You’re certainly not looking well. But you must pull yourself together. Come, come, man, pull yourself together! I and Sandstad and Vigeland attach the greatest importance to this affair. Our opponents must be crushed by an overwhelming utterance of public opinion. The rumours are spreading over the town; the announcement as to the purchase of the property cannot be kept back any longer. This very evening, amid songs and speeches and the ring of brimming goblets—in short, amid all the effervescent enthusiasm of the occasion—you must announce what you have ventured to do for the good of the community. With the aid of effervescent enthusiasm, as I said just now, it is astonishing what one can effect in this town. But we must have the effervescence, or it won’t do. BERNICK. Yes, yes, yes—— RUMMEL. And especially when such a ticklish point is to be dealt with. Thank heaven, you have a name that will carry us through, Bernick. But listen now: we must arrange a little programme. Hilmar Tönnesen has written a song in your honour. It begins charmingly with the line, “Wave th’ Ideal’s banner high.” And Doctor Rörlund has been commissioned to make the speech of the evening. Of course, you must reply to it. BERNICK. I cannot, I cannot this evening, Rummel. Couldn’t you——? RUMMEL. Impossible, much as I should like to. The Doctor’s speech will, of course, be mainly addressed to you. Perhaps a few words will be devoted to the rest of us. I have spoken to Vigeland and Sandstad about it. We had arranged that your reply should take the form of a toast to the general welfare of the community. Sandstad will say a few words on the harmony between the different classes of the community; Vigeland will express the fervent hope that our new undertaking may not disturb the moral basis upon which we stand; and I will call attention, in a few well-chosen words, to the claims of Woman, whose more modest exertions are not without their use in the community. But you are not listening—— BERNICK. Yes—yes, I am. Tell me, do you think the sea is running very high outside? RUMMEL. Oh, you are anxious on account of the _Palm Tree_? She’s well insured, isn’t she? BERNICK. Yes, insured; but—— RUMMEL. And in good repair; that’s the main thing. BERNICK. H’m.—And even if anything happens to a vessel, it does not follow that lives will be lost. The ship and cargo may go down—people may lose chests and papers—— RUMMEL. Good gracious, chests and papers don’t matter much—— BERNICK. Not matter! No, no, I only meant——Hark—that singing again! RUMMEL. It’s on board the _Palm Tree_.