(SCENE--The same room. The work-table has been taken away. It is a stormy evening and already dusk. Darkness sets in as the following scene is in progress. A man-servant is lighting the chandelier; two maids bring in pots of flowers, lamps and candles, which they place on tables and stands along the walls.
RUMMEL, in dress clothes, with gloves and a white tie, is standing in the room giving instructions to the servants.)
Rummel: Only every other candle, Jacob. It must not look as if it were arranged for the occasion--it has to come as a surprise, you know. And all these flowers--? Oh, well, let them be; it will probably look as if they stood there everyday. (BERNICK comes out of his room.)
Bernick (stopping at the door): What does this mean?
Rummel: Oh dear, is it you? (To the servants.) Yes, you might leave us for the present. (The servants go out.)
Bernick: But, Rummel, what is the meaning of this?
Rummel: It means that the proudest moment of your life has come.
A procession of his fellow citizens is coming to do honour to the first man of the town.
Bernick: What!
Rummel: In procession--with banners and a band! We ought to have had torches too; but we did not like to risk that in this stormy weather. There will be illuminations--and that always sounds well in the newspapers.
Bernick: Listen, Rummel--I won't have anything to do with this.
Rummel: But it is too late now; they will be here in half-an- hour.
Bernick: But why did you not tell me about this before?
Rummel: Just because I was afraid you would raise objections to it. But I consulted your wife; she allowed me to take charge of the arrangements, while she looks after the refreshments.
Bernick (listening): What is that noise? Are they coming already?
I fancy I hear singing.
Rummel (going to the verandah door): Singing? Oh, that is only the Americans. The "Indian Girl" is being towed out.
Bernick: Towed out? Oh, yes. No, Rummel, I cannot this evening; I am not well.
Rummel: You certainly do look bad. But you must pull yourself together; devil take it--you must! Sandstad and Vigeland and I all attach the greatest importance to carrying this thing through. We have got to crush our opponents under the weight of as complete an expression of public opinion as possible. Rumours are getting about the town; our announcement about the purchase of the property cannot be withheld any longer. It is imperative that this very evening--after songs and speeches, amidst the clink of glasses--in a word, in an ebullient atmosphere of festivity-- you should inform them of the risk you have incurred for the good of the community. In such an ebullient atmosphere of festivity-- as I just now described it--you can do an astonishing lot with the people here. But you must have that atmosphere, or the thing won't go.
Bernick: Yes, yes.
Rummel: And especially when so delicate and ticklish a point has to be negotiated. Well, thank goodness, you have a name that will be a tower of strength, Bernick. But listen now; we must make our arrangements, to some extent. Mr. Hilmar Tonnesen has written an ode to you. It begins very charmingly with the words: "Raise the Ideal's banner high!" And Mr. Rorlund has undertaken the task of making the speech of the evening. Of course you must reply to that.
Bernick: I cannot tonight, Rummel. Couldn't you--?
Rummel: It is impossible, however willing I might be; because, as you can imagine, his speech will be especially addressed to you.
Of course it is possible he may say a word or two about the rest of us; I have spoken to Vigeland and Sandstad about it. Our idea is that, in replying, you should propose the toast of "Prosperity to our Community"; Sandstad will say a few words on the subject of harmonious relations between the different strata of society; then Vigeland will express the hope that this new undertaking may not disturb the sound moral basis upon which our community stands; and I propose, in a few suitable words, to refer to the ladies, whose work for the community, though more inconspicuous, is far from being without its importance. But you are not listening to me.
Bernick: Yes--indeed I am. But, tell me, do you think there is a very heavy sea running outside?
Rummel: Why, are you nervous about the "Palm Tree"? She is fully insured, you know.
Bernick: Yes, she is insured; but--Rummel: And in good repair--and that is the main thing.
Bernick: Hm--. Supposing anything does happen to a ship, it doesn't follow that human life will be in danger, does it? The ship and the cargo may be lost--and one might lose one's boxes and papers--Rummel: Good Lord--boxes and papers are not of much consequence.
Bernick: Not of much consequence! No, no; I only meant--. Hush--I hear voices again.
Rummel: It is on board the "Palm Tree."
(VIGELAND comes in from the right.)
Vigeland: Yes, they are just towing the "Palm Tree" out. Good evening, Mr. Bernick.
Bernick: And you, as a seafaring man, are still of opinion that--Vigeland: I put my trust in Providence, Mr. Bernick. Moreover, I have been on board myself and distributed a few small tracts which I hope may carry a blessing with them.
(SANDSTAD and KRAP come in from the right.)
Sandstad (to some one at the door): Well, if that gets through all right, anything will. (Comes in.) Ah, good evening, good evening!
Bernick: Is anything the matter, Krap?
Krap: I say nothing, Mr. Bernick.
Sandstad: The entire crew of the "Indian Girl" are drunk; I will stake my reputation on it that they won't come out of it alive.
(LONA comes in from the right.)
Lona: Ah, now I can say his good-byes for him.
Bernick: Is he on board already?
Lona: He will be directly, at any rate. We parted outside the hotel.
Bernick: And he persists in his intention?
Lona: As firm as a rock.
Rummel (who is fumbling at the window): Confound these new- fangled contrivances; I cannot get the curtains drawn.
Lona: Do you want them drawn? I thought, on the contrary--Rummel: Yes, drawn at first, Miss Hessel. You know what is in the wind, I suppose?
