doubt it. (Walks away from him.)

Jakobsen (with whom TJAELDE has just drunk). Gentlemen!

Knutzon (to HOLM, in passing). Is that boor really going to be allowed
to make a speech! (Going up to LIND.) May I have the honour of drinking
a glass of wine with you, Mr. Lind? (Several of the guests begin to
talk, ostentatiously indifferent to JAKOBSEN who is trying to begin his
speech.)

Jakobsen (in a formidable voice). Gentlemen! (Silence ensues, and he
continues in his usual voice.) Permit a common man to say a word, too,
on this festive occasion. I was a poor little boy when I entered Mr.
Tjaelde's employment; but he pulled me out of the gutter. (Laughter.) I
am-what I am, gentlemen! And therefore if any here is qualified to talk
about Mr. Tjaelde, it is I; because I know him. I know he is a fine
fellow.

Lind (to TJAELDE). Children and drunken men--

Tjaelde (laughing).--speak the truth!

Jakobsen. There are lots of people that will tell you one thing or
another about him--and, of course, he may have his failings like all of
us. But as I find myself in such fine company as this I am going to say
that--that--devil take me if Mr. Tjaelde isn't too good for the lot of
you! (Laughter.)

Tjaelde. That's enough, Jakobsen!

Jakobsen. No, it's not enough! Because there is one toast we have all
forgotten, although we have all had such a splendid dinner. (Laughter.
FALBE claps his hands and cries: "Bravo!") Yes, and it is nothing to
laugh at; because it is the toast of Mrs. Tjaelde's health that we have
not drunk!

Lind. Bravo!

Jakobsen. There's a wife and mother for you! I can tell you--and it's
true--she goes about the house attending to her duties and preparing for
our entertainment when all the time she is ill, and she takes the whole
thing on her shoulders and says nothing. God bless her, I say!--and that
is all I have to say.

Several of the Guests (raising their glasses). Mrs. Tjaelde! Mrs.
Tjaelde!

Pram (grasping JAKOBSEN by the hand). That was fine of you, Jakobsen!
(LIND joins them; PRAM steps aside respectfully.)

Lind. Will you drink a glass of wine with me, Jakobsen?

Jakobsen. Thank you, very much. I am only a common man--

Lind. But a good-hearted one! Your health! (They drink to each other. A
boat is seen putting in to shore below the verandah. Its crew of six men
stand up and toss their oars in naval fashion. SANNAES is standing at
the helm.)

Holm (in a whisper, to KNUTZON). Tjaelde knew wh