Three Dramas by Bjornstjerne M. Bjornson

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Hamar (in consternation).Good Lord, yes! (Rushes to the window, but
comes back.) I have no handkerchief. I must have laid it down in
the dining-room.

Tjaelde. Here is mine!(Feels in his pocket for it.) One cannot rely
on you for the least thing. The salute will be too late now. It is
disgraceful! (HAMAR goes to the window and waves the handkerchief
madly. At last the report of a cannon is heard. The guests are
standing in a group, holding their dessert plates.)

Holm. A little bit late!

Knutzon. Rather behind the moment--

Ring. A very important moment, however!

Holm. A very unexpected one, anyway!

Knutzon (jestingly). Allow me, amidst the cannon's roar, to
introduce to you a man who has been led by the nose!

Ring. Oh, Tjaelde knows what he is about!

Tjaelde. Mr. Lind is kind enough to wish to propose a toast. (They
all compose themselves into respectful silence.)

Lind. Our worthy host has proposed my health in most flattering
terms. I would merely add this, that wealth is entrusted to those
who have it precisely in order that they may support industry,
genius, and great undertakings.

Pram (who has never changed his position). Nobly said.

Lind. I am only an administrator of a trust, and too often a weak
and short-sighted one.

Pram. Beautiful.

Lind. But I shall not be mistaken if I say that Mr. Tjaelde's
many-sided activities, which we must all admire, rest upon a sound
foundation; and of that fact no one, at the present moment, is
better able to judge than I. (The guests look at one another in
surprise.) Therefore I have no hesitation in saying that his
activities are an honour to this town, to this district, to our
whole country, and that therefore his genius and his energy deserve
support. I propose the toast of "prosperity to the firm of
Tjaelde!"

All. Prosperity to the firm of Tjaelde!

(HAMAR signals again with the handkerchief, and a cannon shot is
heard.)

Tjaelde. I thank you heartily, Mr. Lind! I am profoundly touched.

Lind. I said no more than I am convinced of, Mr. Tjaelde!!

Tjaelde. Thank you! (To HAMAR.) What do you mean by signalling for
a salute for the host? Blockhead!

Hamar. You said there was to be a salute when a toast was proposed,
didn't you?

Tjaelde. Oh, you are a--!

Hamar (to himself). Well, if ever again I--!

Holm. Then it is an accomplished fact, I suppose?

Knutzon. _Fait accompli_! That toast represents twenty thousand
pounds, at least.

Ring. Yes, Tjaelde knows what he is about! I have always said that!
(FALBE is seen drinking ceremoniously with LIND. JAKOBSEN comes
forward, talking to KNUDSEN.)

Jakobsen (in a low voice). There isn't a word of truth in what you
say!

Knudsen. But, my dear Jakobsen, you misunderstand me!

Jakobsen (louder). Hang it, I know my people!

Knudsen. Don't talk so loud!

Jakobsen (still louder). What I say any one may hear!

Tjaelde. (at the same moment). The Vicar wishes to say a few words.

Knudsen (to JAKOBSEN). Hush! The Vicar wishes to say a few words.

Jakobsen. Have I got to hush because that damned--

Tjaelde (in a voice of authority). The Vicar wishes to speak.

Jakobsen. I beg your pardon!

The Vicar (in a feeble voice). As the spiritual adviser of this
household, I have the pleasing duty of invoking a blessing on the
gifts that have been so richly showered upon our host and his
friends. May they be to their souls' present good and eternal
welfare!

Pram. Amen.

The Vicar. I am going to ask you to drink the health of our host's
dear children--those lovely girls whose welfare has been the object
of my prayers ever since they were confirmed--ever since that
memorable day when household and religious duties began to walk
side by side.

Pram. Ah, yes!

The Vicar. May they always in the future, as they have in the past,
grow in the holy fear of God and in meekness and gratitude towards
their parents!

All. Miss Valborg, Miss Signe!

Hamar (in a panic). Am I to signal?

Tjaelde. Oh, go to--!

Hamar. Well, if ever again--!

