The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 06 (of 11)

Ladies! Gentlemen! [Softly.] Thora!

Father!

Oh, Doctor, Doctor, what have you done?done?

[With his glass in his hand, radiant with self-satisfaction.] Now to our places again! Hullo, Fieldbo! Come, join in—join in the League of Youth! The game’s going merrily!

[In front, on the left.] Yes, on my soul, the game’s going merrily!

An elegant morning-room, with entrance-door in the back. On the left, the door of the Chamberlain’s study; further back, a door leading to the drawing-room. On the right, a door leading to Ringdal’s offices; further forward, a window.

Thora is seated on the sofa, left, weeping. The Chamberlain paces angrily up and down.

Yes, now we have the epilogue—tears and lamentations——

Oh, that we had never seen that man!

What man?

That wretched Mr. Stensgård, of course.

You should rather say: Oh, that we had never seen that wretched Doctor.

Doctor Fieldbo?

Yes, Fieldbo, Fieldbo! Wasn’t it he that palmed off a parcel of lies upon me——?

No, my dear father, it was I.

You? Well, then, both of you! You were his accomplice—behind my back. A nice state of affairs!

Oh, father, if you only knew——

Oh, I know enough; more than enough; much more!

Good morning, Chamberlain! Good morning, Miss Bratsberg!

[Still pacing the room.] So you are there, are you—bird of evil omen!

Yes, it was a very unpleasant affair.

[Looking out at the window.] Oh, you think so?

You must have noticed how I kept my eye upon Stensgård all the evening. Unfortunately, when I heard there was to be a game of forfeits, I thought there was no danger——

[Stamping on the floor.] To be made a laughing-stock by such a windbag! What must my guests have thought of me? That I was mean enough to want to buy this creature, this—this——as Lundestad calls him!

Yes, but——

[Unnoticed by her father.] Don’t speak!

[After a short pause, turns to Fieldbo.] Tell me frankly, Doctor:—Am I really denser than the general run of people?

How can you ask such a question. Chamberlain?

Then how did it happen that I was probably the only person there who didn’t understand that that confounded speech was meant for me?

Shall I tell you why?

Certainly.

It is because you yourself regard your position in the district differently from other people.

I regard my position as my father before me regarded his. No one would ever have ventured to treat him so.

Your father died about the year 1830.

Oh, yes; many a barrier has broken down since that time. But, after all, it’s my own fault. I have mixed myself up too much with these good people. So now I must be content to have my name coupled with Anders Lundestad’s!

Well, frankly, I see no disgrace in that.

Oh, you know quite well what I mean. Of course I don’t plume myself on rank, or titles, or anything of that sort. But what I hold in honour, and expect others to hold in honour, is the integrity handed down in our family from generation to generation. What I mean is that when a man like Lundestad goes into public life, he cannot keep his character and his conduct entirely free from stain. In the general mud-throwing, he is sure to find himself bespattered. But they might leave me in peace; I stand outside their parties.

Not so entirely, Chamberlain; at least you were delighted so long as you thought it was Monsen that was attacked.

Don’t mention that fellow!—It is he that has relaxed the moral sense of the district. And now he has gone and turned my son’s head, confound him!

Erik’s?

Your son’s?

Yes; what tempted him to go and set up in business? It leads to nothing.

Why, my dear Chamberlain, he must live and——

Oh, with economy he could quite well live on the money that came to him from his mother.

He might perhaps live on it; but what could he live for?

For? Well, if he absolutely must have something to live for, hasn’t he qualified as a lawyer? He might live for his profession.

No, that he couldn’t do; it is against his nature. Then there was no official appointment he could well hope for; you have kept the management of your property in your own hands; and your son has no children to educate. Under these circumstances, when he sees tempting examples around him—people who have started from nothing and are worth their half million——

Their half million! Oh, come now, let us keep to the hundred thousands. But neither the half million nor the hundred thousands can be scraped together with perfectly clean hands;—I don’t mean in the eyes of the world; Heaven knows it is easy enough to keep within the law; but in respect to one’s own conscience. Of course my son cannot descend to anything questionable; so you may be quite sure Mr. Erik Bratsberg’s financial operations won’t bring in any half millions.

