Krap：Verywell——sobeit；butifeverwehearofthatshipagain——hm!
（VIGELANDcomesinfromtheright。）
Vigeland：Iwishyouaverygoodmorning，Mr。Bernick。Haveyouamomenttospare？
Bernick：Atyourservice，Mr。Vigeland。
Vigeland：Ionlywanttoknowifyouarealsoofopinionthatthe\"PalmTree\"shouldsailtomorrow？
Bernick：Certainly；Ithoughtthatwasquitesettled。
Vigeland：Well，thecaptaincametomejustnowandtoldmethatstormsignalshavebeenhoisted。
Bernick：Oh!Arewetoexpectastorm？
Vigeland：Astiffbreeze，atallevents；butnotacontrarywind—
—justtheopposite。
Bernick：Hm——well，whatdoyousay？
Vigeland：Isay，asIsaidtothecaptain，thatthe\"PalmTree\"
isinthehandsofProvidence。Besides，theyareonlygoingacrosstheNorthSeaatfirst；andinEngland，freightsarerunningtolerablyhighjustnow，sothat——
Bernick：Yes，itwouldprobablymeanalossforusifwewaited。
Vigeland：Besides，sheisastoutship，andfullyinsuredaswell。Itismorerisky，now，forthe\"IndianGirl\"——
Bernick：Whatdoyoumean？
Vigeland：Shesailstomorrow，too。
Bernick：Yes，theownershavebeeninsuchahurry，and，besides——
Vigeland：Well，ifthatoldhulkcanventureout——andwithsuchacrew，intothebargain——itwouldbeadisgracetousifwe——
Bernick：Quiteso。Ipresumeyouhavetheship’spaperswithyou。
Vigeland：Yes，heretheyare。
Bernick：Good；thenwillyougoinwithMr。Krap？
Krap：Willyoucomeinhere，sir，andwewilldisposeofthematonce。
Vigeland：Thankyou。——AndtheissueweleaveinthehandsoftheAlmighty，Mr。Bernick。（GoeswithKRAPintoBERNICK’Sroom。
RORLUNDcomesupfromthegarden。）
Rorlund：Athomeatthistimeofday，Mr。Bernick？
Bernick（lostinthought）：Asyousee。
Rorlund：Itwasreallyonyourwife’saccountIcame。Ithoughtshemightbeinneedofawordofcomfort。
Bernick：Verylikelysheis。ButIwanttohavealittletalkwithyou，too。
Rorlund：Withthegreatestofpleasure，Mr。Bernick。Butwhatisthematterwithyou？Youlookquitepaleandupset。
Bernick：Really？DoI？Well，whatelsecouldyouexpect——amansoloadedwithresponsibilitiesasIam？Thereisallmyownbigbusiness——andnowtheplanningofthisrailway。——Buttellmesomething，Mr。Rorlund，letmeputaquestiontoyou。
Rorlund：Withpleasure，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Itisaboutathoughtthathasoccurredtome。Supposeamanisfacetofacewithanundertakingwhichwillconcernthewelfareofthousands，andsupposeitshouldbenecessarytomakeasacrificeofone——？
Rorlund：Whatdoyoumean？
Bernick：Forexample，supposeamanwerethinkingofstartingalargefactory。Heknowsforcertain——becauseallhisexperiencehastaughthimso——thatsoonerorlateratollofhumanlifewillbeexactedintheworkingofthatfactory。
Rorlund：Yes，thatisonlytooprobable。
Bernick：Or，sayamanembarksonaminingenterprise。Hetakesintohisservicefathersoffamiliesandyoungmeninthefirstflushoftheiryouth。Isitnotquitesafetopredictthatallofthemwillnotcomeoutofitalive？
Rorlund：Yes，unhappilythatisquitetrue。
Bernick：Well——amaninthatpositionwillknowbeforehandthattheundertakingheproposestostartmustundoubtedly，atsometimeorother，meanalossofhumanlife。Buttheundertakingitselfisforthepublicgood；foreveryman’slifethatitcosts，itwillundoubtedlypromotethewelfareofmanyhundreds。
Rorlund：Ah，youarethinkingoftherailway——ofallthedangerousexcavatingandblasting，andthatsortofthing——
Bernick：Yes——quiteso——Iamthinkingoftherailway。And，besides，thecomingoftherailwaywillmeanthestartingoffactoriesandmines。Butdonotthink，nevertheless——
Rorlund：MydearMr。Bernick，youarealmostover—conscientious。
WhatIthinkisthat，ifyouplacetheaffairinthehandsofProvidence——
Bernick：Yes——exactly；Providence——
Rorlund：Youareblamelessinthematter。Goonandbuildyourrailwayhopefully。
Bernick：Yes，butnowIwillputaspecialinstancetoyou。
Supposeachargeofblasting—powderhadtobeexplodedinadangerousplace，andthatunlessitwereexplodedthelinecouldnotbeconstructed？Supposetheengineerknewthatitwouldcostthelifeoftheworkmanwholitthefuse，butthatithadtobelit，andthatitwastheengineer’sdutytosendaworkmantodoit？
Rorlund：Hm——
Bernick：Iknowwhatyouwillsay。Itwouldbeasplendidthingiftheengineertookthematchhimselfandwentandlitthefuse。
Butthatisoutofthequestion，sohemustsacrificeaworkman。
Rorlund：Thatisathingnoengineerherewouldeverdo。
Bernick：Noengineerinthebiggercountrieswouldthinktwiceaboutdoingit。
Rorlund：Inthebiggercountries？No，Icanquitebelieveit。Inthosedepravedandunprincipledcommunities。
Bernick：Oh，thereisagooddealtobesaidforthosecommunities。
Rorlund：Canyousaythat？——you，whoyourself——
Bernick：Inthebiggercommunitiesamanfindsspacetocarryoutavaluableproject——findsthecouragetomakesomesacrificeinagreatcause；buthere，amaniscrampedbyallkindsofpettyconsiderationsandscruples。
Rorlund：Ishumanlifeapettyconsideration？
Bernick：Whenthathumanlifethreatensthewelfareofthousands。
Rorlund：Butyouaresuggestingcasesthatarequiteinconceivable，Mr。Bernick!Idonotunderstandyouatalltoday。
Andyouquotethebiggercountries——well，whatdotheythinkofhumanlifethere？Theylookuponitsimplyaspartofthecapitaltheyhavetouse。Butwelookatthingsfromasomewhatdifferentmoralstandpoint，Ishouldhope。Lookatourrespectedshippingindustry!Canyounameasingleoneofourship—ownerswhowouldsacrificeahumanlifeforthesakeofpaltrygain？Andthenthinkofthosescoundrelsinthebiggercountries，whoforthesakeofprofitsendoutfreightsinoneunseaworthyshipafteranother——
Bernick：Iamnottalkingofunseaworthyships!
