Tjaelde (to BERENT). I am delighted to see you! You are always welcome in our little home--and this year more welcome than ever! Berent. Because things are going better than ever this year! I congratulate you on your discharge--and also on your determination to pay everything in full! Tjaelde. Yes, if God wills, I mean to-- Berent. Well, things are going splendidly, aren't they? Tjaelde. So far, yes. Berent. You are over the worst of it, now that you have laid the foundations of a new business and laid them solidly. Tjaelde. One of the things that have given me the greatest encouragement has been the fact that I have won your confidence--and that has gained me the confidence of others. Berent. I could have done nothing unless you had first of all done everything. But don't let us say any more about it!--Well, the place looks even prettier than it did last year. Tjaelde. We do a little more to it each year, you know. Berent. And you are still all together here? Tjaelde. So far, yes. Berent. Ah, by the way, I can give you news of your deserter. (TJAELDE looks surprised.) I mean your lieutenant! Tjaelde. Oh--of him! Have you seen him? Berent. I was on the same boat coming here. There was a very rich girl on board. Tjaelde (laughing). Oh, I see! Berent. All the same, I don't think it came to any thing. It is rather like coming upon a herd of deer when you are stalking; after your first shot, you don't find it so easy to get another; they have grown wary! Jakobsen (who during this conversation has been screwing up his courage to address TJAELDE). I--I am a pig, I am! I know that! Tjaelde (taking his hand). Oh, come, Jakobsen--! Jakobsen. A great blundering pig!--But I know it now! Tjaelde. That's all right! I can tell you I am delighted to be able to set affairs straight between you and me. Jakobsen. I don't know what to answer. It goes to my heart! (Shakes his hand heartily.) You are a far better man than I,--and I said so to my wife. "He's a splendid fellow," I said. Tjaelde (releasing his hand). Let us forget everything except the happy days we have had together, Jakobsen! How do things go at the Brewery? Jakobsen. At the Brewery! As long as folk ladle beer into their stomachs at the rate they do now-- Berent. Jakobsen was kind enough to drive me out here. We had a most amusing drive. He is a character. Jakobsen (in an anxious undertone, to TJAELDE). What does he mean by that? Tjaelde. That you are different from most people. Jakobsen. Ah!--I didn't feel sure, you know, whether he wasn't sitting there making game of me, all the way here. Tjaelde. How can you think such a thing? (To BERENT.) Do come into the house. Excuse my going first; but my wife is not always quite prepared to receive visitors since she has been able to do so little for herself. (Goes into the house.) Berent. I don't think Mr. Tjaelde seems to me to be looking in quite as good form as I expected? Jakobsen. Don't you? I didn't notice anything.