Henrik Ibsen
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 90
Get eBook
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ...on the work. Have you seen to-day's paper? Well, then you know the pranks these American sailors have been up to again. The rascally pack are turning the whole town upside down. Not a night passes without some brawling in the taverns or the streets--not to speak of other abominations. Aune. Yes, they certainly are a bad lot. Bernick. And who is it that has to bear the blame for all this disorder? It is I! Yes, it is I who have to suffer for it. These newspaper fellows are making all sorts of covert insinuations because we are devoting all our energies to the "Palm Tree." I, whose task in life it is to influence my fellow-citizens by the force of example, have to endure this sort of thing cast in my face. I am not going to stand that. I have no fancy for having my good name smirched in that way. Aune. Your name stands high enough to endure that and a great deal more, sir. Bernick. Not just now. At this particular moment I have need of all the respect and goodwill my fellowcitizens can give me. I have a big undertaking on the stocks, as you probably have heard; but, if it should happen that evil-disposed persons succeeded in shaking the absolute confidence I enjoy, it might land me in the greatest difficulties. That is why I want, at any price, to avoid these shameful innuendoes in the papers, and that is why I name the day after to-morrow as the limit of the time I can give you. Aune. Mr. Bernick, you might just as well name this afternoon as the limit. Bernick. You mean that I am asking an impossibility? Aune. Yes, with the hands we have now at the yard. Bernick. Very good; then we must look about elsewhere. Aune. Do you really mean, sir, to discharge still more of your old workmen? Bernick. No, I am not thinking of that. Aune....