Rorlund：ButIam，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Yes，buttowhatpurpose？Theyhavenothingtodowiththequestion——Oh，thesesmall，timidconsiderations!IfaGeneralfromthiscountryweretotakehismenunderfireandsomeofthemwereshot，Isupposehewouldhavesleeplessnightsafterit!Itisnotsoinothercountries。Youshouldbearwhatthatfellowintheresays——
Rorlund：He？Who？TheAmerican——？
Bernick：Yes。YoushouldhearhowinAmerica——
Rorlund：He，inthere？Andyoudidnottellme？Ishallatonce——
Bernick：Itisnouse；youwon’tbeabletodoanythingwithhim。
Rorlund：Weshallsee。Ah，herehecomes。（JOHANcomesinfromtheotherroom。）
Johan（talkingbackthroughtheopendoor）：Yes，yes，Dina——asyouplease；butIdonotmeantogiveyouup，allthesame。I
shallcomeback，andtheneverythingwillcomerightbetweenus。
Rorlund：Excuseme，butwhatdidyoumeanbythat？Whatisityouproposetodo？
Johan：Iproposethatthatyounggirl，beforewhomyoublackenedmycharacteryesterday，shallbecomemywife。
Rorlund：Yourwife？Andcanyoureallysupposethat——？
Johan：Imeantomarryher。
Rorlund：Well，thenyoushallknowthetruth。（Goestothehalf—
opendoor。）Mrs。Bernick，willyoubesokindastocomeandbeawitness——andyoutoo，MissMartha。AndletDinacome。（SeesLONA
atthedoor。）Ah，youheretoo？
Lona：ShallIcometoo？
Rorlund：Asmanyasyouplease——themorethebetter。
Bernick：Whatareyougoingtodo？（LONA，MRS。BERNICK，MARTHA，DINAandHILMARcomeinfromtheotherroom。）
Mrs。Bernick：Mr。Rorlund，Ihavetriedmyhardest，butIcannotpreventhim……
Rorlund：Ishallpreventhim，Mrs。Bernick。Dina，youareathoughtlessgirl，butIdonotblameyousogreatly。Youhavetoolonglackedthenecessarymoralsupportthatshouldhavesustainedyou。Iblamemyselffornothavingaffordedyouthatsupport。
Dina：Youmustn’tspeaknow!
Mrs。Bernick：Whatisit？
Rorlund：ItisnowthatImustspeak，Dina，althoughyourconductyesterdayandtodayhasmadeittentimesmoredifficultforme。
Butallotherconsiderationsmustgivewaytothenecessityforsavingyou。YourememberthatIgaveyoumyword；yourememberwhatyoupromisedyouwouldanswerwhenIjudgedthattherighttimehadcome。NowIdarenothesitateanylonger，andtherefore—
—。（TurnstoJOHAN。）Thisyounggirl，whomyouarepersecuting，ismybetrothed。
Mrs。Bernick：What？
Bernick：Dina!
Johan：She？Your——？
Martha：No，no，Dina!
Lona：Itisalie!
Johan：Dina——isthismanspeakingthetruth？
Dina（afterashortpause）：Yes。
Rorlund：Ihopethishasrenderedallyourartsofseductionpowerless。ThestepIhavedeterminedtotakeforDina’sgood，I
nowwishopenlyproclaimedtoeveryone。Icherishthecertainhopethatitwillnotbemisinterpreted。Andnow，Mrs。Bernick，I
thinkitwillbebestforustotakeherawayfromhere，andtrytobringbackpeaceandtranquillitytohermind。
Mrs。Bernick：Yes，comewithme。Oh，Dina——whataluckygirlyouare!（TakesDINAOuttotheleft；RORLUNDfollowsthem。）
Martha：Good—bye，Johan!（Goesout。）
Hilmar（attheverandahdoor）：Hm——Ireallymustsay……
Lona（whohasfollowedDINAwithhereyes，toJOHAN）：Don’tbedownhearted，myboy!Ishallstayhereandkeepmyeyeontheparson。（Goesouttotheright。）
Bernick：Johan，youwon’tsailinthe\"IndianGirl\"now？
Johan：IndeedIshall。
Bernick：Butyouwon’tcomeback？
Johan：Iamcomingback。
Bernick：Afterthis？Whathaveyoutodohereafterthis？
Johan：Revengemyselfonyouall；crushasmanyofyouasIcan。
（Goesouttotheright。VIGELANDandKRAPcomeinfromBERNICK’S
room。）
Vigeland：There，nowthepapersareinorder，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Good，good。
Krap（inalowvoice）：AndIsupposeitissettledthatthe\"IndianGirl\"istosailtomorrow？
Bernick：Yes。（Goesintohisroom。VIGELANDandKRAPgoouttotheright。HILMARisjustgoingafterthem，whenOLAFputshisheadcarefullyoutofthedoorontheleft。）
Olaf：Uncle!UncleHilmar!
Hilmar：Ugh，isityou？Whydon’tyoustayupstairs？Youknowyouareconfinedtothehouse。
Olaf（comingasteportwonearer）：Hush!UncleHilmar，haveyouheardthenews？
Hilmar：Yes，Ihaveheardthatyougotathrashingtoday。
Olaf（lookingthreateninglytowardshisfather’sroom）：Heshan’tthrashmeanymore。ButhaveyouheardthatUncleJohanisgoingtosailtomorrowwiththeAmericans？
Hilmar：Whathasthatgottodowithyou？Youhadbetterrunupstairsagain。
Olaf：PerhapsIshallbegoingforabuffalohunt，too，oneofthesedays，uncle。
Hilmar：Rubbish!Acowardlikeyou——
Olaf：Yes——justyouwait!Youwilllearnsomethingtomorrow!
Hilmar：Duffer!（Goesoutthroughthegarden。OLAFrunsintotheroomagainandshutsthedoor，asheseesKRAPcominginfromtheright。）
Krap（goingtothedoorofBERNICK’Sroomandopeningitslightly）：Excusemybotheringyouagain，Mr。Bernick；butthereisatremendousstormblowingup。（Waitsamoment，butthereisnoanswer。）Isthe\"IndianGirl\"tosail，forallthat？（Afterashortpause，thefollowinganswerisheard。）
Bernick（fromhisroom）：The\"IndianGirl\"istosail，forallthat。
（KRAPShutsthedoorandgoesoutagaintotheright。）
ACTIV
（SCENE——Thesameroom。Thework—tablehasbeentakenaway。Itisastormyeveningandalreadydusk。Darknesssetsinasthefollowingsceneisinprogress。Aman—servantislightingthechandelier；twomaidsbringinpotsofflowers，lampsandcandles，whichtheyplaceontablesandstandsalongthewalls。
RUMMEL，indressclothes，withglovesandawhitetie，isstandingintheroomgivinginstructionstotheservants。）
Rummel：Onlyeveryothercandle，Jacob。Itmustnotlookasifitwerearrangedfortheoccasion——ithastocomeasasurprise，youknow。Andalltheseflowers——？Oh，well，letthembe；itwillprobablylookasiftheystoodthereeveryday。（BERNICKcomesoutofhisroom。）
Bernick（stoppingatthedoor）：Whatdoesthismean？
Rummel：Ohdear，isityou？（Totheservants。）Yes，youmightleaveusforthepresent。（Theservantsgoout。）
Bernick：But，Rummel，whatisthemeaningofthis？
Rummel：Itmeansthattheproudestmomentofyourlifehascome。
Aprocessionofhisfellowcitizensiscomingtodohonourtothefirstmanofthetown。
Bernick：What!
