Impossible, I say; there is at least so much public spirit in our little community—— HILMAR. Here? Oh yes, you are an optimist, and judge others by yourself. But I am a pretty keen observer, and I tell you there is not a person here—except ourselves, of course—not _one_, I say, that holds high the banner of the ideal. [_Up towards the back._] Ugh, there they are! BERNICK. Who? HILMAR. The two Americans. [_Looks out to the right._] And who is that with them? Why, it’s the captain of the _Indian Girl_. Ugh! BERNICK. What can they want with _him_? HILMAR. Oh, it’s very appropriate company. They say he has been a slave-dealer or a pirate; and who knows what that couple have turned their hands to in all these years. BERNICK. I tell you, such innuendoes are utterly unjust. HILMAR. Yes, you are an optimist. But here we have them upon us again of course; so I shall get away in time. [_Goes towards the door on the left._ LONA HESSEL _enters from the right._ LONA. What, Hilmar, am I driving you away? HILMAR. Not at all, not at all. I really oughtn’t to have been wasting time here; I have something to say to Betty. [_Goes out by the second door on the left._ BERNICK. [_After a short pause._] Well, Lona? LONA. Well? BERNICK. What do you think of me to-day? LONA. The same as yesterday; a lie more or less—— BERNICK. I must clear all this up. Where has Johan gone to? LONA. He will be here directly; he is talking to a man outside there. BERNICK. After what you heard yesterday, you can understand that my whole position is ruined if the truth comes to light. LONA. I understand. BERNICK. Of course I need not tell you that _I_ was not guilty of the supposed crime. LONA. Of course not. But who was the thief? BERNICK. There was no thief. There was no money stolen; not a halfpenny was missing. LONA. What? BERNICK. Not a halfpenny, I say. LONA. But the rumour? How did that shameful rumour get abroad, that Johan——? BERNICK. Lona, I find I can talk to you as I can to no one else; I shall conceal nothing from you. _I_ had my share in spreading the rumour.