The Editor. Certainly. But before making a mistake this time--ahem!--I wanted first of all to enquire whether-- The Doctor. Ah! now it is coming! The Editor--whether you have any objection to my mentioning John in my paper? Mrs. Evje. What has John to do with us? The Editor. Just as much as the Association, where he delivered his speech, has; it--ahem!--is one of the family institutions! Evje. I have had no more to do with making John what he is than I have had with making that Association what it is. The Editor. Your future son-in-law made the Association what it is, and the Association has made John what he is. The Doctor. Or, to put it the other way round: John is Mr. Evje's servant; John has become an active member of the Association; therefore Mr. Evje is a patron of the Association. The Editor. Or this way: John, being the well-known Mr. Evje's servant, has for that reason become an active member of the Association which--as he expressed it--his employer's future son-in-law "has had the honour to found!" Mrs. Evje. Surely you never mean to put that in the paper? The Editor (laughing). They are John's own words. Mr. Evje. Of course, he would never put a tipsy man's maunderings into the paper. (To his wife.) Don't you understand that he is joking? The Editor (clearing his throat). It is already in type. The Doctor. Oh, nonsense! The Editor. The scene afforded an opportunity for an extremely amusing sketch, without mentioning any names. Mr. Evje. I sincerely hope that The Doctor (to EVJE). Oh, he is only teasing you! You know him. The Editor. What do you think of this? "Those who indirectly support so dangerous an institution will have to face exposure."--I quite agree with it. Mrs. Evje (getting up). What do you mean? Do you mean that my husband--? The Editor. A little fright will be a good discipline for him! Evje. Is what you quoted meant as an accusation against us--whether you are serious or whether you are joking? The Doctor. He is only trying to frighten you with a bogey; it is not the first time, you know! Evje. Yes, but what have _I_ to be frightened of? I don't belong to the Association. The Editor. But persons who do belong to it frequent your house. A man is known by the company he keeps. Mrs. Evje. I really begin to think he _does_ mean it seriously. The Editor. It is too ugly a thing to jest about, you mean? Evje. Is it possible that you seriously mean to allude to John as my servant? The Editor. Isn't he your servant? Evje. And to put that in the paper for every one to read? The Editor. No--only for those who read the paper. Evje. And you have come here to tell us that? The Editor. Do you suppose I would do it without telling you? Mrs. Evje. It is perfectly shameless! The Editor. It certainly is. Evje. Is it your intention to quarrel with me? The Editor. Of course! Evje. With your own schoolfellow?--one who has been it true friend to you in all your ups and downs? It is abominable!