Rummel：Inprocession——withbannersandaband!Weoughttohavehadtorchestoo；butwedidnotliketoriskthatinthisstormyweather。Therewillbeilluminations——andthatalwayssoundswellinthenewspapers。
Bernick：Listen，Rummel——Iwon’thaveanythingtodowiththis。
Rummel：Butitistoolatenow；theywillbehereinhalf—an—
hour。
Bernick：Butwhydidyounottellmeaboutthisbefore？
Rummel：JustbecauseIwasafraidyouwouldraiseobjectionstoit。ButIconsultedyourwife；sheallowedmetotakechargeofthearrangements，whileshelooksaftertherefreshments。
Bernick（listening）：Whatisthatnoise？Aretheycomingalready？
IfancyIhearsinging。
Rummel（goingtotheverandahdoor）：Singing？Oh，thatisonlytheAmericans。The\"IndianGirl\"isbeingtowedout。
Bernick：Towedout？Oh，yes。No，Rummel，Icannotthisevening；I
amnotwell。
Rummel：Youcertainlydolookbad。Butyoumustpullyourselftogether；deviltakeit——youmust!SandstadandVigelandandI
allattachthegreatestimportancetocarryingthisthingthrough。Wehavegottocrushouropponentsundertheweightofascompleteanexpressionofpublicopinionaspossible。Rumoursaregettingaboutthetown；ourannouncementaboutthepurchaseofthepropertycannotbewithheldanylonger。Itisimperativethatthisveryevening——aftersongsandspeeches，amidsttheclinkofglasses——inaword，inanebullientatmosphereoffestivity——
youshouldinformthemoftheriskyouhaveincurredforthegoodofthecommunity。Insuchanebullientatmosphereoffestivity——
asIjustnowdescribedit——youcandoanastonishinglotwiththepeoplehere。Butyoumusthavethatatmosphere，orthethingwon’tgo。
Bernick：Yes，yes。
Rummel：Andespeciallywhensodelicateandticklishapointhastobenegotiated。Well，thankgoodness，youhaveanamethatwillbeatowerofstrength，Bernick。Butlistennow；wemustmakeourarrangements，tosomeextent。Mr。HilmarTonnesenhaswrittenanodetoyou。Itbeginsverycharminglywiththewords：\"RaisetheIdeal’sbannerhigh!\"AndMr。Rorlundhasundertakenthetaskofmakingthespeechoftheevening。Ofcourseyoumustreplytothat。
Bernick：Icannottonight，Rummel。Couldn’tyou——？
Rummel：Itisimpossible，howeverwillingImightbe；because，asyoucanimagine，hisspeechwillbeespeciallyaddressedtoyou。
Ofcourseitispossiblehemaysayawordortwoabouttherestofus；IhavespokentoVigelandandSandstadaboutit。Ourideaisthat，inreplying，youshouldproposethetoastof\"ProsperitytoourCommunity\"；Sandstadwillsayafewwordsonthesubjectofharmoniousrelationsbetweenthedifferentstrataofsociety；
thenVigelandwillexpressthehopethatthisnewundertakingmaynotdisturbthesoundmoralbasisuponwhichourcommunitystands；andIpropose，inafewsuitablewords，torefertotheladies，whoseworkforthecommunity，thoughmoreinconspicuous，isfarfrombeingwithoutitsimportance。Butyouarenotlisteningtome。
Bernick：Yes——indeedIam。But，tellme，doyouthinkthereisaveryheavysearunningoutside？
Rummel：Why，areyounervousaboutthe\"PalmTree\"？Sheisfullyinsured，youknow。
Bernick：Yes，sheisinsured；but——
Rummel：Andingoodrepair——andthatisthemainthing。
Bernick：Hm——。Supposinganythingdoeshappentoaship，itdoesn’tfollowthathumanlifewillbeindanger，doesit？Theshipandthecargomaybelost——andonemightloseone’sboxesandpapers——
Rummel：GoodLord——boxesandpapersarenotofmuchconsequence。
Bernick：Notofmuchconsequence!No，no；Ionlymeant——。Hush——I
hearvoicesagain。
Rummel：Itisonboardthe\"PalmTree。\"
（VIGELANDcomesinfromtheright。）
Vigeland：Yes，theyarejusttowingthe\"PalmTree\"out。Goodevening，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Andyou，asaseafaringman，arestillofopinionthat——
Vigeland：IputmytrustinProvidence，Mr。Bernick。Moreover，I
havebeenonboardmyselfanddistributedafewsmalltractswhichIhopemaycarryablessingwiththem。
（SANDSTADandKRAPcomeinfromtheright。）
Sandstad（tosomeoneatthedoor）：Well，ifthatgetsthroughallright，anythingwill。（Comesin。）Ah，goodevening，goodevening!
Bernick：Isanythingthematter，Krap？
Krap：Isaynothing，Mr。Bernick。
Sandstad：Theentirecrewofthe\"IndianGirl\"aredrunk；Iwillstakemyreputationonitthattheywon’tcomeoutofitalive。
（LONAcomesinfromtheright。）
Lona：Ah，nowIcansayhisgood—byesforhim。
Bernick：Isheonboardalready？
Lona：Hewillbedirectly，atanyrate。Wepartedoutsidethehotel。
Bernick：Andhepersistsinhisintention？
Lona：Asfirmasarock。
Rummel（whoisfumblingatthewindow）：Confoundthesenew—
fangledcontrivances；Icannotgetthecurtainsdrawn。
Lona：Doyouwantthemdrawn？Ithought，onthecontrary——
Rummel：Yes，drawnatfirst，MissHessel。Youknowwhatisinthewind，Isuppose？
Lona：Yes。Letmehelpyou。（Takesholdofthecords。）Iwilldrawdownthecurtainsonmybrother—in—law——thoughIwouldmuchratherdrawthemup。
Rummel：Youcandothattoo，lateron。Whenthegardenisfilledwithasurgingcrowd，thenthecurtainsshallbedrawnback，andtheywillbeabletolookinuponasurprisedandhappyfamily。
Citizens’livesshouldbesuchthattheycanliveinglasshouses!（BERNICKopenshismouth，asthoughheweregoingtosaysomething；butheturnshurriedlyawayandgoesintohisroom。）
Rummel：Comealong，letushaveafinalconsultation。Comein，too，Mr。Krap；youmustassistuswithinformationononeortwopointsofdetail。（AllthemengointoBERNICK’Sroom。LONAhasdrawnthecurtainsoverthewindows，andisjustgoingtodothesameovertheopenglassdoor，whenOLAFjumpsdownfromtheroomaboveontothegardensteps；hehasawrapoverhisshouldersandabundleinhishand。）
Lona：Blessme，child，howyoufrightenedme!
Olaf（hidinghisbundle）：Hush，aunt!
Lona：Didyoujumpoutofthewindow？Whereareyougoing？
Olaf：Hush!——don’tsayanything。IwanttogotoUncleJohan——
onlyontothequay，youknow——onlytosaygoodbyetohim。Good—
night，aunt!（Runsoutthroughthegarden。）
Lona：No——stop!Olaf——Olaf!
（JOHAN，dressedforhisjourney，withabagoverhisshoulder，comeswarilyinbythedoorontheright。）
Johan：Lona!
Lona（turninground）：What!Backagain？
Johan：Ihavestillafewminutes。Imustseeheroncemore；wecannotpartlikethis。（Thefartherdoorontheleftopens，andMARTHAandDINA，bothwithcloakson，andthelattercarryingasmalltravellingbaginherhand，comein。）
Dina：Letmegotohim!Letmegotohim!
Martha：Yes，youshallgotohim，Dina!
Dina：Thereheis!
Johan：Dina!
Dina：Takemewithyou!
Johan：What——!
Lona：Youmeanit？
Dina：Yes，takemewithyou。Theotherhaswrittentomethathemeanstoannouncetoeveryonethisevening。
Johan：Dina——youdonotlovehim？
Dina：Ihaveneverlovedtheman!Iwouldratherdrownmyselfinthefjordthanbeengagedtohim!Oh，howhehumiliatedmeyesterdaywithhiscondescendingmanner!Howclearhemadeitthathefelthewasliftingupapoordespisedcreaturetohisownlevel!Idonotmeantobedespisedanylonger。Imeantogoaway。MayIgowithyou？
Johan：Yes，yes——athousandtimes，yes!
Dina：Iwillnotbeaburdentoyoulong。Onlyhelpmetogetoverthere；helpmetogotherightwayaboutthingsatfirst。
Johan：Hurrah，itisallrightafterall，Dina!
Lona（pointingtoBERNICK’Sdoor）：Hush!——gently，gently!
Johan：Dina，Ishalllookafteryou。
Dina：Iamnotgoingtoletyoudothat。Imeantolookaftermyself；overthere，IamsureIcandothat。Onlyletmegetawayfromhere。Oh，thesewomen!——youdon’tknow——theyhavewrittentometoday，too——exhortingmetorealisemygoodfortune——
impressingonmehowmagnanimoushehasbeen。Tomorrow，andeverydayafterwards，theywouldbewatchingmetoseeifIweremakingmyselfworthyofitall。Iamsickandtiredofallthisgoodness!
Johan：Tellme，Dina——isthattheonlyreasonyouarecomingaway？Amlnothingtoyou？
Dina：Yes，Johan，youaremoretomethananyoneelseintheworld。
Johan：Oh，Dina——!
