunitywhich，afterall，wasthehomeofyourchildhood。
Johan：AndifIdonotaimthisblowatyou，Ishallbedestroyingallmyfuturehappinesswithmyownhand。
Lona：Goon，Karsten。
Bernick：Iwilltellyou，then。Itismixedupwiththerailwayproject，andthewholethingisnotquitesosimpleasyouthink。
Isupposeyouhaveheardthatlastyeartherewassometalkofarailwaylinealongthecoast？Manyinfluentialpeoplebackeduptheidea——peopleinthetownandthesuburbs，andespeciallythepress；butImanagedtogettheproposalquashed，onthegroundthatitwouldhaveinjuredoursteamboattradealongthecoast。
Lona：Haveyouanyinterestinthesteamboattrade？
Bernick：Yes。Butnooneventuredtosuspectmeonthataccount；
myhonourednamefullyprotectedmefromthat。Forthematterofthat，Icouldhavestoodtheloss；buttheplacecouldnothavestoodit。Sotheinlandlinewasdecidedupon。Assoonasthatwasdone，Iassuredmyself——withoutsayinganythingaboutit——
thatabranchlinecouldbelaidtothetown。
Lona：Whydidyousaynothingaboutit，Karsten？
Bernick：Haveyouheardtherumoursofextensivebuyingupofforestlands，minesandwaterfalls——？
Johan：Yes，apparentlyitissomecompanyfromanotherpartofthecountry。
Bernick：Asthesepropertiesaresituatedatpresent，theyareasgoodasvaluelesstotheirowners，whoarescatteredabouttheneighbourhood；theyhavethereforebeensoldcomparativelycheap。
Ifthepurchaserhadwaitedtillthebranchlinebegantobetalkedof，theproprietorswouldhaveaskedexorbitantprices。
Lona：Well——whatthen？
Bernick：NowIamgoingtotellyousomethingthatcanbeconstruedindifferentways——athingtowhich，inourcommunity，amancouldonlyconfessprovidedhehadanuntarnishedandhonourednametotakehisstandupon。
Lona：Well？
Bernick：ItisIthathaveboughtupthewholeofthem。
Lona：You？
Johan：Onyourownaccount？
Bernick：Onmyownaccount。Ifthebranchlinebecomesanaccomplishedfact，Iamamillionaire；ifitdoesnot，Iamruined。
Lona：Itisabigrisk，Karsten。
Bernick：Ihaveriskedmywholefortuneonit。
Lona：Iamnotthinkingofyourfortune；butifitcomestolightthat——
Bernick。Yes，thatisthecriticalpartofit。WiththeunblemishedandhonourednameIhavehithertoborne，Icantakethewholethinguponmyshoulders，carryitthrough，andsaytomyfellow—citizens：\"See，Ihavetakenthisriskforthegoodofthecommunity。\"
Lona：Ofthecommunity？
Bernick：Yes；andnotasoulwilldoubtmymotives。
Lona：Thensomeofthoseconcernedinithaveactedmoreopenly——
withoutanysecretmotivesorconsiderations。
Bernick：Who？
Lona：Why，ofcourse，RummelandSandstadandVigeland。
Bernick：TogetthemonmysideIwasobligedtoletthemintothesecret。
Lona：Andthey？
Bernick：Theyhavestipulatedforafifthpartoftheprofitsastheirshare。
Lona：Oh，thesepillarsofsociety。
Bernick：Andisn’titsocietyitselfthatforcesustousetheseunderhandedmeans？WhatwouldhavehappenedifIhadnotactedsecretly？Everybodywouldhavewantedtohaveahandintheundertaking；thewholethingwouldhavebeendividedup，mismanagedandbungled。Thereisnotasinglemaninthetownexceptmyselfwhoiscapableofdirectingsobiganaffairasthiswillbe。Inthiscountry，almostwithoutexception，itisonlyforeignerswhohavesettledherewhohavetheaptitudeforbigbusinessschemes。Thatisthereasonwhymyconscienceacquitsmeinthematter。Itisonlyinmyhandsthatthesepropertiescanbecomearealblessingtothemanywhohavetomaketheirdailybread。