Tjaelde. Thank you very much, Mr. Vicar. Like you, I hope that
the intimate relations between parent and child that exist here--

The Vicar. It has always been a pleasure to me to come into your
most hospitable house.

Tjaelde. May I have the honour of drinking a glass of wine with
you? (They drink to each other.)

The Vicar. Excellent champagne, my dear sir!

Lind (to HOLM). It pains me to hear what you say. Is it possible
that this town, which owes so much to Mr. Tjaelde, repays him
with such ingratitude?

Holm (in a low voice). One never can quite confidently rely on him.

Lind. Really? I have heard others sing his praises so loudly, you
know.

Holm (as before). You misunderstand me. I mean his position--

Lind. His position? That must be merely envy! People are often so
unjust towards those whose enterprise has lifted them above the
heads of the crowd.

Holm. At any rate I assure you it was not from--

Lind (coldly). I don't doubt it. (Walks away from him.)

Jakobsen (with whom TJAELDE has just drunk). Gentlemen!

Knutzon (to HOLM, in passing). Is that boor really going to be
allowed to make a speech! (Going up to LIND.) May I have the honour
of drinking a glass of wine with you, Mr. Lind? (Several of the
guests begin to talk, ostentatiously indifferent to JAKOBSEN who is
trying to begin his speech.)

Jakobsen (in a formidable voice). Gentlemen! (Silence ensues, and
he continues in his usual voice.) Permit a common man to say a
word, too, on this festive occasion. I was a poor little boy when I
entered Mr. Tjaelde's employment; but he pulled me out of the
gutter. (Laughter.) I am-what I am, gentlemen! And therefore if
any here is qualified to talk about Mr. Tjaelde, it is I; because I
know him. I know he is a fine fellow.

Lind (to TJAELDE). Children and drunken men--

Tjaelde (laughing). --speak the truth!

Jakobsen. There are lots of people that will tell you one thing or
another about him--and, of course, he may have his failings like
all of us. But as I find myself in such fine company as this I am
going to say that--that--devil take me if Mr. Tjaelde isn't too
good for the lot of you! (Laughter.)

Tjaelde. That's enough, Jakobsen!

Jakobsen. No, it's not enough! Because there is one toast we have
all forgotten, although we have all had such a splendid dinner.
(Laughter. FALBE claps his hands and cries: "Bravo!") Yes, and it
is nothing to laugh at; because it is the toast of Mrs. Tjaelde's
health that we have not drunk!

Lind. Bravo!

Jakobsen. There's a wife and mother for you! I can tell you--and
it's true--she goes about the house attending to her duties and
preparing for our entertainment when all the time she is ill, and
she takes the whole thing on her shoulders and says nothing. God
bless her, I say!--and that is all I have to say.

Several of the Guests (raising their glasses). Mrs. Tjaelde! Mrs.
Tjaelde!

Pram (grasping JAKOBSEN by the hand). That was fine of you,
Jakobsen! (LIND joins them; PRAM steps aside respectfully.)

Lind. Will you drink a glass of wine with me, Jakobsen?

Jakobsen. Thank you, very much. I am only a common man--

Lind. But a good-hearted one! Your health! (They drink to each
other. A boat is seen putting in to shore below the verandah. Its
crew of six men stand up and toss their oars in naval fashion.
SANNAES is standing at the helm.)

Holm (in a whisper, to KNUTZON). Tjaelde knew what he was doing
when he invited Jakobsen!

Knutzon (whispering). Just look at the boat!

Ring. Tjaelde is a very clever fellow--a very clever fellow!
(VALBORG, SIGNE and MRS. TJAELDE are seen coming up the verandah
steps.)

Tjaelde. Gentlemen, the moment of departure is at hand; I see the
ladies coming to take leave of our distinguished guest. Let us take
this last opportunity of gathering around him--round our prince--
and thanking him for coming! Let us cheer him with three times
three! (Cheers.)

