You must have noticed how I kept my eye upon Stensgård all the evening. Unfortunately, when I heard there was to be a game of forfeits, I thought there was no danger—— THE CHAMBERLAIN. [_Stamping on the floor._] To be made a laughing-stock by such a windbag! What must my guests have thought of me? That I was mean enough to want to buy this creature, this—this——as Lundestad calls him! FIELDBO. Yes, but—— THORA. [_Unnoticed by her father._] Don’t speak! THE CHAMBERLAIN. [_After a short pause, turns to_ FIELDBO.] Tell me frankly, Doctor:—Am I really denser than the general run of people? FIELDBO. How can you ask such a question. Chamberlain? THE CHAMBERLAIN. Then how did it happen that I was probably the only person there who didn’t understand that that confounded speech was meant for me? FIELDBO. Shall I tell you why? THE CHAMBERLAIN. Certainly. FIELDBO. It is because you yourself regard your position in the district differently from other people. THE CHAMBERLAIN. I regard my position as my father before me regarded his. No one would ever have ventured to treat _him_ so. FIELDBO. Your father died about the year 1830. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Oh, yes; many a barrier has broken down since that time. But, after all, it’s my own fault. I have mixed myself up too much with these good people. So now I must be content to have my name coupled with Anders Lundestad’s! FIELDBO. Well, frankly, I see no disgrace in that. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Oh, you know quite well what I mean. Of course I don’t plume myself on rank, or titles, or anything of that sort. But what I hold in honour, and expect others to hold in honour, is the integrity handed down in our family from generation to generation. What I mean is that when a man like Lundestad goes into public life, he cannot keep his character and his conduct entirely free from stain. In the general mud-throwing, he is sure to find himself bespattered. But they might leave _me_ in peace; I stand outside their parties. FIELDBO. Not so entirely, Chamberlain; at least you were delighted so long as you thought it was Monsen that was attacked. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Don’t mention that fellow!—It is he that has relaxed the moral sense of the district. And now he has gone and turned my son’s head, confound him! THORA. Erik’s? FIELDBO. Your son’s? THE CHAMBERLAIN. Yes; what tempted him to go and set up in business? It leads to nothing.