What have I accomplished, with all my
efforts?
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
It is a stormy afternoon and growing
dark_.
Bernick is apprised that he is to be most honourably feted by his
fellow citizens who are about to form a procession, and to parade
before his house with music. The proudest moment of his life is at
hand. But the fact that the sea is running high outside the harbour
is causing great agitation to the mind of Bernick. Lona looks in to
say that she has been saying farewell to Johan. He has not changed his
determination to sail. A strange incident happens. Little Olaf Bernick
runs away from home to slip on board the ship and accompany his uncle
to America.
LONA: So the great hour has arrived. The whole
town is to be illuminated.
BERNICK (_pacing to and fro in agitation_): Yes.
Lona, you despise me.
LONA: Not yet.
BERNICK: You have no right to despise me. For you
little realise how lonely I stand in this narrow society.
What have I accomplished, with all my efforts? We
who are considered the pillars of society are but its tools
after all. Since you came home from America I have
been keenly feeling all this. All this show and deception
gives me no satisfaction. But I work for my son, who
will be able to found a truer state of things and to be
happier than his father.
LONA: With a lie for its basis? Think what an
heritage you are preparing for Olaf.
BERNICK: Why did you and Johan come home to
crush me?
LONA: Let me just tell you that after all Johan will
not come back to crush you. For he has gone for ever
and Dina has gone also to become his wife.
BERNICK (_amazed_): Gone--in the _Indian Girl_?
LONA: They did not dare to risk their lives in that
crazy tub. They are in the _Palm Tree_.
Bernick rushes to his office to order the _Indian Girl_ to be stopped
in the harbour, but he learns that she already is out at sea. But
presently Hilmar comes to tell him that Olaf has run away in the
_Indian Girl_. He cries out that the ship must be stopped at any cost.
dark_.
Bernick is apprised that he is to be most honourably feted by his
fellow citizens who are about to form a procession, and to parade
before his house with music. The proudest moment of his life is at
hand. But the fact that the sea is running high outside the harbour
is causing great agitation to the mind of Bernick. Lona looks in to
say that she has been saying farewell to Johan. He has not changed his
determination to sail. A strange incident happens. Little Olaf Bernick
runs away from home to slip on board the ship and accompany his uncle
to America.
LONA: So the great hour has arrived. The whole
town is to be illuminated.
BERNICK (_pacing to and fro in agitation_): Yes.
Lona, you despise me.
LONA: Not yet.
BERNICK: You have no right to despise me. For you
little realise how lonely I stand in this narrow society.
What have I accomplished, with all my efforts? We
who are considered the pillars of society are but its tools
after all. Since you came home from America I have
been keenly feeling all this. All this show and deception
gives me no satisfaction. But I work for my son, who
will be able to found a truer state of things and to be
happier than his father.
LONA: With a lie for its basis? Think what an
heritage you are preparing for Olaf.
BERNICK: Why did you and Johan come home to
crush me?
LONA: Let me just tell you that after all Johan will
not come back to crush you. For he has gone for ever
and Dina has gone also to become his wife.
BERNICK (_amazed_): Gone--in the _Indian Girl_?
LONA: They did not dare to risk their lives in that
crazy tub. They are in the _Palm Tree_.
Bernick rushes to his office to order the _Indian Girl_ to be stopped
in the harbour, but he learns that she already is out at sea. But
presently Hilmar comes to tell him that Olaf has run away in the
_Indian Girl_. He cries out that the ship must be stopped at any cost.