Lona：Ibelieveyouarerightthere，Karsten。
Johan：ButIhavenoconcernwiththemany，andmylife’shappinessisatstake。
Bernick：Thewelfareofyournativeplaceisalsoatstake。Ifthingscomeoutwhichcastreflectionsonmyearlierconduct，thenallmyopponentswillfalluponmewithunitedvigour。A
youthfulfollyisneverallowedtobeforgotteninourcommunity。
Theywouldgothroughthewholeofmypreviouslife，bringupathousandlittleincidentsinit，interpretandexplaintheminthelightofwhathasbeenrevealed；theywouldcrushmeundertheweightofrumoursandslanders。Ishouldbeobligedtoabandontherailwayscheme；and，ifItakemyhandoffthat，itwillcometonothing，andIshallberuinedandmylifeasacitizenwillbeover。
Lona：Johan，afterwhatwehavejustheard，youmustgoawayfromhereandholdyourtongue。
Bernick：Yes，yes，Johan——youmust!
Johan：Yes，Iwillgoaway，andIwillholdmytongue；butI
shallcomeback，andthenIshallspeak。
Bernick：Stayoverthere，Johan；holdyourtongue，andIamwillingtosharewithyou——
Johan：Keepyourmoney，butgivemebackmynameandreputation。
Bernick：Andsacrificemyown!
Johan：Youandyourcommunitymustgetoutofthatthebestwayyoucan。ImustandshallwinDinaformywife。Andtherefore，I
amgoingtosailtomorrowinthe\"IndianGirl\"——
Bernick：Inthe\"IndianGirl\"？
Johan：Yes。Thecaptainhaspromisedtotakeme。IshallgoovertoAmerica，asIsay；Ishallsellmyfarm，andsetmyaffairsinorder。IntwomonthsIshallbeback。
Bernick：Andthenyouwillspeak？
Johan：Thentheguiltymanmusttakehisguiltonhimself。
Bernick：Haveyouforgottenthat，ifIdothat，Imustalsotakeonmyselfguiltthatisnotmine？
Johan：Whoisitthatforthelastfifteenyearshasbenefitedbythatshamefulrumour？
Bernick：Youwilldrivemetodesperation!Well，ifyouspeak，I
shalldenyeverything!Ishallsayitisaplotagainstme——thatyouhavecomeheretoblackmailme!
Lona：Forshame，Karsten!
Bernick：Iamadesperateman，Itellyou，andIshallfightformylife。Ishalldenyeverything——everything!
Johan：Ihaveyourtwoletters。Ifoundtheminmyboxamongmyotherpapers。ThismorningIreadthemagain；theyareplainenough。
Bernick：Andwillyoumakethempublic？
Johan：Ifitbecomesnecessary。
Bernick：Andyouwillbebackhereintwomonths？
Johan：Ihopeso。Thewindisfair。InthreeweeksIshallbeinNewYork——ifthe\"IndianGirl\"doesnotgotothebottom。
Bernick（withastart）：Gotothebottom？Whyshouldthe\"IndianGirl\"gotothebottom？
Johan：Quiteso——whyshouldshe？
Bernick（scarcelyaudibly）：Gotothebottom？
Johan：Well，Karsten，nowyouknowwhatisbeforeyou。Youmustfindyourownwayout。Good—bye!Youcansaygood—byetoBettyforme，althoughshehasnottreatedmelikeasister。ButImustseeMartha。SheshalltellDina———；sheshallpromiseme——（Goesoutthroughthefartherdoorontheleft。）
Bernick（tohimself）：The\"IndianGirl\"——？（Quickly。）Lona，youmustpreventthat!
