Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/360

 Hilmar.

Good-day, Bernick! Well, I congratulate you on your field-day in the Trade Council yesterday.

Bernick.

Oh, thank you.

Hilmar.

It was a brilliant victory, I hear; the victory of intelligent public spirit over self-interest and prejudice—like a French razzia upon the Kabyles. Strange, that after the unpleasant scene here, you

Bernick.

Yes, yes, don't speak of it.

Hilmar.

But the tug-of-war is yet to come.

Bernick.

In the matter of the railway, you mean?

Hilmar.

Yes. I suppose you have heard of the egg that our editor-friend is hatching?

Bernick.

[Anxiously.] No! What is it?

Hilmar.

Oh, he has got hold of the rumour that's floating about, and is coming out with an article on the subject.

Bernick.

What rumour?

Hilmar.

Why, about the great buying up of property along the branch line, of course.