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。