_Kroll_. You dear good people! (_Wanders up the room._) I came because the Spirit of Revolt has crept into my School. A Secret Society has existed for weeks in the Lower Third! To-day it has come to my knowledge that a booby-trap was prepared for me by the hand of my own son, LAURITS, and I then discovered that a hair has been inserted in my cane by my daughter HILDA! The only way in which a right-minded Schoolmaster can combat this anarchic and subversive spirit is to start a newspaper, and I thought that you, as a weak, credulous, inexperienced and impressionable kind of man, were the very person to be the Editor. [_REB. laughs softly, as if to herself. ROSMER jumps up and sits down again._ _Reb._ (_with a look at Rosmer_). Tell him now! _Rosmer_ (_returning the look_). I can't--some other evening. Well, perhaps-- (_To KROLL._) I can't be your Editor--because (_in a low voice_) I--I am on the side of LAURITS and HILDA! _Kroll_ (_looks from one to the other, gloomily_). H'm! _Rosmer_. Yes. Since we last met, I have changed my views. I am going to create a new democracy, and awaken it to its true task of making all the people of this country noblemen, by freeing their wills, and purifying their minds! _Kroll_. What _do_ you mean? [_Takes up his hat._ _Rosmer_ (_bowing his head_). I don't quite know, my dear friend; it was REB--I should say. Miss WEST's scheme. _Kroll_. H'm! (_A suspicion appears in his face._) Now I begin to believe that what BEATA said about schemes--no matter. But, under the circumstances, I will _not_ stay to supper. [_Takes up his stick, and walks out._ _Rosmer_. I _told_ you he would be annoyed, I shall go to bed now. I don't want any supper. [_He lights a candle, and goes out; presently his footsteps are heard overhead, as he undresses. REBECCA pulls a bell-rope._ _Reb._ (_to Madam HELSETH, who enters with dishes_). No, Mr. ROSMER will not have supper to-night. (_In a lighter tone._) Perhaps he is afraid of the nightmare. There are so many sorts of White Horses in this world! _Mad. H._ (_shaking_). Lord! lord! that Miss WEST--the things she does say! [_REB. goes out through door, knitting antimacassar thoughtfully, as Curtain falls._ ACT II. ROSMER's _study. Doors and windows, bookshelves, a writing-table. Door, with curtain, leading to ROSMER's bedroom. ROSMER discovered in a smoking-jacket cutting a pamphlet with a paper-knife. There is a knock at the door. ROSMER says, "Come in." REBECCA enters in a morning wrapper and curl-papers. She sits on a chair close to ROSMER, and looks over his shoulder as he cuts the leaves. Rector KROLL is shown up._ _Kroll_ (_lays his hat on the table and looks at REB. from head to foot_). I am really afraid that I am in the way. _Reb._ (_surprised_). Because I am in my morning wrapper and curl-papers? You forget that I am _emancipated_, Rector KROLL. [_She leaves them and listens behind curtain in ROSMER's bedroom._