Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/121

 Lundestad.

No, but—I can trust you to keep the secret? Well, I'll tell you all about it. The Chamberlain thinks it was Monsen he was attacking.

Heire.

Monsen? Oh, absurd!

Lundestad.

Fact, Mr. Heire! Ringdal or Miss Thora must have got him persuaded that

Heire.

And so he goes and asks him to a state dinner-party! Deuce take me, if that isn't the best thing I've heard for long! No, really now, I can't keep that bottled up.

Lundestad.

Sh, sh! Remember your promise. The Chamberlain's your old school-fellow: and even if he has been a little hard upon you

Heire.

Hee-hee! I'll pay him back with interest!

Lundestad.

Take care! The Chamberlain is powerful. Don't play tricks in the lion's den!

Heire.

Bratsberg a lion? Pooh, he's a blockhead, sir, and I am not. Oh, won't I get a rare crop of taunts, and jibes, and innuendoes out of this, when once our great suit comes on!