Three Dramas | Page 6

the
position into which you have put the whole of us. (Both he and his wife
avoid looking at HARALD during this discussion.)
Mrs. Evje. Say what you really mean, dear--that he is making us all
thoroughly unhappy, and that is the truth!
Harald (getting up, and walking up and down). Well, look here--I have
a proposal to make. It is, that you should abandon all opposition to
Gertrud's marrying me at once. To-day again my brother has expressed
the wish that we should be married by his bedside; so that he should be
able to take part in it. I scarcely need add how happy it would make me.

Evje. But whether she is here at home or married to you, you know, her
parents' distress would be just as great every time their child was
persecuted.
Mrs. Evje. Surely you can appreciate that!
Harald. But what answer am I to give to my brother's request?-- most
likely the last he will ever--. (Stops.)
Evje (after a pause). He is very kind to wish it, as he always is. Nothing
would make us happier; but we who are her parents do not consider that
you could make our daughter happy as long as you remain in politics
and on the lines on which you are now travelling.
Harald (after a pause, during which he has stood still). That is to say,
you contemplate breaking off our engagement?
Evje (looking at him quickly). Far from it!
Mrs. Evje (at the same time). How can you say such a thing?
Evje (turning towards the fire again). We have spoken about it to
Gertrud to-day--as to whether it would not be possible to induce you to
choose some other career.
Mrs. Evje. You understand now, why you found Gertrud upset. You
must listen to us now, as she did, in all friendliness.
Evje (getting up and standing with his back to the fire). The first thing I
do in the morning is to read my paper. You know what was in it
to-day--the same as is in it now every day.
Mrs. Evje. No; I am sure it has never been as bad as to-day.
Harald (walking up and down again). The election is just at hand!
Evje. Well--it is just as painful to us, her father and mother, whether it
is before or after the election. We are not accustomed to associate with
any one who has not first-class credentials--and now we have to endure
seeing doubt cast upon our own son-in-law's. Do not misunderstand me;
to my mind, for credentials to be first-class they must not only actually
be so, but must also be considered to be so by people in general.
(HARALD begins to walk up and down again.) The second thing I do
in the morning is to open my letters. Amongst to-day's were several
from friends we had invited to a party we thought of giving--if, that is
to say, your brother's illness took no sudden turn for the worse. No
fewer than ten of them refuse our invitation--most of them making
some excuse, and a few with a little more show of a real reason; but
one of them speaks straight out, and I have his letter here. (Takes it

from his pocket.) I have kept it for you. It is from my father's old friend,
the bishop. I haven't my spectacles--and for me to have mislaid my
spectacles will show you what a state of mind I am in. I don't think I
have done such a thing for--. Here, read it yourself! Read it aloud!
Harald (taking the letter). "My dear Mr. Evje. As you are my poor dear
friend's son, you must listen to the truth from me. I cannot willingly
come to your house while I might meet there a certain person who,
certainly, is one of you, but nevertheless is a person whom I cannot
hold in entire respect."
Mrs. Evje. Well, Harald, what do you think our feelings must be when
we read things like that?
Evje. Do not imagine that, in spite of that, we do not hold you in entire
respect. We only ask you to ensure our daughter's happiness. You can
do that with a word.
Mrs. Evje. We know what you are, whatever people say--even if they
are bishops. But, in return, you ought to have confidence in our
judgment; and our advice to you is, have done with it! Marry Gertrud at
once, and go away for your honeymoon; by the time you come back,
people will have got something else to talk about--and you will have
found something else to occupy you as well.
Evje. You must not misunderstand us. We mean no coercion. We are
not insisting on this alternative. If you wish to be