Lona: Why did you say nothing about it, Karsten?
Bernick: Have you heard the rumours of extensive buying up of
forest lands, mines and waterfalls--?
Johan: Yes, apparently it is some company from another part of
the country.
Bernick: As these properties are situated at present, they are as
good as valueless to their owners, who are scattered about the
neighbourhood; they have therefore been sold comparatively cheap.
If the purchaser had waited till the branch line began to be
talked of, the proprietors would have asked exorbitant prices.
Lona: Well--what then?
Bernick: Now I am going to tell you something that can be
construed in different ways--a thing to which, in our community,
a man could only confess provided he had an untarnished and
honoured name to take his stand upon.
Lona: Well?
Bernick: It is I that have bought up the whole of them.
Lona: You?
Johan: On your own account?
Bernick: On my own account. If the branch line becomes an
accomplished fact, I am a millionaire; if it does not, I am
ruined.
Lona: It is a big risk, Karsten.
Bernick: I have risked my whole fortune on it.
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