Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/46

 Heire.

I had a sufficient excuse: had to cross the river, and it was unfortunately the very year of Bastian's bridge—plump! down it went, you know

Bastian.

Why, confound it all!

Heire.

Take it coolly, young man! You are not the first that has bent the bow till it breaks. Everything runs in families, you know I say no more.

Monsen.

Ho ho ho! You say no more, eh? Well, drink, then, and say no more! [To Stensgård.] You see, Mr. Heire's tongue is licensed to wag as it pleases.

Heire.

Yes, freedom of speech is the only civic right I really value.

Stensgård.

What a pity the law should restrict it.

Heire.

Hee-hee! Our legal friend's mouth is watering for a nice action for slander, eh? Make your mind easy, my dear sir! I'm an old hand, let me tell you!

Stensgård.

Especially at slander?