No More Learning

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.
Krap says it is impossible. Music is heard, for the procession is
approaching. Bernick, in an agony of soul, declares that he cannot
receive anyone. The whole street blazes with the illuminations, and
on a great transparency on the opposite house gleams the inscription,
"Long live Karsten Bernick, the Pillar of our Society!
"

BERNICK (_at the window, shrinking back_): I cannot
look at all this. Away with all these mocking words! I
shall never see Olaf again.

MRS. BERNICK: You will see him again, Karsten, all
right. I have got him. Do you think a mother does not
watch? I overheard a few words from our boy which
set me on my guard. I and Aune went in the sailing
boat from the yard and reached the _Indian Girl_ when she
was on the point of sailing, and he was soon discovered
hiding away.

BERNICK: And is the ship under sail again?

MRS. BERNICK: No. The darkness came on more
densely, the pilot was alarmed, and so Aune, in your
name, took it on himself to order the ship to stay till
to-morrow.

BERNICK: What an unspeakable blessing.

KRAP: The procession is coming through the garden
gate, consul.

Rector Rorlund, at the head of the procession, makes a presentation to
Bernick in the name of the committee, and expresses the public esteem
and admiration for the consul's services to society.