Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/188

 Stensgård.

I'll tell you afterwards. But now, my dear Monsen—to return to what we were talking about—I promised to put in a good word for you

Bastian.

You promised? On the contrary, I thought you said?

Stensgård.

Oh, nonsense; you didn't let me explain myself fully. What I meant was that there is something sordid in mixing up your love with town-contracts and so forth; it is an offence against all that is noblest in your nature. So, my dear friend, if you really love the girl

Bastian.

The widow

Stensgård.

Yes, yes; it's all the same. I mean when one really loves a woman, that in itself should be a conclusive reason

Bastian.

Yes, that's just what I think. So you'll speak for me, will you?

Stensgård.

Yes, with great pleasure—but on one condition.

Bastian.

What's that?

Stensgård.

Tit for tat, my dear Bastian—you must put in a word for me too.