Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/426

 Rörlund.

Only a few words more, Consul Bernick. Your labours on behalf of this community have certainly not been undertaken in the hope of any tangible reward. But you cannot reject a slight token of your grateful fellow citizens' appreciation, least of all on this momentous occasion, when, as practical men assure us, we are standing on the threshold of a new era.

Many Voices.

Bravo! Hear, hear! Hear, hear!

[He gives the porters a sign; they bring forward the basket; members of the Committee take out and present, during the following speech, the articles mentioned.

Rörlund.

Therefore, I have now, Consul Bernick, to hand you a silver coffee service. Let it grace your board when we in future, as so often in the past, have the pleasure of meeting under this hospitable roof.

And you, too, gentlemen, who have so zealously co-operated with the first man of our community, we would beg to accept some trifling mementos. This silver goblet we tender to you, Mr. Rummel. You have many a time, amid the ring of wine-cups, done battle in eloquent words for the civic interests of our community; may you often find worthy opportunities to lift and drain this goblet.—To you, Mr. Sandstad, I hand this album, with photographs of your fellow citizens. Your well-known and much-appreciated philanthropy has placed you in the happy position of counting among your friends members of all sections of the