 | The League of Youth |  |
ACT SECOND.
A garden-room at the Chamberlain's, elegantly furnished
with a piano, flowers, and rare plants. Entrance door
at the back. On the left, a door leading to the diningroom; on the right, several glass doors lead out to the
garden.
ASLAKSEN stands at the entrance door. A MAID-SERVANT
is carrying some dishes of fruit into the dining-room.
Yes, but I tell you they're still at table; you must call again.
Aslaksen.
I'd rather wait, if I may.
The Maid.
Oh, yes, if you like. You can sit there for the
present.
[She goes into the dining-room. ASLAKSEN takes a seat near the door. Pause. DR. FIELDBO enters from the back.
Fieldbo.
Ah, good evening, Aslaksen: are you here?
The Maid
(returning).
You're late this evening, sir.
Fieldbo.
I was called to see a patient.
The Maid.
The Chamberlain and Miss Bratsberg have both been inquiring about you.
Fieldbo.
Indeed?
The Maid.
Yes. Won't you go in at once, sir; or shall I say that--?
Fieldbo.
No, no; never mind. I can have a snack afterwards; I shall wait here in the meantime.
The Maid.
Dinner will soon be over. [She goes out by the back. 148
Aslaksen
(after a
pause).
How can you resist such a
dinner, Doctor--with dessert, and fine wines, and all sorts
of good things?
Fieldbo.
Why, man, it seems to me we get too many good things hereabouts, rather than too few.
Aslaksen.
There I can't agree with you.
Fieldbo.
H'm. I suppose you are waiting for some one.
Aslaksen.
Yes, I am.
Fieldbo.
And are things going tolerably at home? Your wife--?
Aslaksen.
In bed, as usual; coughing and wasting away.
Fieldbo.
And your second child?
Aslaksen.
Oh, he's a cripple for the rest of his days; you know that. That's our luck, you see; what the devil's the use of talking about it?
Fieldbo.
Let me look at you, Aslaksen!
Aslaksen.
Well; what do you want to see?
Fieldbo.
You've been drinking to-day.
Aslaksen.
Yes, and yesterday, too.
Fieldbo.
Well, yesterday there was some excuse for it; but to-day--
Aslaksen.
What about your friends in there, then? Aren't they drinking, too?
Fieldbo.
Yes, my dear Aslaksen; that's a fair retort; but circumstances differ so in this world.
Aslaksen.
I didn't choose my circumstances.
Fieldbo.
No; God chose them for you.
Aslaksen.
No, he didn't--men chose them. Daniel Heire chose, when he took me from the printing-house and sent me to college. And Chamberlain Bratsberg chose, when he ruined Daniel Heire and sent me back to the printing- house.
Fieldbo.
Now you know that's not true. The Chamberlain did not ruin Daniel Heire; Daniel Heire ruined himself.
Aslaksen.
Perhaps! But how dared Daniel Heire ruin
Fieldbo.
It's base of you to say that. Daniel Heire acted with the best intentions.
Aslaksen.
What good do his "best intentions" do me? You hear them in there, clinking glasses and drinking healths? Well, I, too, have sat at that table in my day, dressed in purple and fine linen, like the best of them--! That was just the thing for me, that was--for me, that has read so much and had thirsted so long to have my share in all the good things of life. Well, well; how long was Jeppe in Paradise?[1] Smash, crash! down you go--and my fine fortunes fell to pi, as we printers say.
Fieldbo.
But, after all, you were not so badly off; you had your trade to fall back upon.
Aslaksen.
That's easily said. After getting out of your class you can't get into it again. They took the ground from under my feet, and shoved me out on the slippery ice-- and then they abuse me because I stumble.
Fieldbo.
Well, far be it from me to judge you harshly--
Aslaksen.
No; you have no right to.--What a queer jumble it is! Daniel Heire, and Providence, and the Chamberlain, and Destiny, and Circumstance--and I myself in the middle of it! I've often thought of unravelling it all and writing a book about it; but it's so cursedly entangled that-- (Glances towards the door on the left.) Ah! They're rising from table.
Stensgard.
I don't know my way here yet; you must tell me where I am to take you, ladies.
Selma.
Out into the air; you must see the garden.
Stensgard.
Oh, that will be delightful. They go out by the foremost glass door on the right.
Fieldbo.
Why, by all that's wonderful, there's Stensgard!
Aslaksen.
It's him I want to speak to. I've had a fine chase after him; fortunately I met Daniel Heire-- DANIEL HEIRE and ERIK BRATSBERG enter from the dining-room.
Heire.
Hee-hee! Excellent sherry, upon my word. I've tasted nothing like it since I was in London.
Erik.
Yes, it's good, isn't it? It puts life into you.
Heire.
Well, well--it's a real pleasure to see one's money so well spent.
Erik.
How so? (Laughing.) Oh, yes; I see, I see.
[They go into the garden.
Fieldbo.
You want to speak to Stensgard, you say?
Aslaksen.
Yes.
Fieldbo.
On business?
Aslaksen.
Of course; the report of the fete--
Fieldbo.
Well, then, you must wait out there in the meantime.
Aslaksen.
In the passage?
Fieldbo.
In the anteroom. This is scarcely the time or
Aslaksen.
Very well; I'll bide my time.
[Goes out by the back.
CHAMBERLAIN BRATSBERG, LUNDESTAD, RINGDAL, and one
or two other gentlemen come out of the dining-room.
