Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/118

 Aslaksen.

[Smiling.] H'm! [Points to the desk.] Governor Stensgård[1] sat in that editorial chair before you.

Billing.

[Spitting.] Pooh! A turncoat like that!

Hovstad.

I am no weathercock—and never will be.

Aslaksen.

A politician should never be too sure of anything on earth, Mr. Hovstad. And as for you, Mr. Billing, you ought to take in a reef or two, I should say, now that you are applying for the secretaryship to the Town Council.

Billing.

I!

Hovstad.

Is that so, Billing?

Billing.

Well, yes—but, deuce take it, you understand, I'm only doing it to spite their high-mightinesses.

Aslaksen.

Well, that has nothing to do with me. But if I am to be accused of cowardice and inconsistency, I should just like to point out this: My political record is open to every one. I have not changed at all, except in becoming more moderate. My

1 It will be remembered that Aslaksen figures in The League of Youth, of which Stensgård is the central character. Stensgård, we see, has justified Lundestad's prophecy by attaining the high administrative dignity of "Stiftamtmand," here roughly translated "Governor."