Oh, those communities have their good points too. RÖRLUND. Can you say that—you, who yourself——? BERNICK. In the great nations one has at least elbow-room for useful enterprise. There, men have the courage to sacrifice something for a great cause. But here, one is hampered by all sorts of petty considerations. RÖRLUND. Is a human life a petty consideration? BERNICK. When that human life is a menace to the welfare of thousands. RÖRLUND. But you are putting quite inconceivable cases, Consul! I don’t understand you to-day. And then you refer me to the great communities. Yes, _there_—what does a human life count for there? They think no more of staking life than of staking capital. But we, I hope, look at things from an entirely different moral standpoint. Think of our exemplary shipowners! Name me a single merchant here among us who, for the sake of paltry profit, would sacrifice one human life! And then think of those scoundrels in the great communities who enrich themselves by sending out one unseaworthy ship after another—— BERNICK. I am not speaking of unseaworthy ships! RÖRLUND. But I am, Consul. BERNICK. Yes, but to what purpose? It has nothing to do with the question.—Oh, these little craven qualms of conscience! If a general among us were to lead his troops under fire, and get some of them shot, he would never sleep o’ nights after it. Elsewhere it is very different. You should hear what he says—— [_Pointing to the door on the left._ RÖRLUND. He? Who? The American——? BERNICK. Of course. You should hear how people in America—— RÖRLUND. Is he in there? Why did you not tell me? I shall go at once—— BERNICK. It’s of no use. You will make no impression on him. RÖRLUND. That we shall see. Ah, here he is. JOHAN TÖNNESEN _comes from the room on the left._ JOHAN. [_Speaking through the open doorway._] Yes, yes, Dina, so be it; but don’t think that I shall give you up. I shall return, and things will come all right between us. RÖRLUND. May I ask what you mean by these words? What is it you want? JOHAN. I want the girl to whom you yesterday traduced me, to be my wife. RÖRLUND. Your——? Can you imagine that——? JOHAN. She _shall_ be my wife. RÖRLUND.