The Chamberlain
(conversing
with LUNDESTAD).
Violent,
you say? Well, perhaps the form wasn't all that could be
desired; but there were real gems in the speech, I can assure
you.
Lundestad.
Well, if you are satisfied, Chamberlain, I have no right to complain.
The Chamberlain.
Why should you? Ah, here's the Doctor! Starving, I'll be bound.
Fieldbo.
It doesn't matter, Chamberlain. The servants will attend to me. I feel myself almost at home here, you know.
The Chamberlain.
Oh, you do, do you? I wouldn't be in too great a hurry.
Fieldbo.
What? Am I taking too great a liberty? You yourself permitted me to--
The Chamberlain.
What I permitted, I permitted. Well, well, make yourself at home, and forage for something to eat. (Slaps him lightly on the shoulder and turns to LUNDESTAD.) Now, here's one you may call an adventurer and --and the other thing I can't remember.
Fieldbo.
Why, Chamberlain--!
Lundestad.
No, I assure you--
The Chamberlain.
No arguments after dinner; it's bad
for the digestion. They'll serve the coffee outside presently.
[Goes with the guests into the garden.
Lundestad
(to
FIELDBO).
Did you ever see the Chamberlain so strange as he is to-day?
Fieldbo.
I noticed it yesterday evening.
Lundestad.
He will have it that I called Mr. Stensgard an adventurer and something else of that sort.
Fieldbo.
Oh, well, Mr. Lundestad, what if you did? Excuse me; I must go and talk to the ladies.
[Goes out to the right.
Lundestad
(to RINGDAL, who is
arranging a card table).
How do you account for Mr. Stensgard's appearance here
to-day?
Ringdal
Yes, how? He wasn't on the original list.
Lundestad.
An afterthought, then? After his attack on the Chamberlain yesterday--?
Ringdal
Yes, can you understand it?
Lundestad.
Understand it? Oh, yes, I suppose I can.
Ringdal
(more softly).
You think the Chamberlain is
afraid of him?
Lundestad.
I think he is prudent--that's what I think.
[They go up to the back conversing, and so out
into the garden. At the same time SELMA and
STENSGARD enter by the foremost door on the
right.
Selma.
Yes, just look--over the tops of the trees you can see the church tower and all the upper part of the town.
Stensgard.
So you can; I shouldn't have thought so.
Selma.
Don't you think it's a beautiful view?
Stensgard.
Everything is beautiful here: the garden, and the view, and the sunshine, and the people! Great heaven, how beautiful it all is! And you live here all the summer?
Selma.
No, not my husband and I; we come and go. We have a big, showy house in town, much finer than this; you'll see it soon.
Stensgard.
Perhaps your family live in town?
Selma.
My family? Who are my family?
Stensgard.
Oh, I didn't know--
Selma.
We fairy princesses have no family.
Stensgard.
Fairy princesses?
Selma.
At most we have a stepmother--
Stensgard.
A witch, yes! So you are a princess!
Selma.
Princess of all the sunken palaces, whence you hear the soft music on midsummer nights. Doctor Fieldbo thinks it must be pleasant to be a princess; but I must tell you--
Erik
Bratsberg (coming from the garden). Ah, at last I find the little lady!
Selma.
The little lady is telling Mr. Stensgard the story of her life.
Erik.
Oh, indeed. And what part does the husband play in the little lady's story?
Selma.
The Prince, of course. (To STENSGARD.) You know the prince always comes and breaks the spell, and then all ends happily, and every one calls and congratulates, and the fairy-tale is over.
Stensgard.
Oh, it's too short.
Selma.
Perhaps--in a way.
Erik
(putting his arm round
her waist).
But a new
fairy-tale grows out of the old one, and in it the Princess
becomes a Queen!
Selma.
On the same conditions as real Princesses?
Erik.
What condition?
Selma.
They must go into exile--to a foreign kingdom.
Erik.
A cigar, Mr. Stensgard?
Stensgard.
Thank you, not just now. DOCTOR FIELDBO and THORA enter from the garden.
Selma
(Going toward
them).
Is that you, Thora dear?
I hope you're not ill?
Thora.
I? No.
Selma.
Oh, but I'm sure you must be; you seem to be always consulting the doctor of late.
Thora.
No, I assure you--
Selma.
Nonsense; let me feel your pulse! You are
Fieldbo.
Everything has its time.
Thora.
Would you rather have me freezing--?
Selma.
No, a medium temperature is the best--ask my husband.
The Chamberlain
(enters from
the garden).
The whole
family gathered in secret conclave? That's not very polite
to the guests.
Thora.
I am just going, father dear--
The Chamberlain.
Aha, it is you the ladies are paying court to, Mr. Stensgard! I must look to this.
Thora
(softly to
FIELDBO).
Remain here!
[She goes into the garden.
Erik
(offers SELMA his
arm).
Has Madame any objection--?
Selma.
Come!
[They go out to the right.
The Chamberlain
(looking after
them).
It's impossible
to get these two separated.
Fieldbo.
It would be sinful to try.
The Chamberlain.
Fools that we are! How Providence blesses us in spite of ourselves. (Calls out.) Thora, Thora, do look after Selma! Get a shawl for her, and don't let her run about so: she'll catch cold! How short-sighted we mortals are, Doctor! Do you know any cure for that disease?
Fieldbo.
The spectacles of experience; through them you will see more clearly a second time.
