Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/227

 The Chamberlain.

Well, really, I should have thought we were all Liberals.

Lundestad.

Yes, of course we are Liberals, Chamberlain; not a doubt of it. But the thing is that we are Liberal only on our own behalf, whereas Stensgård's Liberalism extends to other people. That's the novelty of the thing.

The Chamberlain.

And you are going over to these subversive ideas?

Lundestad.

I've read in old story-books about people who could summon up spirits, but could not lay them again.

The Chamberlain.

Why, my dear Lundestad, how can a man of your enlightenment?

Lundestad.

I know it's mere popish superstition, Chamberlain. But new ideas are like those spirits: it's not so easy to lay them; the best plan is to compromise with them as best you can.

The Chamberlain.

But now that Monsen has fallen, and no doubt his crew of agitators with him

Lundestad.

If Monsen's fall had come two or three days ago, things would have been very different.

The Chamberlain.

Yes, unfortunately. You have been too hasty.