Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/110

 Mortensgård.

That too? No, my dear Pastor—excuse me—I don't think it would be wise to touch on that side of the matter.

Rosmer.

Not touch on it?

Mortensgård.

Not at present, I mean.

Rosmer.

I don't understand

Mortensgård.

Well you see, Pastor Rosmer—you probably don't know the ins and outs of things so well as I do. But, since you have come over to the party of freedom—and, as I hear from Miss West, you intend to take an active share in the movement—I presume you would like to be of as much service as possible, both to the cause in general and to this particular agitation.

Rosmer.

Yes, that is my earnest wish.

Mortensgård.

Good. But now I must tell you, Pastor Rosmer, that if you openly declare your defection from the Church, you tie your own hands at the very outset.

Rosmer.

Do you think so?

Mortensgård.

Yes; believe me, you won't be able to do much