Lind. Thank you, gentlemen! There is so little time left that I
must confine myself to merely bidding you all good-bye. (To MRS.
TJAELDE.) Good-bye, my dear madam! You should have heard how your
health was proposed and drunk just now. My warmest thanks for
your hospitality, and forgive me for the trouble I have caused you.
(To SIGNE.) Good-bye, Miss Signe. I am sorry time has not permitted
me to have the honour of becoming better acquainted with you; you
seem so full of spirit! But if, as you said, you are soon coming to
Christiania--

Signe. I shall then do myself the honour of calling upon your wife.

Lind. Thank you, thank you--you will be most welcome. (To VALBORG.)
Are you not feeling well, Miss Valborg?

Valborg. Yes.

Lind. You look so serious. (As VALBORG does not reply, he continues
somewhat coldly:) Good-bye, Miss Valborg. (To HAMAR.) Good-bye,
Mr.--Mr.--

Tjaelde. Mr. Hamar.

Lind. Ah, the young man that talked to me about a horse--your
future son-in-law! Pray forgive me for not--

Hamar. Don't mention it!

Lind. Good-bye!

Hamar. A pleasant journey, sir!

Lind (coldly, to HOLM). Good-bye, Mr. Holm.

Holm (imperturbably polite). I wish you a very pleasant journey,
Mr. Lind.

Lind (to PRAM). Good-bye, Mr. Pram.

Pram (holds his hand, and seems as if he wanted to say something
but could not. At last he finds his voice). I want to thank you
for--for--I want to thank you for--for--

Lind. You are an excellent fellow!

Pram (in a relieved voice). I am so glad to hear it! Thank you.

Lind (to KNUTZON). Good-bye, Mr.--

Knutzon (hastily). Knutzon.

Pram. With a "z."

Lind (to KNUDSEN). Good-bye, Mr.--

Knudsen. Knudsen, again.

Pram. With an "s."

Lind (to FALBE). Mr--?

Falbe. Falbe.

Lind. Good-bye, Mr. Falbe! (To RING.) I am delighted to see you
looking so well, Mr. Ring.

Ring (with a low bow). The same to you, sir!

Lind. Good-bye, Mr. Vicar!

The Vicar (holding his hand, impressively). Let me wish you good
luck and happiness, Mr. Lind--

Lind. Thank you. (Tries to get away.)

The Vicar. --in your journey over the perilous seas to foreign
lands!

Lind. Thank you. (Tries to get away.)

The Vicar. Let me wish you a safe return, Mr. Lind--

Lind. Thank you very much. (Tries to get away.)

The Vicar. --to our dear fatherland; a land, Mr. Lind, which
possesses in you--

Lind. You must excuse me, Mr. Vicar, but time presses.

The Vicar. Let me thank you for the pleasure of our meeting
to-day, Mr. Lind, for--

Lind. Indeed, there is no occasion! Good-bye! (To JAKOBSEN.)
Good-bye, Jakobsen, good-bye!

Jakobsen. Good-bye, Mr. Lind! I am only a common man, I know; but
that is no reason why I shouldn't wish you a pleasant journey too,
is it?

Lind. Certainly not, Jakobsen.--Good-bye, Mr. Finne! By the way--
just a word! (In an undertone.) You said that Mr. Berent--.
(Takes him aside.)

Tjaelde (to HAMAR). Now, remember the salute this time!--No, no,
no! Don't be in such a hurry! Wait till the boat puts off! You
want to make a mess of it again!

Hamar. Well, if ever again I--!

Tjaelde (to LIND, who holds out his hand to him). Goodbye, Mr.
Lind! (In a low voice.) No one has so much reason to thank you
for your visit as I. You are the only one that can understand--.

Lind (a shade coldly). Don't mention it, Mr. Tjaelde! Good luck to
your business! (In warmer tones.) Good-bye everybody--and thank you
all for your kindness! (The footman, who has for some time been
holding out his hat to him, gives it him, and his coat to SANNAES.
LIND steps on board the boat.)

All. Good-bye, Mr. Lind, good-bye!

Tjaelde. One cheer more! (Cheers and a cannon salute are heard
together. The boat glides away. They all wave their handkerchiefs.
TJAELDE hurries into the room.) I have no handkerchief; that
blockhead has--. (Looks at VALBORG.) Why are you not waving?

