are mad! And when, into the
bargain, they are thrown at our heads as if they were decisions of a
High Court of Morality--well, then I strike! Good-bye! (Starts to go,
but turns back.) And who is it that these High Court of Morality's
decisions would for the most part affect, do you suppose? Just the
ablest and most vigorous of our young men. Are we going to turn them
out and make a separate despised caste of them? And what things would
be affected, do you suppose? A great part of the world's literature and
art; a great part of all that is loveliest and most captivating in the
life of to-day; the world's greatest cities, most particularly--those
wonders of the world--teeming with their millions of people! Let me
tell you this: the life that disregards marriage or loosens the bonds of
marriage, or transforms the whole institution--you know very well what
I mean--the life that is accused of using the "weapons of seduction" in
its fashions, its luxury, its entertainments, its art, its theatre--that
life is one of the most potent factors in these teeming cities, one of
the most fruitful sources of their existence! No one who has seen it can
have any doubt about it, however ingenuous he may pretend to be. Are we
to wish to play havoc with all that too?--to disown the flower of the
world's youth, and ruin the world's finest cities? It seems to me that
people wish to do so much in the name of morality, that they end by
wishing to do what would be subversive of all morality.

Nordan. You are certainly embarking on your little war in the true
statesmanlike spirit!

Christensen. It is nothing but sound common-sense, my dear sir; that
is all that is necessary, I am sure. I shill have the whole town on my
side, you may be certain of that!

Thomas (appearing at the house door). Doctor!

Nordan (turning round). Is it possible! (Hurries to the doorway, in
which MRS. RIIS appears.)

Mrs. Riis. May I--?

Nordan. Of course! Will you come out here?

Mrs. Riis (to CHRISTENSEN, who bows to her). My visit is really to you,
Mr. Christensen.

Christensen. I am honoured.

Mrs. Riis. I happened to look out into the street just as your
carriage stopped and you got out. So I thought I would seize the
opportunity--because you threatened us yesterday, you know. Is that not
so? You declared war against us?

Christensen. My recollection of it is that war was declared, Mrs. Riis,
but that I merely accepted the challenge.

Mrs. Riis. And