Good-morning! Is Erik not here?

Good-morning, child! Are you looking for your husband?

Yes, he said he was coming here. Mr. Monsen called upon him early this morning, and then——

Monsen? Does Monsen come to your house?

Now and then; generally on business. Why, my dear Thora, what’s the matter? Have you been crying?

Oh, it’s nothing.

No, it’s not nothing! At home Erik was out of humour, and here——I can see it in your looks: there is something wrong. What is it?

Nothing you need trouble about, at any rate. You are too dainty to carry burdens, my little Selma. Go into the drawing-room for the present. If Erik said he was coming, he will be here soon, no doubt.

Come, Thora—and be sure you don’t let me sit in a draught! [Embracing her.] Oh, I could hug the life out of you, my sweet Thora!

So they are hand in glove, are they, the two speculators! They should go into partnership. Monsen and Bratsberg—how nice it would sound! [A knock at the door in the back.] Come in!

[Recoiling a step.] What is this?

Yes, here I am again, Chamberlain!

So I see.

Are you mad, Stensgård?

You retired early yesterday evening. When Fieldbo had explained to me how matters stood, you had already——

Excuse me—all explanations are superfluous——

I understand that; therefore I have not come to make any.

Oh, indeed?

I know I have insulted you.

I know that too; and before I have you turned out, perhaps you will be good enough to tell me why you are here.

Because I love your daughter, Chamberlain!

What——!

What does he say, Doctor?

Ah, you can’t grasp the idea, Chamberlain. You are an old man; you have nothing to fight for——

And you presume to——?

I am here to ask for your daughter’s hand, Chamberlain.

You——you——? Won’t you sit down?

Thanks, I prefer to stand.

What do you say to this. Doctor?

Oh, Fieldbo is on my side; he is my friend; the only true friend I have.

No, no, man! Never in this world, if you——

Perhaps it was with this view that Doctor Fieldbo secured his friend’s introduction into my house?

You know me only by my exploits of yesterday and the day before. That is not enough. Besides, I am not the same man to-day that I was then. My intercourse with you and yours has fallen like spring showers upon my spirit, making it put forth new blossoms in a single night! You must not hurl me back into my sordid past. Till now, I have never been at home with the beautiful in life; it has always been beyond my reach——

But my daughter——?

Oh, I shall win her.

Indeed? H’m!

Yes, for I have will on my side. Remember what you told me yesterday. You were opposed to your son’s marriage—and see how it has turned out! You must put on the glasses of experience, as Fieldbo said——

Ah, that was what you meant?

Not in the least! My dear Chamberlain, let me speak to him alone——

Nonsense; I have nothing to speak to you about. Now, pray be reasonable, Chamberlain! A family like yours needs new alliances, or its brains stagnate——

Oh, this is too much!

Now, now, don’t get angry! These high-and-mighty airs are unworthy of you—of course you know they are all nonsense at bottom. You shall see how much you’ll value me when you come to know me. Yes, yes; you shall value me—both you and your daughter! I will make her——

What do you think of this, Doctor?

I think it’s madness.

Yes, it would be in you; but I, you see—I have a mission to fulfil on God’s beautiful earth;—I am not to be deterred by nonsensical prejudices.prejudices.

Mr. Stensgård, there is the door.

You show me——?

The door!

Don’t do that!

Out with you! You are an adventurer,adventurer, an a—a—confound my memory! You’re a——

What am I?

You are—that other thing—it’s on the tip of my tongue——

Beware how you block my career!

Beware? Of what?

I will attack you in the papers, persecute you, libel you, do all I can to undermine your reputation. You shall shriek under the lash. You shall seem to see spirits in the air raining blows upon you. You shall huddle together in dread, and crouch with your arms bent over your head to ward off the strokes—you shall try to creep into shelter——

Creep into shelter yourself—in a madhouse; that is the proper place for you!