Valborg. Because I don't wish to. (TJAELDE looks at her, but says
nothing. He goes into the other room and comes back with a
table-napkin in each hand, and hurries on to the verandah.)

Tjaelde (waving and shouting). Good-bye! Good-bye!

Signe. Let us go out to the point and see the last of them!

All. Yes, yes! (All but TJAELDE and VALBORG hurry off to the
right.)

Tjaelde (coming into the room). I saw Berent coming! (VALBORG
goes out by the door on the right. TJAELDE comes forward, throws
the napkins on to a table and himself into a chair.) Oh--oh! But
this must be the last time.--I shan't need this sort of thing any
more! Never again! (Gets up wearily.) Ah, I had forgotten. Berent!

[The Curtain falls.]

[The interval between this scene and the next should be as short as
possible.]

SCENE II

(SCENE.-TJAELDE'S private office. On the left, a desk strewn with
ledgers and papers. On the right, a stove. An easy chair by the
stove. A table in the foreground to the right; on it an inkstand
and pens. Two armchairs; one at the table facing the audience, the
other at the side of the table. Windows on either side of the desk;
a door beyond the stove. A door in the background, leading to other
offices. A bell-pull hangs down the wall. A chair on either side of
the door. Quite at the back, on the left, a staircase leading
direct to TJAELDE'S bedroom. BERENT and TJAELDE come in from the
back.)

Tjaelde. You must excuse my receiving you here. But the other
rooms are all upside down; we have had some people to dinner.

Berent. I heard you had guests.

Tjaelde. Yes, Mr. Lind from Christiana.

Berent. Quite so.

Tjaelde. Won't you sit down? (BERENT lays down his hat and coat
on a chair by the door. He comes slowly forward, sits down at the
side of the table, and takes some papers from his breast-pocket.
TJAELDE sits down at the other chair by the table and watches him
indifferently.)

Berent. What we now want is some fixed standard by which to make
our valuations, especially of real estate. Have you any objection
to our making your business a basis for arriving at that?

Tjaelde. None at all.

Berent. Then may I make my comments on your own figures, and ask
you a few questions about them?

Tjaelde. By all means.

Berent. Well, to begin with, let us take your properties
immediately round here; they will give us the best idea of local
values. For instance, take the Mjölstad forest; you have put that
down, I see, at £16,500.

Tjaelde (indifferently). Have I?

Berent. You bought it for £10,000.

Tjaelde. Yes, four years ago. Timber prices ruled low then.

Berent. And since then you have cut down more than £20,000
worth of timber there.

Tjaelde. Who told you so?

Berent. Mr. Holst.

Tjaelde. Holst knows nothing about it.

Berent. We must try to be very accurate, you know.

Tjaelde. Well, of course, the whole valuation is not my concern;
but those whom it does concern will protest.

Berent (taking no notice of his objection). So I think we will
reduce the £16,500 to £10,000.

Tjaelde. To £10,000! (Laughs.) As you please.

Berent. Calculating by the same standard, we can scarcely put
down the Stav forest at more than £4000.

Tjaelde. Allow me to say that, if that is the way you are going to
make your valuation, everybody in the place will have to go
bankrupt!

Berent (with a smile). We will risk that. You have put down your
wharf and its contents at £12,000.

Tjaelde. Including two ships in course of construction--

Berent. --for which it would be difficult to find a purchaser, as
they are so far from completion.

Tjaelde. Indeed?

Berent. So I think we cannot put down the wharf and its contents
at a higher figure than £8,000--and I believe even that will turn
out to be too high.

Tjaelde. If you can find me another wharf as well stocked, and
with the advantages that this one has, I will buy it whenever you
like for £8000; I am certain I should be more than £4000 to the
good over the bargain.

Berent. May I go on?

Tjaelde. If you like! I even feel a certain curiosity to view my
possessions under such an entirely new light.