Dina：EveryoneheretellsmeIoughttohateanddetestyou——
thatitismyduty；butIcannotseethatitismyduty，andshallneverbeableto。
Lona：Nomoreyoushall，mydear!
Martha：No，indeedyoushallnot；andthatiswhyyoushallgowithhimashiswife。
Johan：Yes，yes!
Lona：What？Givemeakiss，Martha。Ineverexpectedthatfromyou!
Martha：No，Idaresaynot；Iwouldnothaveexpecteditmyself。
ButIwasboundtobreakoutsometime!Ah，whatwesufferunderthetyrannyofhabitandcustom!Makeastandagainstthat，Dina。
Behiswife。Letmeseeyoudefyallthisconvention。
Johan：Whatisyouranswer，Dina？
Dina：Yes，Iwillbeyourwife。
Johan：Dina!
Dina：ButfirstofallIwanttowork——tomakesomethingofmyself——asyouhavedone。Iamnotgoingtobemerelyathingthatistaken。
Lona：Quiteright——thatistheway。
Johan：Verywell；Ishallwaitandhope—
Lona：Andwin，myboy!Butnowyoumustgetonboard!
Johan：Yes，onboard!Ah，Lona，mydearsister，justonewordwithyou。Lookhere——（Hetakesherintothebackgroundandtalkshurriedlytoher。）
Martha：Dina，youluckygirl，letmelookatyou，andkissyouoncemore——forthelasttime。
Dina：Notforthelasttime；no，mydarlingaunt，weshallmeetagain。
Martha：Never!Promiseme，Dina，nevertocomeback!（Graspsherhandsandlooksather。）Nowgotoyourhappiness，mydearchild—
—acrossthesea。Howoften，inmyschoolroom，Ihaveyearnedtobeoverthere!Itmustbebeautiful；theskiesareloftierthanhere——afreerairplaysaboutyourhead——
Dina：Oh，AuntMartha，somedayyouwillfollowus。
Martha：I？Never——never。Ihavemylittlevocationhere，andnowIreallybelieveIcanlivetothefullthelifethatIought。
Dina：Icannotimaginebeingpartedfromyou。
Martha：Ah，onecanpartfrommuch，Dina。（Kissesher。）ButI
hopeyoumayneverexperiencethat，mysweetchild。Promisemetomakehimhappy。
Dina：Iwillpromisenothing；Ihatepromises；thingsmusthappenastheywill。
Martha：Yes，yes，thatistrue；onlyremainwhatyouare——trueandfaithfultoyourself。
Dina：Iwill，aunt。
Lona（puttingintoherpocketsomepapersthatJOHANhasgivenher）：Splendid，splendid，mydearboy。Butnowyoumustbeoff。
Johan：Yes，wehavenotimetowastenow。Goodbye，Lona，andthankyouforallyourlove。Goodbye，Martha，andthankyou，too，foryourloyalfriendship。
Martha：Goodbye，Johan!Goodbye，Dina!Andmayyoubehappyallyourlives!（SheandLONAhurrythemtothedoorattheback。
JOHANandDINAgoquicklydownthestepsandthroughthegarden。
LONAshutsthedooranddrawsthecurtainsoverit。）
Lona：Nowwearealone，Martha。YouhavelostherandIhim。
Martha：You——losthim？
Lona：Oh，Ihadalreadyhalflosthimoverthere。Theboywaslongingtostandonhisownfeet；thatwaswhyIpretendedtobesufferingfromhomesickness。
Martha：Sothatwasit？Ah，thenIunderstandwhyyoucame。Buthewillwantyouback，Lona。
Lona：Anoldstep—sister——whatusewillhehaveforhernow？Menbreakmanyverydeartiestowintheirhappiness。
Martha：Thatsometimesisso。
Lona：Butwetwowillsticktogether，Martha。
Martha：CanIbeanythingtoyou？
Lona：Whomoreso？Wetwofoster—sisters——haven’twebothlostourchildren？Nowwearealone。
Martha：Yes，alone。Andtherefore，yououghttoknowthistoo——I
lovedhimmorethananythingintheworld。
Lona：Martha!（Graspsherbythearm。）Isthattrue？
Martha：Allmyexistenceliesinthosewords。Ihavelovedhimandwaitedforhim。EverysummerIwaitedforhimtocome。Andthenhecame——buthehadnoeyesforme。
Lona：Youlovedhim!Anditwasyouyourselfthatputhishappinessintohishands。
Martha：OughtInottobetheonetoputhishappinessintohishands，sinceIlovedhim？Yes，Ihavelovedhim。Allmylifehasbeenforhim，eversincehewentaway。WhatreasonhadItohope，youmean？Oh，IthinkIhadsomereason，allthesame。Butwhenhecameback——thenitseemedasifeverythinghadbeenwipedoutofhismemory。Hehadnoeyesforme。
Lona：ItwasDinathatovershadowedyou，Martha？
Martha：Anditisagoodthingshedid。Atthetimehewentaway，wewereofthesameage；butwhenIsawhimagain——oh，thatdreadfulmoment!——IrealisedthatnowIwastenyearsolderthanhe。Hehadgoneoutintothebrightsparklingsunshine，andbreathedinyouthandhealthwitheverybreath；andhereIsatmeanwhile，spinningandspinning——
Lona：Spinningthethreadofhishappiness，Martha。
Martha：Yes，itwasagoldenthreadIspun。Nobitterness!Wehavebeentwogoodsisterstohim，haven’twe，Lona？
Lona（throwingherarmsroundher）：Martha!
（BERNICKcomesinfromhisroom。）
Bernick（totheothermen，whoareinhisroom）：Yes，yes，arrangeitanywayyouplease。Whenthetimecomes，Ishallbeableto——。（Shutsthedoor。）Ah，youarehere。Lookhere，Martha—
—Ithinkyouhadbetterchangeyourdress；andtellBettytodothesame。Idon’twantanythingelaborate，ofcourse——somethinghomely，butneat。Butyoumustmakehaste。
Lona：Andabright，cheerfulface，Martha；youreyesmustlookhappy。
Bernick：Olafistocomedownstairstoo；Iwillhavehimbesideme。
Lona：Hm!Olaf。
Martha：IwillgiveBettyyourmessage。（Goesoutbythefartherdoorontheleft。）
Lona：Well，thegreatandsolemnmomentisathand。
Bernick（walkinguneasilyupanddown）：Yes，itis。
Lona：AtsuchamomentIshouldthinkamanwouldfeelproudandhappy。
Bernick（lookingather）：Hm!
