CHAMBERLAIN BRATSBERG, LUNDESTAD, RINGDAL, _and one or two other gentlemen come out of the dining-room._ THE CHAMBERLAIN. [_Conversing with_ LUNDESTAD.] Violent, you say? Well, perhaps the form wasn’t all that could be desired; but there were real gems in the speech, I can assure you. LUNDESTAD. Well, if you are satisfied, Chamberlain, I have no right to complain. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Why should you? Ah, here’s the Doctor! Starving, I’ll be bound. FIELDBO. It doesn’t matter, Chamberlain. The servants will attend to me. I feel myself almost at home here, you know. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Oh, you do, do you? I wouldn’t be in too great a hurry. FIELDBO. What? Am I taking too great a liberty? You yourself permitted me to—— THE CHAMBERLAIN. What I permitted, I permitted. Well, well, make yourself at home, and forage for something to eat. [_Slaps him lightly on the shoulder and turns to_ LUNDESTAD.] Now, _here’s_ one you may call an adventurer and—and the other thing I can’t remember. FIELDBO. Why, Chamberlain——! LUNDESTAD. No, I assure you—— THE CHAMBERLAIN. No arguments after dinner; it’s bad for the digestion. They’ll serve the coffee outside presently. [_Goes with the guests into the garden._ LUNDESTAD. [_To_ FIELDBO.] Did you ever see the Chamberlain so strange as he is to-day? FIELDBO. I noticed it yesterday evening. LUNDESTAD. He will have it that I called Mr. Stensgård an adventurer and something else of that sort. FIELDBO. Oh, well, Mr. Lundestad, what if you did? Excuse me; I must go and talk to the ladies. [_Goes out to the right._ LUNDESTAD. [_To_ RINGDAL, _who is arranging a card table._] How do you account for Mr. Stensgård’s appearance here to-day? RINGDAL. Yes, how? He wasn’t on the original list. LUNDESTAD. An afterthought, then? After his attack on the Chamberlain yesterday——? RINGDAL. Yes, can you understand it? LUNDESTAD. Understand it? Oh yes, I suppose I can. RINGDAL. [_More softly._] You think the Chamberlain is afraid of him? LUNDESTAD. I think he is prudent—that’s what I think.