Lona：Youseeforyourself，Karsten——Ihavenoinfluenceoverhimanylonger。（FollowsJOHANintotheotherroom。）
Bernick（apreytouneasythoughts）：Gotothebottom——？
（AUNEcomesinfromtheright。）
Aune：Excuseme，sir，butifitisconvenient——
Bernick（turningroundangrily）：Whatdoyouwant？
Aune：ToknowifImayaskyouaquestion，sir。
Bernick：Bequickaboutit，then。Whatisit？
Aune：IwantedtoaskifIamtoconsideritascertain——
absolutelycertain——thatIshouldbedismissedfromtheyardifthe\"IndianGirl\"werenotreadytosailtomorrow？
Bernick：Whatdoyoumean？Theshipisreadytosail？
Aune：Yes——itis。Butsupposeitwerenot，shouldIbedischarged？
Bernick：Whatistheuseofaskingsuchidlequestions？
Aune：OnlythatIshouldliketoknow，sir。Willyouanswermethat？——shouldIbedischarged？
Bernick：AmIinthehabitofkeepingmywordornot？
Aune：ThentomorrowIshouldhavelostthepositionIholdinmyhouseandamongthosenearanddeartome——lostmyinfluenceovermenofmyownclass——lostallopportunityofdoinganythingforthecauseofthepoorerandneediermembersofthecommunity？
Bernick：Aune，wehavediscussedallthatbefore。
Aune：Quiteso——thenthe\"IndianGirl\"willsail。
（Ashortsilence。）
Bernick：Lookhere——itisimpossibleformetohavemyeyeseverywhere——Icannotbeanswerableforeverything。Youcangivemeyourassurance，Isuppose，thattherepairshavebeensatisfactorilycarriedout？
Aune：Yougavemeveryshortgrace，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：ButIunderstandyoutowarranttherepairs？
Aune：Theweatherisfine，anditissummer。
（Anotherpause。）
Bernick：Haveyouanythingelsetosaytome？
Aune：Ithinknot，sir。
Bernick：Then——the\"IndianGirl\"willsail……
Aune：Tomorrow？
Bernick：Yes。
Aune：Verygood。（Bowsandgoesout。BERNICKstandsforamomentirresolute；thenwalksquicklytowardsthedoor，asiftocallAUNEback；butstops，hesitatingly，withhishandonthedoor—
handle。Atthatmomentthedoorisopenedfromwithout，andKRAP
comesin。）
Krap（inalowvoice）：Aha，hehasbeenhere。Hasheconfessed？
Bernick：Hm——；haveyoudiscoveredanything？
Krap：Whatneedofthat，sir？Couldyounotseetheevilconsciencelookingoutoftheman’seyes？
Bernick：Nonsense——suchthingsdon’tshow。Haveyoudiscoveredanything，Iwanttoknow？
Krap：Icouldnotmanageit；Iwastoolate。Theyhadalreadybegunhaulingtheshipoutofthedock。Buttheirveryhasteindoingthatplainlyshowsthat——
Bernick：Itshowsnothing。Hastheinspectiontakenplace，then？
Krap：Ofcourse；but——
Bernick：There，yousee!Andofcoursetheyfoundnothingtocomplainof？
Krap：Mr。Bernick，youknowverywellhowmuchthisinspectionmeans，especiallyinayardthathassuchagoodnameasourshas。
Bernick：Nomatter——ittakesallresponsibilityoffus。
Krap：But，sir，couldyoureallynottellfromAune’smannerthat——？
Bernick：Aunehascompletelyreassuredme，letmetellyou。
Krap：Andletmetellyou，sir，thatIammorallycertainthat——
Bernick：Whatdoesthismean，Krap？Iseeplainlyenoughthatyouwanttogetyourknifeintothisman；butifyouwanttoattackhim，youmustfindsomeotheroccasion。Youknowhowimportantitistome——or，Ishouldsay，totheowners——thatthe\"IndianGirl\"
shouldsailto—morrow。