THE CHAMBERLAIN. Of course I will. Do you think I haven’t long realised that matters here have in some ways taken a most undesirable turn? But what was I to do? In the late King’s time I lived for the most part in Stockholm. I am old now; and besides, it is not in my nature to take the lead in reforms, or to throw myself personally into the turmoil of public affairs. You, on the other hand, Mr. Stensgård, have every qualification for them; so let us hold together. STENSGÅRD. Thanks, Chamberlain; many, many thanks! RINGDAL _and_ DANIEL HEIRE _enter from the garden._ RINGDAL. And I tell you it must be a misunderstanding. HEIRE. Indeed? I like that! How should I misunderstand my own ears? THE CHAMBERLAIN. Anything new, Heire? HEIRE. Only that Anders Lundestad is going over to the Stonelee party. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Oh, you’re joking! HEIRE. I beg your pardon, my dear sir; I have it from his own lips. Mr. Lundestad intends, on account of failing health, to retire from political life; you can draw your own conclusions from that. STENSGÅRD. He told you so himself? HEIRE. Of course he did. He made the momentous announcement to an awe-struck circle down in the garden; hee-hee! THE CHAMBERLAIN. Why, my dear Ringdal, what can be the meaning of this? HEIRE. Oh, it’s not difficult to guess. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Indeed it is though. This is a most important affair for the district. Come along, Ringdal; we must find the man himself. [_He and_ RINGDAL _go down the garden._ FIELDBO. [_Entering by the furthest back garden-door._] Has the Chamberlain gone out? HEIRE. Sh! The sages are deliberating! Great news, Doctor! Lundestad is going to resign. FIELDBO. Oh, impossible! STENSGÅRD. Can you understand it? HEIRE. Ah, now we may look out for real sport. It’s the League of Youth that’s beginning to work, Mr. Stensgård. Do you know what you should call your League? I’ll tell you some other time. STENSGÅRD. Do you think it’s really our League——? HEIRE. Not the least doubt about it. So we’re to have the pleasure of sending our respected friend Mr. Mons Monsen to Parliament! I wish he were off already;—I’d give him a lift with pleasure——I say no more; hee-hee! [_Goes into the garden._ STENSGÅRD.