Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/142

 Monsen.

You can have them now, with the saw-mills and all appurtenances

The Chamberlain.

After all your sinful cutting and hacking!

Monsen.

Oh, they're worth a good deal still; and with your method of working, in a few years

The Chamberlain.

Thank you; unfortunately I must decline the proposal.

Monsen.

There's a great deal of money in it, Chamberlain. As for me,—I may tell you I have a great speculation on hand; the stakes are large; I mean there's a big haul to be made—a hundred thousand or so

The Chamberlain.

A hundred thousand? That is certainly no trifle.

Monsen.

Ha ha ha! A nice round sum to add to the pile. But when you're going into a great battle you need reserve forces, as the saying goes. There's not much ready money about; the names that are worth anything are rather used up

The Chamberlain.

Yes, certain people have taken care of that.