Especially when the injured man is—I hardly know how to put it—— PETRA. You mean when he is so upright and true? HOVSTAD. [_In a low voice._] I mean—especially when he is your father. PETRA. [_Suddenly taken aback._] _That?_ HOVSTAD. Yes, Petra—Miss Petra. PETRA. So that is your chief thought, is it? Not the cause itself? Not the truth? Not father’s great, warm heart? HOVSTAD. Oh, that too, of course. PETRA. No, thank you; you said too much that time, Mr. Hovstad. Now I shall never trust you again, in anything. HOVSTAD. Can you be so hard on me because it’s mainly for your sake——? PETRA. What I blame you for is that you have not acted straightforwardly towards father. You have talked to him as if you cared only for the truth and the good of the community. You have trifled with both father and me. You are not the man you pretended to be. And that I will never forgive you—never. HOVSTAD. You shouldn’t say that so bitterly, Miss Petra—least of all now. PETRA. Why not now? HOVSTAD. Because your father cannot do without my help. PETRA. [_Measuring him from head to foot._] So you are capable of _that_, too? Oh, shame! HOVSTAD. No, no. I spoke without thinking. You mustn’t believe that of me. PETRA. I know what to believe. Good-bye. ASLAKSEN _enters from printing-room, hurriedly and mysteriously._ ASLAKSEN. What do you think, Mr. Hovstad—[_Seeing PETRA._] Ow, that’s awkward—— PETRA. Well, there is the book. You must give it to some one else. _Going towards the main door._ HOVSTAD. [_Following her._] But, Miss Petra—— PETRA. Good-bye. _She goes._ ASLAKSEN. I say, Mr. Hovstad! HOVSTAD. Well well; what is it? ASLAKSEN. The Burgomaster’s out there, in the printing-office. HOVSTAD. The Burgomaster? ASLAKSEN. Yes. He wants to speak to you; he came in by the back way—he didn’t want to be seen, you understand. HOVSTAD. What can be the meaning of this? Stop, I'll go myself—— [_Goes towards the printing-room, opens the door, bows and invites the BURGOMASTER to enter._ HOVSTAD. Keep a look-out, Aslaksen, that no one——