Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/364

 Lona.

I understand.

Bernick.

Of course I need not tell you that I was not guilty of the supposed crime.

Lona.

Of course not. But who was the thief? Bernick.

There was no thief. There was no money stolen; not a halfpenny was missing

Lona.

What?

Bernick.

Not a halfpenny, I say.

Lona.

But the rumour? How did that shameful rumour get abroad, that Johan?

Bernick.

Lona, I find I can talk to you as I can to no one else; I shall conceal nothing from you. I had my share in spreading the rumour.

Lona.

You! And you could do this wrong to the man who, for your sake?

Bernick.

You must not condemn me without remembering how matters stood at the time. As I told you yesterday, I came home to find my mother involved in a whole series of foolish undertakings. Disasters of various kinds followed; all possible ill-luck seemed to crowd in upon us; our house was on the verge of ruin. I was half reckless