Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/248

 Several Gentlemen.

What? You, Chamberlain?

Heire.

You, my dear sir?

The Chamberlain.

Yes; it is a useful and honourable calling; or at any rate it can be made so. And now I have no reason to hold aloof any longer.

Lundestad.

Well, I'll tell you what, Chamberlain—since you are going to set to work for the good of the district, it would be a shame and disgrace if an old soldier like me were to sulk in his tent.

Erik.

Ah, what is this?

Lundestad.

I cannot, in fact. After the disappointments in love that have befallen Mr. Stensgård to-day, Heaven forbid we should force the poor fellow into the political mill. He must rest and recover; a change of air is what he wants, and I shall see that he gets it. So if my constituents want me, why, they can have me.

The Gentlemen.

[Shaking hands with him enthusiastically.] Thanks, Lundestad! That's a good fellow! You won't fail us?

The Chamberlain.

Now, this is as it should be; things are settling down again. But whom have we to thank for all this?

Fieldbo.

Come, Aslaksen, you can explain?