Lona：Ihearthewholetownistobeilluminated。
Bernick：Yes，theyhavesomeideaofthatsort。
Lona：Allthedifferentclubswillassemblewiththeirbanners——
yournamewillblazeoutinlettersoffire——tonightthetelegraphwillflashthenewstoeverypartofthecountry：\"Inthebosomofhishappyfamily，Mr。Bernickreceivedthehomageofhisfellowcitizens，asoneofthepillarsofsociety。\"
Bernick：Thatisso；andtheywillbegintocheeroutside，andthecrowdwillshoutinfrontofmyhouseuntilIshallbeobligedtogooutandbowtothemandthankthem。
Lona：Obligedto？
Bernick。DoyousupposeIshallfeelhappyatthatmoment？
Lona：No，Idon’tsupposeyouwillfeelsoveryhappy。
Bernick：Lona，youdespiseme。
Lona：Notyet。
Bernick：Andyouhavenorightto；norighttodespiseme!Lona，youcanhavenoideahowutterlyaloneIstandinthiscrampedandstuntedcommunity——whereIhavehad，yearafteryear，tostiflemyambitionforafullerlife。Myworkmayseemmany—
sided，butwhathaveIreallyaccomplished？Oddsandends——
scraps。Theywouldnotstandanythingelsehere。IfIweretogoastepinadvanceoftheopinionsandviewsthatarecurrentatthemoment，Ishouldloseallmyinfluence。Doyouknowwhatweare——wewhoarelookeduponaspillarsofsociety？Wearenothingmore，norless，thanthetoolsofsociety。
Lona：Whyhaveyouonlybeguntorealisethatnow？
Bernick：BecauseIhavebeenthinkingagreatdeallately——sinceyoucameback——andthiseveningIhavethoughtmoreseriouslythaneverbefore。Oh，Lona，whydidnotIreallyknowyouthen——
intheolddays，Imean？
Lona：Andifyouhad？
Bernick：Ishouldneverhaveletyougo；and，ifIhadhadyou，I
shouldnotbeinthepositionIamintonight。
Lona：Anddoyouneverconsiderwhatshemighthavebeentoyou——
shewhomyouchoseinmyplace？
Bernick：Iknow，atallevents，thatshehasbeennothingtomeofwhatIneeded。
Lona：Becauseyouhaveneversharedyourinterestswithher；
becauseyouhaveneverallowedherfullandfrankexchangeofthoughtswithyou；becauseyouhaveallowedhertobeborneunderbyself—reproachfortheshameyoucastupononewhowasdeartoher。
Bernick：Yes，yes；itallcomesfromlyinganddeceit。
Lona：Thenwhynotbreakwithallthislyinganddeceit？
Bernick：Now？Itistoolatenow，Lona。
Lona：Karsten，tellme——whatgratificationdoesallthisshowanddeceptionbringyou？
Bernick：Itbringsmenone。Imustdisappearsomeday，andallthiscommunityofbunglerswithme。Butagenerationisgrowingupthatwillfollowus；itismysonthatIworkfor——Iamprovidingacareerforhim。Therewillcomeatimewhentruthwillenterintothelifeofthecommunity，andonthatfoundationheshallbuildupahappierexistencethanhisfather。
Lona：Withalieatthebottomofitall？Considerwhatsortofaninheritanceitisthatyouareleavingtoyourson。
Bernick（intonesofsuppresseddespair）：Itisathousandtimesworsethanyouthink。Butsurelysomedaythecursemustbelifted；andyet——nevertheless——。（Vehemently。）HowcouldIbringallthisuponmyownhead!Still，itisdonenow；Imustgoonwithitnow。Youshallnotsucceedincrushingme!（HILMARcomesinhurriedlyandagitatedlyfromtheright，withanopenletterinhishand。）
Hilmar：Butthisis——Betty，Betty。
Bernick：Whatisthematter？Aretheycomingalready？
Hilmar：No，no——butImustspeaktosomeoneimmediately。（Goesoutthroughthefartherdoorontheleft。）
Lona：Karsten，youtalkaboutourhavingcomeheretocrushyou。
Soletmetellyouwhatsortofstuffthisprodigalson，whomyourmoralcommunityshunsasifhehadtheplague，ismadeof。
Hecandowithoutanyofyou——forheisawaynow。
Bernick：ButhesaidhemeanttocomebackLona：Johanwillnevercomeback。Heisgoneforgood，andDinawithhim。
Bernick：Nevercomeback？——andDinawithhim？
Lona：Yes，tobehiswife。Thatishowthesetwostrikeyourvirtuouscommunityintheface，justasIdidonce——butnevermindthat。
Bernick：Gone——andshetoo——inthe\"IndianGirl\"——
Lona：No；hewouldnottrustsopreciousafreighttothatrascallycrew。JohanandDinaareonthe\"PalmTree。\"
Bernick：Ah!Thenitisallinvain——（Goeshurriedlytothedoorofhisroom，opensitandcallsin。）Krap，stopthe\"IndianGirl\"——shemustnotsailtonight!
Krap（fromwithin）：The\"IndianGirl\"isalreadystandingouttosea，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick（shuttingthedoorandspeakingfaintly）：Toolate——andalltonopurpose——
Lona：Whatdoyoumean？
Bernick：Nothing，nothing。Leavemealone!
Lona：Hm!——lookhere，Karsten。Johanwasgoodenoughtosaythatheentrustedtomethegoodnameandreputationthatheoncelenttoyou，andalsothegoodnamethatyoustolefromhimwhilehewasaway。Johanwillholdhistongue；andIcanactjustasI
pleaseinthematter。See，Ihavetwolettersinmyhand。
Bernick：Youhavegotthem!Andyoumeannow——thisveryevening—
perhapswhentheprocessioncomes——
Lona：Ididnotcomebackheretobetrayyou，buttostiryourconsciencesothatyoushouldspeakofyourownfreewill。Ididnotsucceedindoingthat——soyoumustremainasyouare，withyourlifefoundeduponalie。Look，Iamtearingyourtwolettersinpieces。Takethewretchedthings——thereyouare。Nowthereisnoevidenceagainstyou，Karsten。Youaresafenow；behappy，too——ifyoucan。
Bernick（muchmoved）：Lona——whydidyounotdothatsooner!
Nowitistoolate；lifenolongerseemsgoodtome；Icannotliveonaftertoday。
Lona：Whathashappened？
Bernick：Donotaskme——ButImustliveon，nevertheless!Iwilllive——forOlaf’ssake。Heshallmakeamendsforeverything——expiateeverything。
Lona：Karsten——!（HILMARcomeshurriedlyback。）
Hilmar：Icannotfindanyone；theyareallout——evenBetty!
Bernick：Whatisthematterwithyou？
Hilmar：Idaren’ttellyou。
Bernick：Whatisit？Youmusttellme!
Hilmar：Verywell——Olafhasrunaway，onboardthe\"IndianGirl。\"
Bernick（stumblingback）：Olaf——onboardthe\"IndianGirl\"!No，no!
Lona：Yes，heis!NowIunderstand——Isawhimjumpoutofthewindow。
Bernick（callsinthroughthedoorofhisroominadespairingvoice）：
Krap，stopthe\"IndianGirl\"atanycost!
Krap：Itisimpossible，sir。Howcanyousuppose——？
Bernick：Wemuststopher；Olafisonboard!
Krap：What!
Rummel（comingoutofBERNICK’Sroom）：Olaf，runaway？Impossible!
Sandstad（followinghim）：Hewillbesentbackwiththepilot，Mr。
Bernick。
Hilmar：No，no；hehaswrittentome。（Showstheletter。）Hesayshemeanstohideamongthecargotilltheyareintheopensea。
Bernick：Ishallneverseehimagain!
Rummel：Whatnonsense!——agoodstrongship，newlyrepaired……
Vigeland（whohasfollowedtheothersoutofBERNICK’Sroom）：Andinyourownyard，Mr。Bernick!
Bernick：Ishallneverseehimagain，Itellyou。Ihavelosthim，Lona；and——Iseeitnow——heneverwasreallymine。（Listens。）Whatisthat？
Rummel：Music。Theprocessionmustbecoming。
Bernick。Icannottakeanypartinit——Iwillnot。
Rummel：Whatareyouthinkingof!Thatisimpossible。
Sandstad：Impossible，Mr。Bernick；thinkwhatyouhaveatstake。
Bernick：Whatdoesitallmattertomenow？WhathaveItoworkfornow？
Rummel：Canyouask？Youhaveusandthecommunity。
Vigeland：Quitetrue。
Sandstad：Andsurely，Mr。Bernick，youhavenotforgottenthatwe——。（MARTHAcomesinthroughthefartherdoortotheleft。Musicisheardinthedistance，downthestreet。）
Martha：Theprocessionisjustcoming，butBettyisnotinthehouse。I
don’tunderstandwhereshe——
Bernick：Notinthehouse!There，yousee，Lona——nosupporttome，eitheringladnessorinsorrow。
Rummel：Drawbackthecurtains!Comeandhelpme，Mr。Krap——andyou，Mr。Sandstad。Itisathousandpitiesthatthefamilyshouldnotbeunitedjustnow；itisquitecontrarytotheprogram。（Theydrawbackallthecurtains。Thewholestreetisseentobeilluminated。Oppositethehouseisalargetransparency，bearingthewords：\"LongliveKarstenBernick，PillarofourSociety\"）
Bernick（shrinkingback）：Takeallthataway!Idon’twanttoseeit!