The Chamberlain.
You don't say so! Thanks for the advice. But since you feel yourself at home here, you must really pay a little attention to your guests.
Fieldbo.
Certainly; come, Stensgard, shall we--?
The Chamberlain.
Oh, no, no--there's my old friend Heire out there--
Fieldbo.
He thinks himself at home here, too.
The Chamberlain.
Ha, ha, ha! So he does.
Fieldbo.
Well, we two will join forces, and do our best.
[Goes into the garden.
Stensgard.
You were speaking of Daniel Heire, Chamberlain. I must say I was rather surprised to see him here.
The Chamberlain.
Were you? Mr. Heire and I are old school and college friends. Besides, we have had a good deal to do with each other in many ways since--
Stensgard.
Yes, Mr. Heire was good enough to give his own account of some of these transactions, yesterday evening.
The Chamberlain.
H'm!
Stensgard.
Had it not been for him, I certainly should not have let myself boil over as I did. But he has a way of speaking of people and things, that--in short, he has a vile tongue in his head.
The Chamberlain.
My dear young friend--Mr. Heire is my guest; you must not forget that. My house is liberty hall, with only one reservation: my guests must not be discussed to their disadvantage.
Stensgard.
I beg your pardon, I'm sure--!
The Chamberlain.
Oh, never mind; you belong to the younger generation, that's not so punctilious. As for Mr. Heire, I don't think you really know him. I, at any rate, owe Mr. Heire a great deal.
Stensgard.
Yes, he gave one to understand; but I didn't think--
The Chamberlain.
I owe him the best part of our domestic happiness, Mr. Stensgard! I owe him my daughter-in- law. Yes, that is really so. Daniel Heire was kind to her in her childhood. She was a youthful prodigy; she gave concerts when she was only ten years old. I daresay you have heard her spoken of--Selma Sjoblom.[2]
Stensgard.
Sjoblom? Yes, of course; her father was Swedish?
The Chamberlain.
Yes, a music-teacher. He came here many years ago. Musicians, you know, are seldom millionaires; and their habits are not always calculated to--; in short, Mr. Heire has always had an eye for talent; he was struck with the child, and had her sent to Berlin; and then, when her father was dead and Heire's fortunes were on the wane, she returned to Christiania, where she was, of course, taken up by the best people. That was how my son happened to fall in with her.
Stensgard.
Then in that way old Daniel Heire has indeed been an instrument for good--
The Chamberlain.
That is how one thing leads to another in this life, you see. We are all instruments, Mr. Stensgard; you, like the rest of us; an instrument of wrath, I suppose--
Stensgard.
Oh, don't speak of it, Chamberlain. I am utterly ashamed--
The Chamberlain.
Ashamed?
Stensgard.
It was most unbecoming--
The Chamberlain.
The form was perhaps open to criticism, but the intention was excellent. And now I want to ask you, in future, when you are contemplating any move of the sort, just to come to me and tell me of it openly, and without reserve. You know we all want to act for the best; and it is my duty--
Stensgard.
You will permit me to speak frankly to you?
The Chamberlain.
Of course I will. Do you think I haven't long realised that matters here have in some ways taken a most undesirable turn? But what was I to do? In the late King's time I lived for the most part in Stockholm. I am old now; and besides, it is not in my nature to take the lead in reforms, or to throw myself personally into the turmoil of public affairs. You, on the other hand, Mr. Stensgard, have every qualification for them; so let us hold together.
Stensgard.
Thanks, Chamberlain; many, many thanks! RINGDAL and DANIEL HEIRE enter from the garden.
Ringdal
And I tell you it must be a misunderstanding.
Heire.
Indeed? I like that! How should I misunderstand my own ears?
The Chamberlain.
Anything new, Heire?
Heire.
Only that Anders Lundestad is going over to the Stonelee party.
The Chamberlain.
Oh, you're joking!
Heire.
I beg your pardon, my dear sir; I have it from his own lips. Mr. Lundestad intends, on account of failing health, to retire from political life; you can draw your own conclusions from that.
Stensgard.
He told you so himself?
Heire.
Of course he did. He made the momentous announcement to an awe-struck circle down in the garden; hee-hee!
The Chamberlain.
Why, my dear Ringdal, what can be the meaning of this?
Heire.
Oh, it's not difficult to guess.
The Chamberlain.
Indeed it is, though. This is a most
important affair for the district. Come along, Ringdal; we
must find the man himself.
[He and RINGDAL go down the garden.
Fieldbo
(entering by the
furthest back garden-door).
Has the Chamberlain gone out?
Heire.
Sh! The sages are deliberating! Great news Doctor! Lundestad is going to resign.
Fieldbo.
Oh, impossible!
Stensgard.
Can you understand it?
Heire.
Ah, now we may look out for real sport. It's the League of Youth that's beginning to work, Mr. Stensgard. Do you know what you should call your League? I'll tell you some other time.
Stensgard.
Do you think it's really our League--?
Heire.
Not the least doubt about it. So we're to have
the pleasure of sending our respected friend Mr. Mons Monsen to Parliament! I wish he were off already;--I'd give him
a lift with pleasure-- I say no more; hee-hee!
[Goes into the garden.
Stensgard.
Tell me, Fieldbo--how do you explain all this?
Fieldbo.
There are other things still more difficult to explain. How come you to be here?
Stensgard.
I? Like the rest, of course--by invitation.
Fieldbo.