Ha-ha; that is a cheap retort; but you know no better, Mr. Bratsberg! I tell you the wrath of the Lord is in me. It is His will you are opposing. He has destined me for the light—beware how you cast a shadow!—Well, I see I shall make no way with you to-day; but that matters nothing. I only ask you to speak to your daughter—to prepare her—to give her the opportunity of choosing! Reflect, and look around you. Where can you expect to find a son-in-law among these plodding dunces? Fieldbo says she is deep and steadfast and true. So now you know just how matters stand. Good-bye, Chamberlain—I leave you to choose between my friendship and my enmity. Good-bye!

So it has come to this! This is how they dare to treat me in my own house!

Stensgård dares; no one else would.

He to-day; others to-morrow.

Let them come; I shall keep them off; I would go through fire and water for you——!

Yes, you who have caused all the mischief!—H’m; that Stensgård is the most impudent scoundrel I have ever known! And yet, after all—deuce take me if there isn’t something I like about him.

He has possibilities——

He has openness, Dr Fieldbo! He doesn’t go playing his own game behind one’s back, like so many other people; he—he——!

It’s not worth disputing about. Only be firm, Chamberlain; no, and no again, to Stensgård——!

Oh, keep your advice to yourself! You may rely upon it that neither he nor any one else——

[Enters by the door on the right.] Excuse me, Chamberlain; one word——

What? In your room?

He came in by the back way, and begs you to see him.

H’m.—Oh, Doctor, just go into the drawing-room for a moment; there’s some one here who——But don’t say a word to Selma of Mr. Stensgård and his visit. She must be kept outside all this business. As for my daughter, I should prefer that you should say nothing to her either; but——Oh, what’s the use——? Please go now.

[At the door.] I beg ten thousand pardons, sir——

Oh, come in, come in!

I trust your family is in good health?

Thank you. Is there anything you want?

I can’t quite put it that way. Thank heaven, I’m one of those that have got pretty nearly all they can want.

Oh, indeed? That is a good deal to say.

But I’ve had to work for it, Chamberlain. Oh, I know you regard my work with no very friendly eye.

I cannot suppose that your work is in any way affected by my way of regarding it.

Who knows? At any rate, I’m thinking of gradually withdrawing from business.

Really?

The luck has been on my side, I may tell you. I’ve gone ahead as far as I care to; so now I think it’s about time to slack off a little——

Well, I congratulate both you—and other people.

And if I could at the same time do you a service, Chamberlain——

Me?

When the Langerud woods were put up to auction five years ago, you made a bid for them——

Yes, but you outbade me, and they were knocked down to you.

You can have them now, with the saw-mills and all appurtenances——

After all your sinful cutting and hacking——!

Oh, they’re worth a good deal still; and with your method of working, in a few years——

Thank you; unfortunately I must decline the proposal.

There’s a great deal of money in it, Chamberlain. As for me,—I may tell you I have a great speculation on hand; the stakes are large; I mean there’s a big haul to be made—a hundred thousand or so——

A hundred thousand? That is certainly no trifle.

Ha ha ha! A nice round sum to add to the pile. But when you’re going into a great battle you need reserve forces, as the saying goes. There’s not much ready money about; the names that are worth anything are rather used up——

Yes, certain people have taken care of that.

It’s a case of you scratch me, I scratch you. Well, Chamberlain, is it to be a bargain? You shall have the woods at your own figure——

I will not have them at any figure, Mr. Monsen.

Well, one good offer deserves another. Will you help me, sir?

What do you mean?

Of course I’ll give good security. I have plenty of property. Look here—these papers—just let me explain my position to you.

[Waving the papers aside.] Is it pecuniary aid you want?

Not ready money; oh, no! But your support, Chamberlain. Of course I’ll pay for it—and give security, and——

And you come to me with such a proposal as this?

Yes, precisely to you. I know you’ve often let bygones be bygones when a man was in real straits.

Well, in a way, I must thank you for your good opinion—especially at a time like this; but nevertheless——

Won’t you tell me, Chamberlain, what sets you against me?

Oh, what would be the use?

It might lead to a better understanding between us. I’ve never stood in your way that I know of.

You think not? Then let me tell you of one case in which you have stood in my way. I founded the Iron-works Savings Bank for the benefit of my employees and others. But then you must needs set up as a banker; people take their savings to you——