Lona: I am not thinking of your fortune; but if it comes to light
that--
Bernick. Yes, that is the critical part of it. With the
unblemished and honoured name I have hitherto borne, I can take
the whole thing upon my shoulders, carry it through, and say to
my fellow-citizens: "See, I have taken this risk for the good of
the community."
Lona: Of the community?
Bernick: Yes; and not a soul will doubt my motives.
Lona: Then some of those concerned in it have acted more openly--
without any secret motives or considerations.
Bernick: Who?
Lona: Why, of course, Rummel and Sandstad and Vigeland.
Bernick: To get them on my side I was obliged to let them into
the secret.
Lona: And they?
Bernick: They have stipulated for a fifth part of the profits as
their share.
Lona: Oh, these pillars of society.
Bernick: And isn't it society itself that forces us to use these
underhanded means? What would have happened if I had not acted
secretly? Everybody would have wanted to have a hand in the
undertaking; the whole thing would have been divided up,
mismanaged and bungled. There is not a single man in the town
except myself who is capable of directing so big an affair as
this will be.
Pages:
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115