The Vicar. It has always been a pleasure to me to come into your most hospitable house. Tjaelde. May I have the honour of drinking a glass of wine with you? (They drink to each other.) The Vicar. Excellent champagne, my dear sir! Lind (to HOLM). It pains me to hear what you say. Is it possible that this town, which owes so much to Mr. Tjaelde, repays him with such ingratitude? Holm (in a low voice). One never can quite confidently rely on him. Lind. Really? I have heard others sing his praises so loudly, you know. Holm (as before). You misunderstand me. I mean his position-- Lind. His position? That must be merely envy! People are often so unjust towards those whose enterprise has lifted them above the heads of the crowd. Holm. At any rate I assure you it was not from-- Lind (coldly). I don't doubt it. (Walks away from him.) Jakobsen (with whom TJAELDE has just drunk). Gentlemen! Knutzon (to HOLM, in passing). Is that boor really going to be allowed to make a speech! (Going up to LIND.) May I have the honour of drinking a glass of wine with you, Mr. Lind? (Several of the guests begin to talk, ostentatiously indifferent to JAKOBSEN who is trying to begin his speech.) Jakobsen (in a formidable voice). Gentlemen! (Silence ensues, and he continues in his usual voice.) Permit a common man to say a word, too, on this festive occasion. I was a poor little boy when I entered Mr. Tjaelde's employment; but he pulled me out of the gutter. (Laughter.) I am-what I am, gentlemen! And therefore if any here is qualified to talk about Mr. Tjaelde, it is I; because I know him. I know he is a fine fellow. Lind (to TJAELDE). Children and drunken men-- Tjaelde (laughing).--speak the truth! Jakobsen. There are lots of people that will tell you one thing or another about him--and, of course, he may have his failings like all of us. But as I find myself in such fine company as this I am going to say that--that--devil take me if Mr. Tjaelde isn't too good for the lot of you! (Laughter.) Tjaelde. That's enough, Jakobsen! Jakobsen. No, it's not enough! Because there is one toast we have all forgotten, although we have all had such a splendid dinner. (Laughter. FALBE claps his hands and cries: "Bravo!") Yes, and it is nothing to laugh at; because it is the toast of Mrs. Tjaelde's health that we have not drunk! Lind. Bravo! Jakobsen. There's a wife and mother for you! I can tell you--and it's true--she goes about the house attending to her duties and preparing for our entertainment when all the time she is ill, and she takes the whole thing on her shoulders and says nothing. God bless her, I say!--and that is all I have to say. Several of the Guests (raising their glasses). Mrs. Tjaelde! Mrs. Tjaelde! Pram (grasping JAKOBSEN by the hand). That was fine of you, Jakobsen! (LIND joins them; PRAM steps aside respectfully.) Lind. Will you drink a glass of wine with me, Jakobsen? Jakobsen. Thank you, very much. I am only a common man--