Berent. As a matter of fact the items that are too highly valued
are just those that comprise this property that you live on--its
land, its gardens, its dwelling houses, warehouses, and quays-not
to mention the brewery and the factory, which I shall come to
later. Even regarded as business premises they seem to me to be
over-valued.

Tjaelde. Well?

Berent, Moreover, the luxurious appointments of this house of
yours, which would very probably be superfluous for any one else,
cannot possibly be counted upon to realise their full value in a
sale. Suppose--as is indeed most likely--that it were a countryman
that bought the place?

Tjaelde. You are reckoning me as turned out of it already, then!

Berent. I am obliged to base all my calculations on what the
property would fetch if sold now.

Tjaelde (getting up). What may you happen to value it at then?

Berent. At less than half your valuation; that is to say at--

Tjaelde. You must really forgive me if I use an expression which
has been on the tip of my tongue for some time: this is scandalous!
You force yourself into a man's house, and then, under pretext of
asking for his opinion, you practically--on paper--rob him of his
possessions!

Berent. I don't understand you. I am trying to arrive at a basis
for values hereabouts; and you said yourself, did you not, that it
is a matter that does not concern you alone?

Tjaelde. Certainly; but even in jest--if I may be allowed the
expression--one does not take the statement that an honourable
man has voluntarily offered and treat it as a mendacious document.

Berent. There are many different points of view from which
valuations can be made, obviously. I see nothing more in it than
that.

Tjaelde. But don't you understand that this is like cutting into my
living flesh? Bit by bit, my property has been brought together
or created by my own work, and preserved by the most strenuous
exertions on my part under terribly trying conditions--it is bound
up with my family, with all that is dear to me--it has become a
part of my very life!

Berent (with a bow). I understand that perfectly. You have put
down the Brewery at--

Tjaelde. No; I refuse to allow you to go on in this way. You must
find some one else's property as a basis for your calculations--
you must consult some one else, whose idea of business corresponds
somewhat closer to your own ridiculous one.

Berent (leaning back in his chair). That is a pity. The banks were
anxious to be acquainted with your answers to my observations.

Tjaelde. Have you sent my statement to the banks?

Berent. With my remarks and comments on it, and Mr. Holst's.

Tjaelde. This has been a trap, then? I believed I had to deal with
a gentleman!

Berent. The banks or I, what is the difference? It comes to the
same thing, as I represent them unreservedly.

Tjaelde. Such impudent audacity is unpardonable!

Berent. I would suggest that we avoid hard words--at all events,
for the moment--and rather consider the effect that will be
produced by the balance-sheet sent in.

Tjaelde. That some of us will see!

Berent. The banking house of Lind & Co., for instance?

Tjaelde. Do you mean to say that my balance-sheet, ornamented with
marginal notes by you and Holst, is to be submitted to Mr. Lind's
firm too?

Berent. When the cannon-salutes and noise of your festivities
enlightened me as to the situation, I took the liberty of making
some inquiries of the banks.

Tjaelde. So you have been spying here, too? You have been trying to
undermine my business connections?

Berent. Is your position such, then, that you are afraid?

Tjaelde. The question is not my position, but your behaviour!

Berent. I think we had better keep to the point. You have put
down the Brewery at--

Tjaelde. No; your conduct is so absolutely underhanded that, as an
honest man, I must refuse all further dealing with you. I am, as I
said before, accustomed to have to deal with gentlemen.

Berent. I think you misunderstand the situation. Your indebtedness
to the banks is so considerable that a settlement of it may
reasonably be required of you. But to effect that you must work
with us in the matter.

Tjaelde (after a moment's thought). Very well! But, no more
details--let me know your conclusions, briefly.

Berent. My conclusions, briefly, are that you have estimated
your assets at £90,800. I estimate them at £40,600.

Tjaelde (quietly). That is to say, you make me out to have a
deficit of about £30,000?

Berent. As to that, I must point out that your estimate of your
liabilities does not agree with mine, either.

Tjaelde (quietly). Oh, of course not!

Berent. For instance, the dividend that Möller's estate is to
yield to you.

Tjaelde. No more details! What do you put my total liabilities at?