I hear you were invited yesterday evening-- after your speech--
Stensgard.
What then?
Fieldbo.
How could you accept the invitation?
Stensgard.
What the deuce was I to do? I couldn't insult these good people.
Fieldbo.
Indeed! You couldn't? What about your speech then?
Stensgard.
Nonsense! It was principles I attacked in my speech, not persons.
Fieldbo.
And how do you account for the Chamberlain's invitation?
Stensgard.
Why, my dear friend, there can only be one way of accounting for it.
Fieldbo.
Namely, that the Chamberlain is afraid of you?
Stensgard.
By heaven, he shall have no reason to be! He is a gentleman.
Fieldbo.
That he is.
Stensgard.
Isn't it touching the way the old man has taken this affair? And how lovely Miss Bratsberg looked when she brought me the letter!
Fieldbo.
But look here--they haven't mentioned the scene of yesterday, have they?
Stensgard.
Not a word; they have far too much tact for
Fieldbo.
I strongly advise you not to! You don't know the Chamberlain--
Stensgard.
Very well; then my acts shall speak for me.
Fieldbo.
You won't break with the Stonelee party?
Stensgard.
I shall bring about a reconciliation. I have my League; it's a power already, you see.
Fieldbo.
By-the-bye, while I remember--we were speaking of Miss Monsen--I advised you to go in and win--
Stensgard.
Oh, there's no hurry--
Fieldbo.
But listen; I have been thinking it over: you had better put all that out of your head.
Stensgard.
I believe you are right. If you marry into an underbred family, you marry the whole tribe of them.
Fieldbo.
Yes, and there are other reasons--
Stensgard.
Monsen is an underbred fellow; I see that now.
Fieldbo.
Well, polish is not his strong point.
Stensgard.
No, indeed it's not! He goes and speaks ill of his guests; that's ungentlemanly. His rooms all reek of stale tobacco--
Fieldbo.
My dear fellow, how is it you haven't noticed the stale tobacco before?
Stensgard.
It's the contrast that does it. I made a false start when I settled here. I fell into the clutches of a clique, and they bewildered me with their clamour. But there shall be an end to that! I won't go and wear my life out as a tool in the hands of self-interest or coarse stupidity.
Fieldbo.
But what will you do with your League?
Stensgard.
The League shall remain as it is; it's founded on a pretty broad basis. Its purpose is to counteract noxious influences; and I am just beginning to realise what side the noxious influences come from.
Fieldbo.
But do you think the "Youth" will see it in the same light?
Stensgard.
They shall! I have surely a right to expect fellows like that to bow before my superior insight.
Fieldbo.
But if they won't?
Stensgard.
Then they can go their own way. I have done with them. You don't suppose I am going to let my life slip into a wrong groove, and never reach the goal, for the sake of mere blind, pig-headed consistency!
Fieldbo.
What do you call the goal?
Stensgard.
A career that gives scope for my talents, and fulfills my aspirations.
Fieldbo.
No vague phrases! What do you mean by your goal?
Stensgard.
Well, to you I can make a clean breast of it. My goal is this: in the course of time to get into Parliament, perhaps into the Ministry, and to marry happily into a family of means and position.
Fieldbo.
Oh, indeed! And by help of the Chamberlain's social connections you intend to--?
Stensgard.
I intend to reach the goal by my own exertions! I must and will reach it; and without help from any one. It will take time, I daresay; but never mind! Meanwhile I shall enjoy life here, drinking in beauty and sunshine--
Fieldbo.
Here?
Stensgard.
Yes, here! Here there are fine manners; life moves gracefully here; the very floors seem laid to be trodden only by lacquered shoes. Here the arm-chairs are deep and the ladies sink exquisitely into them. Here conversation moves lightly and elegantly, like a game at battledore; here no blunders come plumping in to make an awkward silence. Oh, Fieldbo--here I feel for the first time what distinction means! Yes, we have indeed an aristocracy of our own; a little circle; an aristocracy of culture; and to it I will belong. Don't you yourself feel the refining influence of this place? Don't you feel that wealth here loses its grossness? When I think of Monsen's money, I seem to see
Fieldbo.
He is, indeed.
Stensgard.
And the son--alert, straightforward, capable!
Fieldbo.
Certainly.
Stensgard.
And then the daughter-in-law! Isn't she a pearl? Good God, what a rich, what a fascinating nature!
Fieldbo.
Thora--Miss Bratsberg has that, too.
Stensgard.
Oh, yes; but she is less remarkable.
Fieldbo.
Oh, you don't know her. You don't know how deep, and steadfast, and true her nature is.
Stensgard.
But, oh, the daughter-in-law! So frank, almost reckless; and yet so appreciative, so irresistible
Fieldbo.
Why, I really believe you're in love with her.
Stensgard.
With a married woman? Are you crazy? What good would that do me? No, but I am falling in love --I can feel that plainly. Yes, she is indeed deep, and steadfast, and true.
Fieldbo.
Who?
Stensgard.
Miss Bratsberg, of course.
Fieldbo.
What? You're never thinking of--?
Stensgard.
Yes, by heaven I am!
Fieldbo.
I assure you it's quite out of the question.
Stensgard.
Ho-ho! Will rules the world, my dear fellow! We shall see if it doesn't.
Fieldbo.
Why, this is the merest extravagance! Yesterday it was Miss Monsen--
Stensgard.
