The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 06 (of 11)Ibsen, Henrik
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The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 06 (of 11)
Ibsen, Henrik
Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906 -- Translations into English; Norwegian drama -- Translations into English
But there are different methods of business. I know of respectable
families whom you have brought to the workhouse.
MONSEN.
Daniel Heire is not very far from the workhouse.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I understand you; but I can justify my conduct before God and man! When
the country was in distress, after the separation from Denmark, my
father made sacrifices beyond his means. Thus part of our property came
into the hands of the Heire family. What was the result? The people who
lived upon the property suffered under Daniel Heire’s incompetent
management. He cut down timber to the injury, I may even say to the
ruin, of the district. Was it not my obvious duty to put a stop to it if
I was able? And it happened that I _was_ able; I had the law on my side;
I was well within my rights when I re-entered upon my family property.
MONSEN.
I, too, have always had the law on my side.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
But what about your sense of right, your conscience, if you have such a
thing? And how you have broken down all social order! How you have
impaired the respect that should attach to wealth! People never think of
asking nowadays how such and such a fortune was made, or how long it has
been in such and such a family; they only ask: how much is so-and-so
worth?—and they esteem him accordingly. Now I suffer by all this; I find
myself regarded as a sort of associate of yours; people speak of us in
one breath, because we are the two largest proprietors in the
neighbourhood. This state of things I cannot endure! I tell you once for
all: that is why I am set against you.
MONSEN.
This state of things shall come to an end, sir; I will give up business,
and make way for you at every point; but I beg you, I implore you, to
help me!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
I will not.
MONSEN.
I’m willing to pay what you like——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
To pay! And you dare to——!
MONSEN.
If not for my sake, then for your son’s!
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
My son’s!
MONSEN.
Yes, he’s in it. I reckon he stands to win some twenty thousand dollars.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Stands to win?
MONSEN.
Yes.
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Then, good God, who stands to lose all this money?
MONSEN.
How do you mean?
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
If my son wins, some one or other must lose!
MONSEN.
It’s a good stroke of business; I’m not in a position to say more. But I
need a solid name; only just your endorsement——
THE CHAMBERLAIN.
Endorsement! On a bill——?
MONSEN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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