t is so absolutely underhanded that, as an
honest man, I must refuse all further dealing with you. I am, as I said
before, accustomed to have to deal with gentlemen.

Berent. I think you misunderstand the situation. Your indebtedness to
the banks is so considerable that a settlement of it may reasonably be
required of you. But to effect that you must work with us in the matter.

Tjaelde (after a moment's thought). Very well! But, no more details--let
me know your conclusions, briefly.

Berent. My conclusions, briefly, are that you have estimated your assets
at L90,800. I estimate them at L40,600.

Tjaelde (quietly). That is to say, you make me out to have a deficit of
about L30,000?

Berent. As to that, I must point out that your estimate of your
liabilities does not agree with mine, either.

Tjaelde (quietly). Oh, of course not!

Berent. For instance, the dividend that Moeller's estate is to yield to
you.

Tjaelde. No more details! What do you put my total liabilities at?

Berent. Let me see. Your total liabilities amount, according to your
calculations, to L70,000. I estimate them at L80,000--to be precise, at
L79,372.

Tjaelde. That puts my deficit at about--

Berent. At about L39,400--or, in round figures, L40,000.

Tjaelde. Oh, by all means let us stick to round figures!

Berent. So that the difference between your views of your balance-sheet
and mine is that, whereas you give yourself a surplus of about L20,000,
I give you a deficit of about L40,000.

Tjaelde. Thank you very much.--Do you know my opinion of the whole
matter? (BERENT looks up at him.) That I am in this room with a madman.

Berent. I have had the same opinion for some time.--The stock of timber
you hold in France I have not been able to deal with; you have forgotten
to include it in your account. Perhaps it may make a little difference.

Tjaelde. It is of no consequence! I have often enough heard people speak
of your callousness and your heartlessness; but their account of you has
come nowhere near the truth. I don't know why I have not turned you out
of my house long before this; but you will have the goodness to leave it
now!

Berent. We shall both leave presently. But before we do, we must discuss
the question of handing over the house to the Receiver in Bankruptcy.

Tjaelde. Ha, ha, ha! Allow me to inform you that at this very moment
a sum is being telegraphed to me which will be sufficient not only to
cover my present liab