Oh, I was too hasty about that; besides, you yourself advised me not to--
Fieldbo.
I advise you most emphatically to dismiss all thought of either of them.
Stensgard.
Indeed! Perhaps you yourself think of throwing the handkerchief to one of them?
Fieldbo.
I? No, I assure you--
Stensgard.
Well, it wouldn't have mattered if you had. If people stand in my way and want to balk me of my future, why, I stick at nothing.
Fieldbo.
Take care I don't say the same!
Stensgard.
You! What right have you to pose as guardian and protector to Chamberlain Bratsberg's family?
Fieldbo.
I have at least the right of a friend.
Stensgard.
Pooh! that sort of talk won't do with me. Your motive is mere self-interest! It gratifies your petty vanity to imagine yourself cock-of-the-walk in this house; and so I am to be kept outside the pale.
Fieldbo.
That is the best thing that could happen to you. Here you are standing on hollow ground.
Stensgard.
Am I indeed? Many thanks. I shall manage to prop it up.
Fieldbo.
Try; but I warn you, it will fall through with you first.
Stensgard.
Ho-ho! So you are intriguing against me, are you? I'm glad I have found it out. I know you now; you are my enemy, the only one I have here.
Fieldbo.
Indeed I am not.
Stensgard.
Indeed you are! You have always been so, ever since our school-days. Just look around here and see how every one appreciates me, stranger as I am. You, on the other hand, you who know me, have never appreciated me. That is the radical weakness of your character--you can never appreciate any one. What did you do in Christiania but go about from tea-party to tea-party, spreading yourself out in little witticisms? That sort of thing brings its own punishment! You dull your sense for all that makes life worth living, for all that is ennobling and inspiring; and presently you get left behind, fit for nothing.
Fieldbo.
Am I fit for nothing?
Stensgard.
Have you ever been fit to appreciate me?
Fieldbo.
What was I to appreciate in you?
Stensgard.
My will, if nothing else. Every one else appreciates
Fieldbo.
Mr. Mons Monsen and his ditto--! And by- the-bye, that reminds me--there's some one out here waiting for you--
Stensgard.
Who?
Fieldbo
(going towards the
back).
One who appreciates
you. (Opens the door and calls.) Aslaksen, come in!
Stensgard.
Aslaksen?
Aslaksen
(entering).
Ah, at last!
Fieldbo.
Good-bye for the present; I won't intrude upon
friends in council.
[Goes into the garden.
Stensgard.
What in the devil's name do you want here?
Aslaksen.
I must speak to you. You promised me yesterday an account of the founding of the League, and--
Stensgard.
I can't give it you; it must wait till another time.
Aslaksen.
Impossible, Mr. Stensgard; the paper appears to-morrow morning.
Stensgard.
Nonsense! It has all to be altered. The matter has entered on a new phase; new forces have come into play. What I said about Chamberlain Bratsberg must be entirely recast before it can appear.
Aslaksen.
Oh, that about the Chamberlain, that's in type already.
Stensgard.
Then it must come out of type again.
Aslaksen.
Not go in?
Stensgard.
I won't have it published in that form. Why do you stare at me? Do you think I don't know how to manage the affairs of the League?
Aslaksen.
Oh, certainly; but you must let me tell you--
Stensgard.
Not arguing, Aslaksen; that I can't stand and won't stand!
Aslaksen.
Do you know, Mr. Stensgard, that you are
Stensgard.
No; I know nothing of the sort.
Aslaksen.
But you are. Last winter, before you came here, my paper was looking up. I edited it myself, I must tell you, and I edited it on a principle.
Stensgard.
You?
Aslaksen.
Yes, I!--I said to myself: it's the great public that supports a paper; now the great public is the bad public--that comes of the local situation; and the bad public will have a bad paper. So you see I edited it--
Stensgard.
Badly! Yes, that's undeniable.
Aslaksen.
Well, and I prospered by it. But then you came and brought ideas into the district. The paper took on a colour, and then Lundestad's supporters all fell away. The subscribers that are left won't pay their subscriptions--
Stensgard.
Ah, but the paper has become a good one.
Aslaksen.
I can't live on a good paper. You were to make things lively; you were to grapple with abuses, as you promised yesterday. The bigwigs were to be pilloried; the paper was to be filled with things people were bound to read--and now, you leave me in the lurch--
Stensgard.
Ho-ho! You think I am going to keep you supplied with libels! No, thank you, my good sir!
Aslaksen.
Mr. Stensgard, you mustn't drive me to desperation, or you'll repent it.
Stensgard.
What do you mean?
Aslaksen.
I mean that I must make the paper pay in another way. Heaven knows I should be sorry to do it. Before you came I made an honest living out of accidents and suicides and other harmless things, that often hadn't even happened. But now you have turned everything topsy- turvy; people now want very different fare--
Stensgard.
Just let me tell you this: if you break loose
Aslaksen
(pale).
You wouldn't do that!
Stensgard.
Yes, I would; and you'll see I can edit a paper so as to appeal to the great public.
Aslaksen.
Then I'll go this instant to Chamberlain Bratsberg--
Stensgard.
You? What have you to do with him?
Aslaksen.
What have you to do with him? Do you think I don't know why you are invited here? It's because he is afraid of you, and of what you may do; and you are making capital of that. But if he's afraid of what you may do, he'll be no less afraid of what I may print; and I will make capital of that!
Stensgard.
Would you dare to? A wretched creature like you--!