Putitout，putitout!
Rummel：Excuseme，Mr。Bernick，butareyounotwell？
Martha：Whatisthematterwithhim，Lona？
Lona：Hush!（Whisperstoher。）
Bernick：Takeawaythosemockingwords，Itellyou!Can’tyouseethatalltheselightsaregrinningatus？
Rummel：Well，really，Imustconfess——
Bernick：Oh，howcouldyouunderstand——!ButI，I——!Itisalllikecandlesinadead—room!
Rummel：Well，letmetellyouthatyouaretakingthethingagreatdealtooseriously。
Sandstad：TheboywillenjoyatripacrosstheAtlantic，andthenyouwillhavehimback。
Vigeland：OnlyputyourtrustintheAlmighty，Mr。Bernick。
Rummel：Andinthevessel，Bernick；itisnotlikelytosink，Iknow。
Krap：Hm——
Rummel：Nowifitwereoneofthosefloatingcoffinsthatonehearsaresentoutbymeninthebiggercountries——
Bernick：Iamsuremyhairmustbeturninggrey——
（MRS。BERNICKcomesinfromthegarden，withashawlthrownoverherhead。）
Mrs。Bernick：Karsten，Karsten，doyouknow——？
Bernick：Yes。Iknow；butyou——you，whoseenothingthatisgoingon——you，whohavenomother’seyesforyourson——!
Mrs。Bernick：Listentome，do!
Bernick：Whydidyounotlookafterhim？NowIhavelosthim。Givehimbacktome，ifyoucan。
Mrs。Bernick：Ican!Ihavegothim。
Bernick：Youhavegothim!
TheMen：Ah!
Hilmar：Yes，Ithoughtso。
Martha：Youhavegothimback，Karsten。
Lona：Yes——makehimyourown，now。
Bernick：Youhavegothim!Isthattrue？Whereishe？
Mrs。Bernick：Ishallnottellyou，tillyouhaveforgivenhim。
Bernick：Forgiven!Buthowdidyouknow——？
Mrs。Bernick：Doyounotthinkamothersees？Iwasinmortalfearofyourgettingtoknowanythingaboutit。Somewordsheletfallyesterday——andthenhisroomwasempty，andhisknapsackandclothesmissing……
Bernick：Yes，yes？
Mrs。Bernick：Iran，andgotholdofAune；wewentoutinhisboat；
theAmericanshipwasonthepointofsailing。ThankGod，wewereintime——gotonboard——searchedthehold——foundhim!Oh，Karsten，youmustnotpunishhim!
Bernick：Betty!
Mrs。Bernick：NorAune，either!
Bernick：Aune？Whatdoyouknowabouthim？Isthe\"IndianGirl\"undersailagain？
Mrs。Bernick：No，thatisjustit。
Bernick：Speak，speak!
Mrs。Bernick：AunewasjustasagitatedasIwas；thesearchtookussometime；ithadgrowndark，andthepilotmadeobjections；andsoAunetookuponhimself——inyourname——
Bernick：Well？
Mrs。Bernick：Tostoptheship’ssailingtilltomorrow。
Krap：Hm——
Bernick：Oh，howgladIam!
Mrs。Bernick：Youarenotangry？
Bernick：IcannottellyouhowgladIam，BettyRummel：Youreallytakethingsfartooseriously。
Hilmar：Ohyes，assoonasitisaquestionofalittlestrugglewiththeelements——ugh!
Krap（goingtothewindow）：Theprocessionisjustcomingthroughyourgardengate，Mr。Bernick。
Bernick：Yes，theycancomenow。
Rummel：Thewholegardenisfullofpeople。
Sandstad：Thewholestreetiscrammed。
Rummel：Thewholetownisafoot，Bernick。Itreallyisamomentthatmakesoneproud。
Vigeland：Letustakeitinahumblespirit，Mr。Rummel。
Rummel：Allthebannersareout!Whataprocession!HerecomesthecommitteewithMr。Rorlundattheirhead。
Bernick：Yes，letthemcomein!
Rummel：But，Bernick——inyourpresentagitatedframeofmind——
Bernick：Well，what？
Rummel：Iamquitewillingtospeakinsteadofyou，ifyoulike。
Bernick：No，thankyou；Iwillspeakformyselftonight。
Rummel：Butareyousureyouknowwhattosay？
Bernick：Yes，makeyourmindeasy，Rummel——Iknownowwhattosay。
（Themusicgrowslouder。Theverandahdoorisopened。RORLUND
comesin，attheheadoftheCommittee，escortedbyacoupleofhiredwaiters，whocarryacoveredbasket。Theyarefollowedbytownspeopleofallclasses，asmanyascangetintotheroom。Anapparentlyendlesscrowdofpeople，wavingbannersandflags，arevisibleinthegardenandthestreet。）
Rorlund：Mr。Bernick!Isee，fromthesurprisedepicteduponyourface，thatitisasunexpectedgueststhatweareintrudinguponyourhappyfamilycircleandyourpeacefulfireside，wherewefindyousurroundedbyhonouredandenergeticfellowcitizensandfriends。Butitisourheartsthathavebiddenuscometoofferyouourhomage——notforthefirsttime，itistrue，butforthefirsttimeonsuchacomprehensivescale。Wehaveonmanyoccasionsgivenyouourthanksforthebroadmoralfoundationuponwhichyouhave，sotospeak，rearedtheedificeofourcommunity。Onthisoccasionweofferourhomageespeciallytotheclear—sighted，indefatigable，unselfish——nay，self—sacrificingcitizenwhohastakentheinitiativeinanundertakingwhich，weareassuredonallsides，willgiveapowerfulimpetustothetemporalprosperityandwelfareofourcommunity。
Voices：Bravo，bravo!
Rorlund：You，sir，haveformanyyearsbeenashiningexampleinourmidst。Thisisnottheplaceformetospeakofyourfamilylife，whichhasbeenamodeltousall；stilllesstoenlargeuponyourunblemishedpersonalcharacter。Suchtopicsbelongtothestillnessofaman’sownchamber，nottoafestaloccasionsuchasthis!Iamheretospeakofyourpubliclifeasacitizen，asitliesopentoallmen’seyes。
Well—equippedvesselssailawayfromyourshipyardandcarryourflagfarandwideovertheseas。Anumerousandhappybandofworkmenlookuptoyouastoafather。Bycallingnewbranchesofindustryintoexistence，youhavelaidthefoundationsofthewelfareofhundredsoffamilies。
Inaword——youare，inthefullestsenseoftheterm，themainstayofourcommunity。
Voices：Hear，hear!Bravo!
Rorlund：And，sir，itisjustthatdisinterestedness，whichcoloursallyourconduct，thatissobeneficialtoourcommunity——moresothanwordscanexpress——andespeciallyatthepresentmoment。YouarenowonthepointofprocuringforuswhatIhavenohesitationincallingbluntlybyitsprosaicname——arailway!
Voices：Bravo，bravo!
Rorlund：Butitwouldseemasthoughtheundertakingwerebesetbycertaindifficulties，theoutcomeofnarrowandselfishconsiderations。
Voices：Hear，hear!
Rorlund：Forthefacthascometolightthatcertainindividuals，whodonotbelongtoourcommunity，havestolenamarchuponthehard—
workingcitizensofthisplace，andhavelaidhandsoncertainsourcesofprofitwhichbyrightsshouldhavefallentotheshareofourtown。
Voices：That’sright!Hear，hear!
Rorlund：Thisregrettablefacthasnaturallycometoyourknowledgealso，Mr。Bernick。Butithasnothadtheslightesteffectindeterringyoufromproceedingsteadilywithyourproject，wellknowingthatapatrioticmanshouldnotsolelytakelocalinterestsintoconsideration。
Voices：Oh!——No，no!——Yes，yes!
