Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/308

 Aune.

I have nought to say against progress, Consul.

Bernick.

No, for your own narrow circle, for the working class. Oh, I know all about your agitations! You make speeches; you stir people up; but when it comes to a tangible piece of progress, as in the case of the machines, you will have nothing to do with it; you are afraid.

Aune.

Yes, I'm afraid, Consul; I'm afraid for the hundreds of poor folks as the machines'll take the bread out of their mouths. You talk a deal of duty towards Society, Consul, but it seems to me as Society has duties of its own as well. What business have science and capital to bring all these new-fangled inventions into the field before Society has turned out a breed of men that can use them?

Bernick.

You read and think too much, Aune; it does you no good; that is what makes you dissatisfied with your position.

Aune.

It's not that, Consul; but I can't abear to see one good workman after another packed off to starve for the sake of these machines.

Bernick.

H'm; when printing was discovered, many copyists had to starve.

Aune.

Would you have thought printing such a fine thing, Consul, if you'd have been a copyist?