Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/37

 Monsen.

Oh, nonsense! Another glass, I say—to seal the bond!

[They clink glasses and drink. During what follows Bastian keeps on filling the glasses as soon as they are empty.

Monsen.

However—since we have got upon the subject—I must tell you that it's not the Chamberlain himself that keeps everything under his thumb. No, sir—old Lundestad is the man that stands behind and drives the sledge.

Stensgård.

So I am told, in many quarters. I can't understand how a Liberal like him

Monsen.

Lundestad? Do you call Anders Lundestad a Liberal? To be sure, he professed Liberalism in his young days, when he was still at the foot of the ladder. And then he inherited his seat in Parliament from his father. Good Lord! everything runs in families here.

Stensgård.

But there must be some means of putting a stop to all these abuses.

Aslaksen.

Yes, damn it all, Mr. Stensgård—see if you can't put a stop to them!

Stensgård.

I don't say that I