Aslaksen.
I'll soon show you. If your speech is to be kept out of the paper, the Chamberlain shall pay me for keeping it out.
Stensgard.
Try it; just try it! You're drunk, fellow--!
Aslaksen.
Only in moderation. But I'll fight like a lion if you try to take my poor crust out of my mouth. Little you know what sort of a home mine is: a bedridden wife, a crippled child--
Stensgard.
Off with you! Do you think I want to be soiled with your squalor? What are your bedridden wives and deformed brats to me? If you stand in my way, if you dare so much as to obstruct a single one of my prospects, you shall be on the parish before the year's out!
Aslaksen.
I'll wait one day--
Stensgard.
Ah, you're coming to your senses.
Aslaksen.
I shall announce to the subscribers in a hand- bill that in consequence of an indisposition contracted at the fete, the editor--
Stensgard.
Yes, do so; I daresay, later on, we shall come to an understanding.
Aslaksen.
I trust we may.--Remember this, Mr. Stensgard: that paper is my one ewe lamb.
[Goes out by the back.
Lundestad
(at the foremost
garden door).
Ah, Mr. Stensgard!
Stensgard.
Ah, Mr. Lundestad!
Lundestad.
You here alone? If you have no objection, I should like to have a little talk with you.
Stensgard.
With pleasure.
Lundestad.
In the first place, let me say that if any one has told you that I have said anything to your disadvantage, you mustn't believe it.
Stensgard.
To my disadvantage? What do you mean?
Lundestad.
Oh, nothing; nothing, I assure you. You see, there are so many busybodies here, that go about doing nothing but setting people by the ears.
Stensgard.
Well, on the whole--I'm afraid our relations are a little strained.
Lundestad.
They are quite natural relations, Mr. Stensgard: the relation of the old to the new; it is always so.
Stensgard.
Oh, come, Mr. Lundestad, you are not so old as all that.
Lundestad.
Yes, indeed, I'm getting old. I have held my seat ever since 1839. It's time I should be relieved.
Stensgard.
Relieved?
Lundestad.
Times change, you see. New problems arise, and for their solution we want new forces.
Stensgard.
Now, frankly, Mr. Lundestad--are you really going to give up your seat to Monsen?
Lundestad.
To Monsen? No, certainly not to Monsen.
Stensgard.
Then I don't understand--
Lundestad.
Suppose, now, I did retire in Monsen's favour: do you think he would be elected?
Stensgard.
It's hard to say. As the preliminary election comes on the day after to-morrow, there may scarcely be time to prepare the public mind; but--
Lundestad.
I don't believe he would manage it. The Chamberlain's party, my party, would not vote for him. Of course "my party" is a figure of speech; I mean the men of property, the old families, who are settled on their own land and belong to it. They won't have anything to do with Monsen. Monsen is a newcomer; no one really knows anything about Monsen and his affairs. And then he has had to cut down so much to clear a place for himself--to fell both trees and men, you may say.
Stensgard.
Well, then, if you think he has no chance--
Lundestad.
H'm! You are a man of rare gifts, Mr.
Stensgard.
Providence has dealt lavishly with you. But it has made one little oversight: it ought to have given you one thing more.
Stensgard.
And what might that be?
Lundestad.
Tell me--why do you never think of yourself? Why have you no ambition?
Stensgard.
Ambition? I?
Lundestad.
Why do you waste all your strength on other people? In one word--why not go into Parliament yourself?
Stensgard.
I? You are not serious?
Lundestad.
Why not? You have qualified, I hear. And if you don't seize this opportunity, then some one else will come in; and when once he is firm in the saddle, it may not be so easy to unseat him.
Stensgard.
Great heavens, Mr. Lundestad! do you really mean what you say?
Lundestad.
Oh, I don't want to commit you; if you don't care about it--
Stensgard.
Not care about it! Well, I must confess I'm not so utterly devoid of ambition as you suppose. But do you really think it possible?
Lundestad.
Oh, there's nothing impossible about it. I should do my best, and so, no doubt, would the Chamberlain; he knows your oratorical gifts. You have the young men on your side--
Stensgard.
Mr. Lundestad, by heaven, you are my true friend!
Lundestad.
Oh, you don't mean much by that. If you really looked upon me as a friend, you would relieve me of this burden. You have young shoulders; you could bear it so easily.
Stensgard.
I place myself entirely at your disposal; I will not fail you.
Lundestad.
Then you are really not disinclined to--
Stensgard.
Here's my hand on it!
Lundestad.
Thanks! Believe me, Mr. Stensgard, you will not regret it. But now we must go warily to work. We must both of us take care to be on the electoral college-- I to propose you as my successor, and put you through your facings before the rest; and you to give an account of your views--
Stensgard.
If we once get so far, we are safe. In the electoral college you are omnipotent.
Lundestad.
There is a limit to omnipotence. You must of course bring your oratory into play; you must take care to explain away anything that might seem really awkward or objectionable--
Stensgard.
You don't mean that I am to break with my party?
Lundestad.
Now just look at the thing reasonably. What do we mean when we talk of two parties? We have, on the one hand, certain men or families who are in possession of
Stensgard.
Yes, I believe it is. But the time is short; and such a position is not to be attained in a day.
Lundestad.
That's true; but perhaps the prospect of such a position would be enough--
Stensgard.
The prospect--?
Lundestad.
