Tjaelde. This has been a trap, then? I believed I had to deal with a gentleman! Berent. The banks or I, what is the difference? It comes to the same thing, as I represent them unreservedly. Tjaelde. Such impudent audacity is unpardonable! Berent. I would suggest that we avoid hard words--at all events, for the moment--and rather consider the effect that will be produced by the balance-sheet sent in. Tjaelde. That some of us will see! Berent. The banking house of Lind & Co., for instance? Tjaelde. Do you mean to say that my balance-sheet, ornamented with marginal notes by you and Holst, is to be submitted to Mr. Lind's firm too? Berent. When the cannon-salutes and noise of your festivities enlightened me as to the situation, I took the liberty of making some inquiries of the banks. Tjaelde. So you have been spying here, too? You have been trying to undermine my business connections? Berent. Is your position such, then, that you are afraid? Tjaelde. The question is not my position, but your behaviour! Berent. I think we had better keep to the point. You have put down the Brewery at-- Tjaelde. No; your conduct is so absolutely underhanded that, as an honest man, I must refuse all further dealing with you. I am, as I said before, accustomed to have to deal with gentlemen. Berent. I think you misunderstand the situation. Your indebtedness to the banks is so considerable that a settlement of it may reasonably be required of you. But to effect that you must work with us in the matter. Tjaelde (after a moment's thought). Very well! But, no more details--let me know your conclusions, briefly. Berent. My conclusions, briefly, are that you have estimated your assets at L90,800. I estimate them at L40,600. Tjaelde (quietly). That is to say, you make me out to have a deficit of about L30,000? Berent. As to that, I must point out that your estimate of your liabilities does not agree with mine, either. Tjaelde (quietly). Oh, of course not! Berent. For instance, the dividend that Moeller's estate is to yield to you. Tjaelde. No more details! What do you put my total liabilities at? Berent. Let me see. Your total liabilities amount, according to your calculations, to L70,000. I estimate them at L80,000--to be precise, at L79,372. Tjaelde. That puts my deficit at about-- Berent. At about L39,400--or, in round figures, L40,000. Tjaelde. Oh, by all means let us stick to round figures! Berent. So that the difference between your views of your balance-sheet and mine is that, whereas you give yourself a surplus of about L20,000, I give you a deficit of about L40,000. Tjaelde. Thank you very much.--Do you know my opinion of the whole matter? (BERENT looks up at him.) That I am in this room with a madman. Berent. I have had the same opinion for some time.--The stock of timber you hold in France I have not been able to deal with; you have forgotten to include it in your account. Perhaps it may make a little difference.