Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/131

 The Chamberlain.

Don't mention that fellow!—It is he that has relaxed the moral sense of the district. And now he has gone and turned my son's head, confound him!

Thora.

Erik's?

Fieldbo.

Your son's?

The Chamberlain.

Yes; what tempted him to go and set up in business? It leads to nothing.

Fieldbo.

Why, my dear Chamberlain, he must live and

The Chamberlain.

Oh, with economy he could quite well live on the money that came to him from his mother.

Fieldbo.

He might perhaps live on it; but what could he live for?

The Chamberlain.

For? Well, if he absolutely must have something to live for, hasn't he qualified as a lawyer? He might live for his profession.

Fieldbo.

No, that he couldn't do; it is against his nature. Then there was no official appointment he could well hope for; you have kept the management of your property in your own hands; and your son has no children to educate. Under these circumstances, when he sees tempting examples around