Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/67

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Professor—unter uns—have you a tolerably decent, reputable, and commodious Public Hall in your estimable city?

Kroll.

The hall of the Workmen's Society is the largest.

Brendel.

And has the Herr Professor any official influence in this doubtless most beneficent Society?

Kroll. I have nothing to do with it.

Rebecca.

[To Brendel.] You should apply to Peter Mortensgård.

Brendel.

Pardon, madame—what sort of an idiot is he?

Rosmer. What makes you take him for an idiot?

Brendel.

Can't I tell at once by the name that it belongs to a plebeian.

Kroll. I did not expect that answer.

Brendel.

But I will conquer my reluctance. There is no alternative. When a man stands—as I do—at a turning-point in his career——. It is settled. I will approach this individual—will open personal negotiations——