Tjaelde (to himself). Although Holm is a boor. Still, it will annoy Holst. (Aloud.) The Chief Constable. Hamar. The Chief-- Tjaelde. No, strike out the Chief Constable. Hamar. Chief Constable struck out. Tjaelde. Have we got the Vicar down? Hamar. He is number one on the list. Tjaelde. Of course, yes. Hamar. What about the Magistrate? Tjaelde. No, he lives too far off. Besides, unless he is the guest of honour and can talk shop all the time--. No! But, let me see. Mr. Knutzon--Knutzon with a "z." Hamar. Knutzon with a "z." Tjaelde. Oh!--and--Knudsen, too! Knudsen with an "s." Hamar. Knudsen with an "s." Tjaelde. How many have we got? Hamar. The Vicar, Ring, Holm, the Chief--oh, no, the Chief Constable was struck out; Knutzon with a "z," Knudsen with an "s "--that is one, two, three, four, five, six. Tjaelde. And Finne, you, and I make nine. We must have twelve. Hamar. What about some ladies? Tjaelde. No; ladies are out of place at a business dinner. They may do the honours afterwards, when we have got to the cigarette stage. But whom shall we--? Hamar. That new lawyer fellow? He's a smart chap--I can't remember his name? Tjaelde. No, he always wants to be speechifying wherever he goes.--Ah, Mr. Pram, the custom-house officer! Hamar. That man? He always gets drunk! Tjaelde. Yes, but he doesn't get noisy with it. He does no harm--quite the contrary! Yes, put down Pram. Hamar. Mr. Pram. Tjaelde. It is a very difficult task, in such a small town, when you want to get a good set of people together. Ah!--Falbe! I forgot him. He is very neat, and no opinions. Hamar. Neat in his dress, do you mean? Tjaelde. Yes, in his dress too-but I meant it more generally. Now, for the twelfth--Morten Schultz? Hamar. Morten Schultz! (Gets up.) No, really, I must take the liberty of protesting against him! Do you really know what he did the last time he was here, when you had a lot of guests? In the middle of dinner he took out his false teeth and began showing them to his neighbours. He wanted to have them passed round the table! If that is your idea of a good set of people--well! Tjaelde. Yes, he is rather a rough diamond. But he is the richest man about here. Hamar (who has sat down again). Well in that case he really ought to afford himself a new wig! It is far from pleasant to sit beside him, I can assure you! Tjaelde. Yes, I know he is a pig; but he is wide awake, and this would flatter him! You see, my young friend, when a man is very rich you must make certain allowances for him. Hamar. I can't understand what _you_ can hope to get out of him. Tjaelde. Hm, hm!--No, well, perhaps we had better leave him out? Hamar. Certainly! Tjaelde (to himself). Although Lind would understand the significance of Morten Schultz's being here-- Hamar. And the things he says! Ladies have to leave the room!