Berent. Let me see. Your total liabilities amount, according to
your calculations, to £70,000. I estimate them at £80,000--to be
precise, at £79,372.

Tjaelde. That puts my deficit at about--

Berent. At about £39,400--or, in round figures, £40,000.

Tjaelde. Oh, by all means let us stick to round figures!

Berent. So that the difference between your views of your
balance-sheet and mine is that, whereas you give yourself a
surplus of about £20,000, I give you a deficit of about £40,000.

Tjaelde. Thank you very much.--Do you know my opinion of the whole
matter? (BERENT looks up at him.) That I am in this room with a
madman.

Berent. I have had the same opinion for some time.--The stock of
timber you hold in France I have not been able to deal with; you
have forgotten to include it in your account. Perhaps it may make
a little difference.

Tjaelde. It is of no consequence! I have often enough heard people
speak of your callousness and your heartlessness; but their account
of you has come nowhere near the truth. I don't know why I have not
turned you out of my house long before this; but you will have the
goodness to leave it now!

Berent. We shall both leave presently. But before we do, we must
discuss the question of handing over the house to the Receiver in
Bankruptcy.

Tjaelde. Ha, ha, ha! Allow me to inform you that at this very
moment a sum is being telegraphed to me which will be sufficient
not only to cover my present liabilities, but to set me straight in
every direction!

Berent. The telegraph is a useful invention which is open to every
one.

Tjaelde (after a moment's thought). What do you mean by that?

Berent. One effect of the noise of your festivities was that I used
the telegraph also. Mr. Lind will receive, on board the boat, a
telegram from his firm--and I doubt if the money you speak of will
be forthcoming.

Tjaelde. It is not true! You have not dared to do that!

Berent. The facts are exactly as I state.

Tjaelde. Give me my balance-sheet; let me look at it again.
(Stretches out his hand to take it.)

Berent (taking it up). Excuse me!

Tjaelde. Do you presume to keep back my own balance-sheet in
my own writing?

Berent. Yes, and even to put it in my pocket. (Does so.) A
fraudulent balance-sheet, dated and signed, is a document of
some importance.

Tjaelde. You are determined to ruin my private and public
reputation?

Berent. You have been working for that yourself for a long time. I
know your position. For a month past I have been in correspondence
with all the quarters in which you have business connections, both
here any I abroad.

Tjaelde. What underhanded deceitfulness an honest man is exposed
to! Here have I been surrounded by spies for the last month! A
plot between my business acquaintances and the banks! A snake
creeping into my house and crawling over my accounts! But I will
break up the conspiracy! And you will find out what it mean, to try
and ruin a reputable firm by underhand devices!

Berent. This is no time for fine phrases. Do you propose to
surrender your property at once?

Tjaelde. Ha, ha! I am to surrender it because you have made me
out a bankrupt on your bit of paper!

Berent. You might conceal the facts for a month, I know. But for
your own sake, and especially for the sake of others, I would
urgently advise you to end the matter at once. That was the reason
of my journey here.

Tjaelde. Ah, now the truth is out! And you came here pretending a
friendly concern that the tangle should be straightened out! We
were to distinguish between the sound and unsound firms, and you
requested me, most politely, to give you my assistance in the
matter!

Berent. Exactly. But there is no question of anything unsound here
except your own business and what is bound up with it.

Tjaelde (when he has controlled himself). So you came into my house
with the hidden design of ruining me?

Berent. I must repeat that it is not I that am responsible for your
bankruptcy; it is yourself.

Tjaelde. And I must repeat that my bankruptcy only exists in your
imagination! Much may happen in a month; and I have shown that I
can find a way out of difficulties before now!

Berent. That is to say, by involving yourself deeper and deeper in
falsehood.

Tjaelde. Only a man of business can understand such things. But,
if you really understand them, I would say to you: "Give me
£20,000 and I will save the situation entirely." That would be
doing something worthy of your great powers; that would give
you a reputation for penetration in discerning the real state of
affairs; because by so doing you would safeguard the welfare of
more than a thousand people, and ensure a prosperous future for
the whole district!

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