Rorlund：Itistosuchaman——tothepatriotcitizen，whosecharacterweallshouldemulate——thatwebringourhomagethisevening。Mayyourundertakinggrowtobearealandlastingsourceofgoodfortunetothiscommunity!Itistrueenoughthatarailwaymaybethemeansofourexposingourselvestotheincursionofperniciousinfluencesfromwithout；butitgivesusalsothemeansofquicklyexpellingthemfromwithin。Forevenwe，atthepresenttime，cannotboastofbeingentirelyfreefromthedangerofsuchoutsideinfluences；butaswehave，onthisveryevening——ifrumouristobebelieved——fortunatelygotridofcertainelementsofthatnature，soonerthanwastobeexpected——
Voices：Order，order!
Rorlund：——Iregardtheoccurrenceasahappyomenforourundertaking。
Myalludingtosuchathingatsuchamomentonlyemphasisesthefactthatthehouseinwhichwearenowstandingisonewheretheclaimsofmoralityareesteemedevenabovetiesoffamily。
Voices：Hear，hear!Bravo!
Bernick（atthesamemoment）：Allowme——
Rorlund：Ihaveonlyafewmorewordstosay，Mr。Bernick。Whatyouhavedoneforyournativeplaceweallknowhasnotbeendonewithanyunderlyingideaofitsbringingtangibleprofittoyourself。But，nevertheless，youmustnotrefusetoacceptaslighttokenofgratefulappreciationatthehandsofyourfellow—citizens——leastofallatthisimportantmomentwhen，accordingtotheassurancesofpracticalmen，wearestandingonthethresholdofanewera。
Voices：Bravo!Hear，hear!
（RORLUNDaignstotheservants，whobringforwardthebasket。Duringthefollowingspeech，membersoftheCommitteetakeoutandpresentthevariousobjectsmentioned。）
Rorlund：Andso，Mr。Bernick，wehavethepleasureofpresentingyouwiththissilvercoffee—service。Letitgraceyourboardwheninthefuture，assoofteninthepast，wehavethehappinessofbeingassembledunderyourhospitableroof。
You，too，gentlemen，whohavesogenerouslysecondedtheleaderofourcommunity，weasktoacceptasmallsouvenir。
Thissilvergobletisforyou，Mr。Rummel。Manyatimehaveyou，amidsttheclinkofglasses，defendedtheinterestsofyourfellow—citizensinwell—chosenwords；mayyouoftenfindsimilarworthyopportunitiestoraiseandemptythisgobletinsomepatriotictoast!
Toyou，Mr。Sandstad，Ipresentthisalbumcontainingphotographsofyourfellow—citizens。Yourwell—knownandconspicuousliberalityhasputyouinthepleasantpositionofbeingabletonumberyourfriendsamongstallclassesofsociety。
Andtoyou，Mr。Vigeland，IhavetoofferthisbookofFamilyDevotions，printedonvellumandhandsomelybound，tograceyourstudytable。Themellowinginfluenceoftimehasledyoutotakeanearnestviewoflife；yourzealincarryingoutyourdailydutieshas，foralongperiodofyears，beenpurifiedandenobledbythoughtsofhigherandholierthings。（Turnstothecrowd。）Andnow，friends，threecheersforMr。Bernickandhisfellow—workers!ThreecheersforthePillarsofourSociety!
Thewholecrowd：Bernick!PillarsofSociety!Hurrah—hurrah—hurrah!
Lona：Icongratulateyou，brother—in—law。
（Anexpectanthushfollows。）
Bernick（speakingseriouslyandslowly）：Fellowcitizens——yourspokesmansaidjustnowthattonightwearestandingonthethresholdofanewera。Ihopethatwillprovetobethecase。Butbeforethatcancometopass，wemustlayfastholdoftruth——truthwhich，tilltonight，hasbeenaltogetherandinallcircumstancesastrangertothiscommunityofours。（Astonishmentamongtheaudience。）Tothatend，Imustbeginbydeprecatingthepraiseswithwhichyou，Mr。Rorlund，accordingtocustomonsuchoccasions，haveoverwhelmedme。Idonotdeservethem；because，untiltoday，myactionshavebynomeansbeendisinterested。EventhoughImaynotalwayshaveaimedatpecuniaryprofit，Iatalleventsrecognisenowthatacravingforpower，influenceandpositionhasbeenthemovingspiritofmostofmyactions。
Rummel（halfaloud）：Whatnext!
Bernick：Standingbeforemyfellowcitizens，Idonotreproachmyselfforthat；becauseIstillthinkIamentitledtoaplaceinthefrontrankofourcapablemenofaffairs。
Voices：Yes，yes，yes!
Bernick：ButwhatIchargemyselfwithisthatIhavesooftenbeenweakenoughtoresorttodeceitfulness，becauseIknewandfearedthetendencyofthecommunitytoespyuncleanmotivesbehindeverythingaprominentmanhereundertakes。AndnowIamcomingtoapointwhichwillillustratethat。
Rummel（uneasily）：Hm—hm!
Bernick：Therehavebeenrumoursofextensivepurchasesofpropertyoutsidethetown。Thesepurchaseshavebeenmadebyme——bymealone，andbynooneelse。（Murmursareheard：\"Whatdoeshesay？——He？——
Bernick？\"）Thepropertiesare，forthetimebeing，inmyhands。
NaturallyIhaveconfidedinmyfellow—workers，Mr。Rummel，Mr。
VigelandandMr。Sandstad，andweareallagreedthat——
Rummel：Itisnottrue!Proveit——proveit!
Vigeland：Wearenotallagreedaboutanything!
Sandstad：Well，reallyImustsay——!
Bernick：Thatisquitetrue——wearenotyetagreeduponthematterI
wasgoingtomention。ButIconfidentlyhopethatthesethreegentlemenwillagreewithmewhenIannouncetoyouthatIhavetonightcometothedecisionthatthesepropertiesshallbeexploitedasacompanyofwhichthesharesshallbeofferedforpublicsubscription；anyonethatwishescantakeshares。
Voices：Hurrah!ThreecheersforBernick!
Rummel（inalowvoice，toBERNICK）：Thisisthebasesttreachery——!
Sandstad（alsoinanundertone）：Soyouhavebeenfoolingus!
Vigeland：Well，then，deviltake——!GoodLord，whatamIsaying？
（Cheersareheardwithout。）
Bernick：Silence，gentlemen。Ihavenorighttothishomageyouofferme；becausethedecisionIhavejustcometodoesnotrepresentwhatwasmyfirstintention。Myintentionwastokeepthewholethingformyself；and，evennow，Iamofopinionthatthesepropertieswouldbeworkedtobestadvantageiftheyremainedinoneman’shands。Butyouareatlibertytochoose。Ifyouwishit，Iamwillingtoadministerthemtothebestofmyabilities。
Voices：Yes，yes，yes!
Bernick：But，firstofall，myfellowtownsmenmustknowmethoroughly。
Andleteachmanseektoknowhimselfthoroughly，too；andsoletitreallycometopassthattonightwebeginanewera。Theoldera——withitsaffectation，itshypocrisyanditsemptiness，itspretenceofvirtueanditsmiserablefearofpublicopinion——shallbeforuslikeamuseum，openforpurposesofinstruction；andtothatmuseumwewillpresent——shallwenot，gentlemen？——thecoffeeservice，andthegoblet，andthealbum，andtheFamilyDevotionsprintedonvellum，andhandsomelybound。
Rummel：Oh，ofcourse。
Vigeland（muttering）：Ifyouhavetakeneverythingelse，then——
Sandstad：Byallmeans。
Bernick：AndnowfortheprincipalreckoningIhavetomakewiththecommunity。Mr。Rorlundsaidthatcertainperniciouselementshadleftusthisevening。Icanaddwhatyoudonotyetknow。Themanreferredtodidnotgoawayalone；withhim，tobecomehiswife，went——
Lona（loudly）：DinaDorf!
