Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/61

 Heire.

Too late, sir! Unless you want to stand godfather. [Cheering from the tent.] There, they're chanting Amen; the baptism is over.

Lundestad.

I suppose one may be permitted to listen; I shall keep quiet. [Enters the tent.

Heire.

There goes one of the falling trees! There will be a rare uprooting, I can tell you! The place will soon look like a wood after a tornado. Won't I chuckle over it!

Fieldbo.

Tell me, Mr. Heire, what interest have you in the matter?

Heire.

Interest? I am entirely disinterested, Doctor! If I chuckle, it is on behalf of my fellow citizens. There will be life, spirit, go, in things. For my own part—good Lord, it's all the same to me; I say, as the Grand Turk said of the Emperor of Austria and the King of France—I don't care whether the pig eats the dog or the dog the pig.

[Goes out towards the back on the right.

The Crowd.

[In the tent.] Long live Stensgård! Hurrah! Hurrah for the League of Youth! Wine! Punch! Hei, hei! Beer! Hurrah!

Bastian.

[Comes from the tent.] God bless you and every one! [With tears in his voice.] Oh, Doctor, I feel so strong this evening; I must do something.