Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/38

 Aslaksen.

Yes, you! You are just the man. You have the gift of the gab, as the saying goes; and what's more: you have the pen of a ready writer. My paper's at your disposal, you know.

Monsen.

If anything is to be done, it must be done quickly. The preliminary election[1] comes on in three days now.

Stensgård.

And if you were elected, your private affairs would not prevent your accepting the charge?

Monsen.

My private affairs would suffer, of course; but if it appeared that the good of the community demanded the sacrifice, I should have to put aside all personal considerations.

Stensgård.

Good; that's good. And you have a party already: that I can see clearly.

Monsen.

I flatter myself the majority of the younger, go-ahead generation

Aslaksen.

H'm, h'm! 'ware spies!

1 The system of indirect election obtains in Norway. The constituencies choose a College of Electors, who, in turn, choose the Members of the Storthing or Parliament. It is the preliminary "Election of Electors" to which Monsen refers.