Tjaelde.--and his trick of crossing his feet--yes, it is he. It looks as if he were coming here. Valborg. No, he has turned away. Tjaelde. All the better! (To himself, thoughtfully.) Could it possibly mean--? (SANNAES comes in from the right.) Sannaes. Am I disturbing you, sir? Tjaelde. Is that you, Sannaes? (SANNAES, as he comes forward, sees VALBORG standing by the farther window. He appears frightened and hides his hands quickly behind his back.) What do you want? (VALBORG looks at SANNAES, then goes on to the verandah and out to the right.) What is it, man? What the deuce are you standing there for? Sannaes (bringing his hands from behind his back as soon as VALBORG has passed him, and looking after her.) I didn't like to ask you, before Miss Valborg, whether you are coming down to your office to-day or not. Tjaelde. Have you gone mad? Why on earth shouldn't you ask me that before Miss Valborg? Sannaes. I mean that--if not--I should like to speak to you here, if it is convenient. Tjaelde. Look here, Sannaes, you ought to try and get rid of your shyness; it doesn't suit a business man. A business man should be smart and active, and not let his wits go wool-gathering because he finds himself in the same room with a woman. I have often noticed it in you.--Now, what is it? Out with it! Sannaes. You are not coming to the office this morning, sir? Tjaelde. No, there is no post goes out before this evening. Sannaes. No. But there are some bills of exchange-- Tjaelde. Bills? No. Sannaes. Yes, sir--that fourth one of Moeller's that was protested, and the big English one. Tjaelde (angrily). Have they not been met yet? What does this mean? Sannaes. The manager of the bank wanted to see you first, sir! Tjaelde. Have you gone crazy--? (Collects himself.) There must be some misunderstanding, Sannaes. Sannaes. That is what I thought; so I spoke about it to the chief clerk, and to Mr. Holst as well. Tjaelde. And Mr. Holst said--? Sannaes. The same thing. Tjaelde (walking up and down). I will go and see him--or rather, I _won't_ go and see him; because this is evidently something that--. We have some days' grace yet, haven't we? Sannaes. Yes, sir. Tjaelde. And still no telegram from Mr. Lind? Sannaes. No, sir. Tjaelde (to himself). I can't understand it. (Aloud.) We will negotiate this matter direct with Christiania, Sannaes. That is what we will do--and leave these little local banks alone in future. That will do, Sannaes! (Makes a gesture of dismissal. Then says to himself:) That damned Moeller! It has made them all suspicious! (Turns round and sees SANNAES still there.) What are you waiting for? Sannaes. It is settling day--and I have no money in the safe.