(Murmurs are heard: "What does he say?--He?--
Bernick?") The properties are, for the time being, in my hands.
Naturally I have confided in my fellow-workers, Mr. Rummel, Mr.
Vigeland and Mr. Sandstad, and we are all agreed that--
Rummel: It is not true! Prove it--prove it!
Vigeland: We are not all agreed about anything!
Sandstad: Well, really I must say--!
Bernick: That is quite true--we are not yet agreed upon the matter I
was going to mention. But I confidently hope that these three gentlemen
will agree with me when I announce to you that I have tonight come to
the decision that these properties shall be exploited as a company of
which the shares shall be offered for public subscription; any one that
wishes can take shares.
Voices: Hurrah! Three cheers for Bernick!
Rummel (in a low voice, to BERNICK): This is the basest treachery--!
Sandstad (also in an undertone): So you have been fooling us!
Vigeland: Well, then, devil take--! Good Lord, what am I saying?
(Cheers are heard without.)
Bernick: Silence, gentlemen. I have no right to this homage you offer
me; because the decision I have just come to does not represent what
was my first intention.
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