Have you any rooted objection to a good marriage, Mr. Stensgard? There are heiresses in the country-side. A man like you, with a future before him--a man who can reckon on attaining the highest offices--believe me, you needn't fear a repulse if you play your cards neatly.
Stensgard.
Then, for heaven's sake, help me in the game! You open wide vistas to me--great visions! All that I have hoped and longed for, and that seemed so dreamlike and far away, stands suddenly before me in living reality-- to lead the people forward towards emancipation, to--
Lundestad.
Yes, we must keep our eyes open, Mr. Stensgard. I see your ambition is already on the alert. That's
well. The rest will come of itself.--In the meantime, thanks!
I shall never forget your readiness to take the burden of
office from my shoulders.
[The whole party gradually enters from the garden. Two maid-servants bring in candles and
hand round refreshments during the following
scene.
Selma
(goes towards the piano
at the back, left).
Mr.
Stensgard, you must join us; we are going to have a game
of forfeits.
Stensgard.
With pleasure; I am just in the mood.
Erik
Bratsberg (in an undertone). What the deuce is this my father is saying, Mr. Heire? What speech has Mr. Stensgard been making yesterday?
Heire.
Hee-hee! Don't you know about it?
Erik.
No; we townspeople had our dinner and ball at the Club. My father declares Mr. Stensgard has entirely broken with the Stonelee gang--that he was frightfully rude to Monsen--
Heire.
To Monsen! No, you must have misunderstood him, my dear sir.
Erik.
Well, there were a whole lot of people about, so that I couldn't quite follow what he said; but I certainly heard--
Heire.
Wait till to-morrow-- I say no more. You'll
have the whole story with your coffee, in Aslaksen's paper.
[They separate.
The Chamberlain.
Well, my dear Lundestad, are you sticking to those crotchets of yours?
Lundestad.
They are no crotchets, Chamberlain; rather than be ousted, one should give way gracefully.
The Chamberlain.
Nonsense; who is dreaming of ousting you?
Lundestad.
H'm; I'm an old weather-prophet. There has been a change in the wind. Besides, I have my successor ready. Mr. Stensgard is willing--
The Chamberlain.
Mr. Stensgard?
Lundestad.
Wasn't that what you meant? I took it for a hint when you said he was a man we must make friends with and support.
The Chamberlain.
I meant in his onslaught upon all the corruption and swindling that goes on at Stonelee.
Lundestad.
But how could you count so confidently upon his breaking with that crew?
The Chamberlain.
He did it openly enough last evening, my dear fellow.
Lundestad.
Last evening?
The Chamberlain.
Yes, when he spoke of Monsen's deplorable influence in the district.
Lundestad
(open-mouthed).
Of Monsen's--?
The Chamberlain.
Of course; that time on the table--
Lundestad.
On the table? Yes?
The Chamberlain.
He was frightfully rude; called him a money-bag, and a griffin or a basilisk, or something, Ha-ha!--it was great sport to hear him.
Lundestad.
Great sport, was it?
The Chamberlain.
Yes, I own I'm not sorry to see these people a little roughly handled. But now we must back him up; for after such a savage attack--
Lundestad.
As that of yesterday, you mean?
The Chamberlain.
Of course.
Lundestad.
Upon the table?
The Chamberlain.
Yes, upon the table.
Lundestad.
Against Monsen?
The Chamberlain.
Yes, against Monsen and his set. Of course they'll try to have their revenge; you can't blame them--
Lundestad
(decidedly).
Mr. Stensgard must be supported--that is clear.
Thora.
Father dear, you must join in the game.
The Chamberlain.
Oh, nonsense, child--
Thora.
Yes, indeed you must; Selma insists upon it.
The Chamberlain.
Very well, I suppose I must give in. (In an undertone as they go towards the back.) I'm quite distressed about Lundestad; he is really failing; fancy, he didn't in the least understand what Stensgard--
Thora.
Oh, come, come; they've begun the game. [She drags him into the circle of young people where the game is in full swing.
Erik
(calls from his
place).
Mr. Heire, you are appointed forfeit-judge.
Heire.
Hee-hee! It's the first appointment I ever had.
Stensgard
(also in the
circle).
On account of your legal
experience, Mr. Heire.
Heire.
Oh, my amiable young friends, I should be delighted to sentence you all-- I say no more!
Stensgard
(slips up to LUNDESTAD, who stands in front on
the left).
You were speaking to the Chamberlain. What
about? Was it about me?
Lundestad.
Unfortunately it was--about that affair of yesterday evening--
Stensgard
(writhing).
Oh, confound it all!
Lundestad.
He said you had been frightfully rude.
Stensgard.
Do you think it isn't a torture to me?
Lundestad.
Now is your chance to atone for it.
Erik
(calls).
Mr. Stensgard, it's your turn.
Stensgard.
Coming. (Quickly to LUNDESTAD.) What do you mean?
Lundestad.
Find an opportunity and apologise to the Chamberlain.
Stensgard.
By heaven, I will!
Selma.
Make haste, make haste!
Stensgard.
I'm coming! Here I am!
[The game goes on with noise and laughter. Some
elderly gentlemen play cards on the right.
LUNDESTAD takes a seat on the left; DANIEL
HEIRE near him.
Heire.
That whelp twits me with my legal experience, does he?
Lundestad.
He's rather free with his tongue, that's certain.
Heire.
And so the whole family goes and fawns upon him. Hee-hee! They're pitifully afraid of him.
