[_Goes out by the back._ BASTIAN. What did he mean by winning and losing? STENSGÅRD. I’ll tell you afterwards. But now, my dear Monsen—to return to what we were talking about—I promised to put in a good word for you—— BASTIAN. You promised? On the contrary, I thought you said——? STENSGÅRD. Oh, nonsense; you didn’t let me explain myself fully. What I meant was that there is something sordid in mixing up your love with town-contracts and so forth; it is an offence against all that is noblest in your nature. So, my dear friend, if you really love the girl—— BASTIAN. The widow—— STENSGÅRD. Yes, yes; it’s all the same. I mean when one really loves a woman, that in itself should be a conclusive reason—— BASTIAN. Yes, that’s just what I think. So you’ll speak for me, will you? STENSGÅRD. Yes, with great pleasure—but on one condition. BASTIAN. What’s that? STENSGÅRD. Tit for tat, my dear Bastian—you must put in a word for me too. BASTIAN. I? With whom? STENSGÅRD. Have you really not noticed anything? Yet it’s before your very nose. BASTIAN. You surely don’t mean——? STENSGÅRD. Your sister Ragna? Yes, it is she. Oh, you don’t know how I have been moved by the sight of her quiet, self-sacrificing devotion to her home—— BASTIAN. Do you really mean to say so? STENSGÅRD. And you, with your penetrating eye, have suspected nothing? BASTIAN. Yes, at one time I did think——; but now people are talking of your hanging about the Chamberlain’s—— STENSGÅRD. Oh, the Chamberlain’s! Well, Monsen, I’ll tell you frankly that for a moment I did hesitate; but, thank goodness, that is over; now I see my way quite clear before me. BASTIAN. There’s my hand. I’ll back you up, you may be sure. And as for Ragna—why, she daren’t do anything but what I and father wish. STENSGÅRD. Yes, but your father—that’s just what I wanted to say—— BASTIAN. Sh! There—I hear Madam Rundholmen. Now’s your chance to speak for me, if she’s not too busy; for then she’s apt to be snappish. You do your best, my dear fellow, and leave the rest to me. Do you happen to have seen Aslaksen? STENSGÅRD. He’s probably at the polling-booth. [BASTIAN _goes out by the back, as_ MADAM RUNDHOLMEN _enters from the right._