Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/56

 Kroll.

[Comes forward.] Well, my dear Rosmer, now you know how the spirit of the age has over-*shadowed both my domestic and my official life. And am I to refrain from combating this pernicious, subversive, anarchic spirit, with any weapon I can lay my hands on? Fight it I will, trust me for that; both with tongue and pen.

Rosmer.

Have you any hope of stemming the tide in that way?

Kroll.

At any rate I shall have done my duty as a citizen in defence of the State. And I hold it the duty of every right-minded man with an atom of patriotism to do likewise. In fact—that was my principal reason for coming out here this evening.

Rosmer.

Why, my dear Kroll, what do you mean? What can I?

Kroll.

You can stand by your old friends. Do as we do. Lend a hand, with all your might.

Rebecca.

But, Rector Kroll, you know Mr. Rosmer's distaste for public life.

Kroll.

He must get over his distaste.—You don't keep abreast of things, Rosmer. You bury yourself alive here, with your historical collections. Far be it from me to speak disrespectfully of family