Lundestad.
No, there you are wrong, Mr. Heire; the Chamberlain is not afraid of him.
Heire.
Not afraid? Do you think I'm blind, my good sir?
Lundestad.
No, but--I can trust you to keep the secret? Well, I'll tell you all about it. The Chamberlain thinks it was Monsen he was attacking.
Heire.
Monsen? Oh, absurd!
Lundestad.
Fact, Mr. Heire! Ringdal or Miss Thora must have got him persuaded that--
Heire.
And so he goes and asks him to a state dinner- party! Deuce take me, if that isn't the best thing I've heard for long! No, really now, I can't keep that bottled up.
Lundestad.
Sh, sh! Remember your promise. The Chamberlain's your old school-fellow; and even if he has been a little hard upon you--
Heire.
Hee-hee! I'll pay him back with interest!
Lundestad.
Take care! The Chamberlain is powerful. Don't play tricks in the lion's den!
Heire.
Bratsberg a lion? Pooh, he's a blockhead, sir, and I am not. Oh, won't I get a rare crop of taunts, and jibes, and innuendoes out of this, when once our great suit comes on!
Selma
(calls from the
circle).
Learned judge, what shall
the owner of this forfeit do?
Erik
(unnoticed, to
HEIRE).
It's Stensgard's! Think of
something amusing.
Heire.
That forfeit? Hee-hee, let me see; he might, for example--yes,--he shall make a speech!
Selma.
It's Mr. Stensgard's forfeit.
Erik.
Mr. Stensgard is to make a speech.
Stensgard.
Oh no, spare me that; I came off badly enough last night.
The Chamberlain.
Excellently, Mr. Stensgard; I know something of public speaking.
Lundestad
(to HEIRE).
If only he doesn't put his foot in
it now.
Heire.
Put his foot in it? Hee-hee! You're a sharp one! That's an inspiration! (In an undertone to STENSGARD.) If you came off badly last night, why not put yourself right again to-night?
Stensgard
(seized with a
sudden idea).
Lundestad, here
is the opportunity!
Lundestad
(evasively).
Play your cards neatly.
[Looks for his hat and slips quietly towards the
door.
Stensgard.
Yes, I will make a speech!
The Young Ladies.
Bravo! Bravo!
Stensgard.
Fill your glasses, ladies and gentlemen! I am going to make a speech which shall begin with a fable; for here I seem to breathe the finer air of fable-land.
Erik
(to the LADIES).
Hush! Listen!
[The CHAMBERLAIN takes his glass from the cardtable on the right, beside which he remains standing. RINGDAL, FIELDBO, and one or two other
gentlemen come in from the garden.
Stensgard.
It was in the spring time. There came a young cuckoo flying over the uplands. Now the cuckoo is an adventurer. There was a great Bird-Parliament on the meadow beneath him, and both wild and tame fowl flocked to it. They came tripping out of the hen-yards; they waddled up from the goose-ponds; down from Stonelee hulked a fat capercailzie, flying low and noisily; he settled down, and ruffled his feathers and flapped his wings, and made himself even broader than he was; and every now and then he crowed, "Krak, krak, krak!" as much as to say: I'm the game-cock from Stonelee, I am!
The Chamberlain.
Capital! Hear, hear!
Stensgard.
And then there was an old woodpecker. He bustled up and down the tree-trunks, pecking with his pointed beak, and gorging himself with grubs and everything that turns to gall. To right and left you heard
Erik.
Excuse me, wasn't it a stork, or a--?[3]
Heire.
Say no more!
Stensgard.
That was the old woodpecker. But now there came life into the crew; for they found something to cackle evil about. And they flustered together, and cackled in chorus, until at last the young cuckoo began to join in the cackling--
Fieldbo
(unnoticed).
For God's sake, man, be quiet!
Stensgard.
Now it was an eagle they cackled about--an eagle who dwelt in lonely dignity upon a beetling cliff. [4] They were all agreed about him. "He's a bugbear to the neighbourhood," croaked a hoarse raven. But the eagle swooped down into their midst, seized the cuckoo, and bore him aloft to his eyrie.--Heart conquered heart! From that clear summit the adventurer-cuckoo looked far and wide over the lowlands; there he found sunshine and peace; and there he learned to judge aright the swarm from the hen-yards and the clearings--
Fieldbo
(loudly).
Bravo, bravo! And now some music.
The Chamberlain.
Hush! Don't interrupt him.
Stensgard.
Chamberlain Bratsberg--here my fable ends; and here I stand before you, in the presence of every one, to beg your forgiveness for last night.
The Chamberlain
(falls a step
backwards).
Mine--?
Stensgard.
I thank you for the magnanimous vengeance you have taken for my senseless words. In me you have henceforth a faithful champion. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I drink the health of the eagle on the mountain-top --the health of Chamberlain Bratsberg.
The Chamberlain
(clutching at
the table).
Thank you,
Mr.--Mr. Stensgard.
The Guests
(for the most part
in painful embarrassment).
The Chamberlain! Chamberlain Bratsberg!
The Chamberlain.
Ladies! Gentlemen! (Softly.) Thora!
Thora.
Father!
The Chamberlain.
Oh, Doctor, Doctor, what have you done--?
Stensgard
(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!
Heire
(in front, on the
left).
Yes, on my soul, the game's
going merrily!
[LUNDESTAD slips out by the door in the back.
| The League of Youth | |