Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/429

 Rummel.

It's not true! Prove!—prove!

Vigeland.

We have not agreed to anything!

Sandstad.

Well, I must say

Bernick.

Quite right; we have not yet agreed on what I was about to mention. But I am confident that these three gentlemen will acquiesce when I say that I have this evening determined to form a joint-stock company for the exploitation of these properties; whoever will can have shares in it.

Many Voices.

Hurrah! Long live Consul Bernick!

Rummel.

[Aside to Bernick.] Such base treachery!

Sandstad.

[Likewise.] Then you've been fooling us!

Vigeland.

Why then, devil take! Oh, Lord, what am I saying!

The Crowd.

[Outside.] Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!

Bernick.

Silence, gentlemen. I have no right to this homage; for what I have now determined was not my original intention. My intention was to retain the whole myself; and I am still of opinion that the property can be most profitably worked if it