Rorlund：What？
Mrs。Bernick：What？（Greatcommotion。）
Rorlund：Fled？Runaway——withhim!Impossible!
Bernick：Tobecomehiswife，Mr。Rorlund。AndIwilladdmore。（Inalowvoice，tohiswife。）Betty，bestrongtobearwhatiscoming。
（Aloud。）ThisiswhatIhavetosay：hatsofftothatman，forhehasnoblytakenanother’sguiltuponhisshoulders。Myfriends，Iwanttohavedonewithfalsehood；ithasverynearlypoisonedeveryfibreofmybeing。Youshallknowall。Fifteenyearsago，Iwastheguiltyman。
Mrs。Bernick（softlyandtremblingly）：Karsten!
Martha（similarly）：Ah，Johan——!
Lona：Nowatlastyouhavefoundyourself!
（Speechlessconsternationamongtheaudience。）
Bernick：Yes，friends，Iwastheguiltyone，andhewentaway。Thevileandlyingrumoursthatwerespreadabroadafterwards，itisbeyondhumanpowertorefutenow；butIhavenorighttocomplainofthat。ForfifteenyearsIhaveclimbeduptheladderofsuccessbythehelpofthoserumours；whethernowtheyaretocastmedownagain，ornot，eachofyoumustdecideinhisownmind。
Rorlund：Whatathunderbolt!Ourleadingcitizen——!（Inalowvoice，toBETTY。）HowsorryIamforyou，Mrs。Bernick!
Hilmar：Whataconfession!Well，Imustsay——!
Bernick：Butcometonodecisiontonight。Ientreateveryonetogohome——tocollecthisthoughts——tolookintohisownheart。Whenoncemoreyoucanthinkcalmly，thenitwillbeseenwhetherIhavelostorwonbyspeakingout。Goodbye!Ihavestillmuch——verymuch——torepentof；butthatconcernsmyownconscienceonly。Goodnight!Takeawayallthesesignsofrejoicing。Wemustallfeelthattheyareoutofplacehere。
Rorlund：Thattheycertainlyare。（InanundertonetoMRS。BERNICK。）
Runaway!Sothenshewascompletelyunworthyofme。（Louder，totheCommittee。）Yes，gentlemen，afterthisIthinkwehadbetterdisperseasquietlyaspossible。
Hilmar：How，afterthis，anyoneistomanagetoholdtheIdeal’sbannerhigh——Ugh!
（Meantimethenewshasbeenwhisperedfrommouthtomouth。Thecrowdgraduallydispersesfromthegarden。RUMMEL，SANDSTADandVIGELANDgoout，arguingeagerlybutinalowvoice。HILMARslinksawaytotheright。Whensilenceisrestored，thereonlyremainintheroomBERNICK，MRS。BERNICK，MARTHA，LONAandKRAP。）
Bernick：Betty，canyouforgiveme？
Mrs。Bernick（lookingathimwithasmile）：Doyouknow，Karsten，thatyouhaveopenedoutformethehappiestprospectIhavehadformanyayear？
Bernick：How？
Mrs。Bernick：Formanyyears，IhavefeltthatonceyouweremineandthatIhadlostyou。NowIknowthatyouneverhavebeenmineyet；butIshallwinyou。
Bernick（foldingherinhisarms）：Oh，Betty，youhavewonme。ItwasthroughLonathatIfirstlearnedreallytoknowyou。ButnowletOlafcometome。
Mrs。Bernick：Yes，youshallhavehimnow。Mr。Krap——!（TalkssoftlytoKRAPinthebackground。Hegoesoutbythegardendoor。Duringwhatfollows，theilluminationsandlightsinthehousesaregraduallyextinguished。）
Bernick（inalowvoice）：Thankyou，Lona——youhavesavedwhatwasbestinme——andforme。
Lona：DoyousupposeIwantedtodoanythingelse？
Bernick：Yes，wasthatso——ornot？Icannotquitemakeyouout。
Lona：Hm——
Bernick：Thenitwasnothatred？Notrevenge？Whydidyoucomeback，then？
Lona：Oldfriendshipdoesnotrust。
Bernick：Lona!
Lona：WhenJohantoldmeaboutthelie，Isworetomyselfthattheheroofmyyouthshouldstandfreeandtrue。
Bernick：WhatawretchIam!——andhowlittleIhavedeserveditofyou!
Lona。Oh，ifwewomenalwayslookedforwhatwedeserve，Karsten——!
（AUNEcomesinwithOLAFfromthegarden。）
Bernick（goingtomeetthem）：Olaf!
Olaf：Father，IpromiseIwillneverdoitagain——
Bernick：Neverrunaway？
Olaf：Yes，yes，Ipromiseyou，father。
Bernick：AndIpromiseyou，youshallneverhavereasonto。Forthefutureyoushallbeallowedtogrowup，notastheheirtomylife’swork，butasonewhohashisownlife’sworkbeforehim。
Olaf：AndshallIbeallowedtobewhatIlike，whenIgrowup？
Bernick：Yes。
Olaf。Oh，thankyou!ThenIwon’tbeapillarofsociety。
Bernick：No？Whynot？
Olaf：No——Ithinkitmustbesodull。
Bernick：Youshallbeyourself，Olaf；therestmaytakecareofitself——Andyou，Aune……
Aune：Iknow，Mr。Bernick；Iamdismissed。
Bernick：Weremaintogether，Aune；andforgiveme。
Aune：What？Theshiphasnotsailedtonight。
Bernick：Norwillitsailtomorrow，either。Igaveyoutooshortgrace。
Itmustbelookedtomorethoroughly。
Aune：Itshall，Mr。Bernick——andwiththenewmachines!
Bernick：Byallmeans——butthoroughlyandconscientiously。Therearemanyamonguswhoneedthoroughandconscientiousrepairs，Aune。Well，goodnight。
Aune：Good—night，sir——andthankyou，thankyou。（Goesout。）
Mrs。Bernick：Nowtheyareallgone。
Bernick：Andwearealone。Mynameisnotshininginlettersoffireanylonger；allthelightsinthewindowsareout。
Lona：Wouldyouwishthemlitagain？
Bernick：Notforanythingintheworld。WherehaveIbeen!Youwouldbehorrifiedifyouknew。IfeelnowasifIhadcomebacktomyrightsenses，afterbeingpoisoned。ButIfeelthisthatIcanbeyoungandhealthyagain。Oh，comenearer——comecloserroundme。Come，Betty!
Come，Olaf，myboy!Andyou，Martha——itseemstomeasifIhadneverseenyoualltheseyears。
Lona：No，Icanbelievethat。Yourcommunityisacommunityofbachelorsouls；youdonotseewomen。
Bernick：Thatisquitetrue；andforthatveryreason——thisisabargain，Lona——youmustnotleaveBettyandme。
Mrs。Bernick：No，Lona，youmustnot。
Lona：No，howcouldIhavethehearttogoawayandleaveyouyoungpeoplewhoarejustsettinguphousekeeping？AmInotyourfoster—mother？YouandI，Martha，thetwooldaunts——Whatareyoulookingat？
Martha：Lookhowtheskyisclearing，andhowlightitisoverthesea。
The\"PalmTree\"isgoingtobelucky。
Lona：Itcarriesitsgoodluckonboard。
Bernick：Andwe——wehavealongearnestdayofworkaheadofus；Imostofall。Butletitcome；onlykeepcloseroundmeyoutrue，loyalwomen。Ihavelearnedthistoo，intheselastfewdays；itisyouwomenthatarethepillarsofsociety。
Lona：Youhavelearnedapoorsortofwisdom，then，brother—in—law。
（Laysherhandfirmlyuponhisshoulder。）No，myfriend；thespiritoftruthandthespiritoffreedom——theyarethepillarsofsociety。