Paulsberg and his wife arrived; they moved the tables together and formed a circle. Milde stood treat; he still had money left from the first half of the subsidy. Paulsberg attacked Gregersen at once because of the _Gazette's_ change of front. Hadn't he himself, a short time ago, written a rather pointed article in the paper? Had they entirely forgotten that? How could he reconcile this with their present attitude? It would soon be a disgrace for an honest man to see his name in that sheet. Paulsberg was indignant and said so without mincing words. Gregersen had no defence. He simply answered that the _Gazette_ had fully explained its position, had given reasons.... "What kind of reasons?" Paulsberg would show them how shallow they were. "Waiter, the _Gazette_ for to-day!" While they waited for the paper even Milde ventured to say that the reasons were anything but convincing. They consisted of vague vapourings about the easterly boundary, the unpreparedness of the army, even mentioning foreign intervention.... "And fifteen minutes ago you yourself agreed with the _Gazette_ unqualifiedly," said Gregersen. Paulsberg commenced reading from the _Gazette_, paragraph after paragraph. He laughed maliciously. Wasn't it great to hear a paper like the _Gazette_ mention the word responsibility? And Paulsberg threw the paper aside in disgust. No; there ought to be at least a trace of honesty in our national life! This sacrifice of principle for the sake of expediency was degrading, to say the least. Grande and Norem entered, with Coldevin between them. Coldevin was talking. He nodded to the others and finished what he was saying before he paused. The Attorney, this peculiar nonentity, who neither said nor did anything himself, took a wicked pleasure in listening to this uncouth person from the backwoods. He had happened upon Coldevin far up in Thranes Road; he had spoken to him, and Coldevin had said that he was going away soon, perhaps to-morrow. He was going back to Torahus; he was mainly going in order to resign his position; he had accepted a situation farther north. But in that case Grande had insisted that they empty a glass together, and Coldevin had finally come along. They had met Norem outside. Coldevin, too, spoke about the situation; he accused the young because they had remained silent and accepted this last indignity without a protest. God help us, what kind of a youth was that? Was our youth, then, _entirely_ decadent? "It looks bad for us again," said Milde in a stage whisper. Paulsberg smiled. "You will have to grin and bear it--Let us get toward home, Nikoline. I am not equal to this." And Paulsberg and his wife left. II Coldevin looked very shabby indeed. He was in the same suit he wore when he came to town; his hair and beard were shaggy and unkempt. The Journalist brought him over to the table. What did he want? Only a glass of beer?