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。