The best ladies of the town come together in the home of the Bernicks. They represent the society for the "Lapsed and Lost," and they gather to do a little charitable sewing and a lot of charitable gossip. It is through them we learn that _Dina Dorf_, the ward of _Bernick_, is the issue of the supposed escapade of _Johan_ and the actress. With them, giving unctuous spiritual advice and representing the purity and morality of the community, is _Rector Rorlund_, hidebound, self-righteous, and narrow-minded. Into this deadening atmosphere of mental and social provincialism comes _Lona Hessel_, refreshing and invigorating as the wind of the plains. She has returned to her native town together with _Johan_. The moment she enters the house of _Bernick_, the whole structure begins to totter. For in _Lona's_ own words, "Fie, fie--this moral linen here smells so tainted--just like a shroud. I am accustomed to the air of the prairies now, I can tell you.... Wait a little, wait a little--we'll soon rise from the sepulcher. We must have broad daylight here when my boy comes." Broad daylight is indeed needed in the community of _Consul Bernick_, and above all in the life of the _Consul_ himself. It seems to be the psychology of a lie that it can never stand alone. _Consul Bernick_ is compelled to weave a network of lies to sustain his foundation. In the disguise of a good husband, he upbraids, nags, and tortures his wife on the slightest provocation. In the mask of a devoted father, he tyrannizes and bullies his only child as only a despot used to being obeyed can do. Under the cloak of a benevolent citizen he buys up public land for his own profit. Posing as a true Christian, he even goes so far as to jeopardize human life. Because of business considerations he sends _The Indian Girl_, an unseaworthy, rotten vessel, on a voyage, although he is assured by one of his most capable and faithful workers that the ship cannot make the journey, that it is sure to go down. But _Consul Bernick_ is a pillar of society; he needs the respect and good will of his fellow citizens. He must go from precipice to precipice, to keep up appearances. _Lona_ alone sees the abyss facing him, and tells him: "What does it matter whether such a society is supported or not? What is it that passes current here? Lies and shams--nothing else. Here are you, the first man in the town, living in wealth and pride, in power and honor, you, who have set the brand of crime upon an innocent man." She might have added, _many_ innocent men, for _Johan_ was not the only one at whose expense _Karsten Bernick_ built up his career. The end is inevitable. In the words of _Lona_: "All this eminence, and you yourself along with it, stand on a trembling quicksand; a moment may come, a word may be spoken, and, if you do not save yourself in time, you and your whole grandeur go to the bottom."