. Tjaelde. Jakobsen!

Jakobsen (in a voice broken with emotion). I have nothing but the
deepest respect for you, Mrs. Tjaelde. But, you see, he has made me
swindle other people! In his name I shall have ruined numbers of them.
They trusted me, you see; just as I trusted him. I used to tell them
that he was a benefactor to the whole countryside, and that therefore
they ought to help him in these hard times. And now there will be many
an honest family robbed of house and home by our treachery. And that is
what he has brought me to! What heartless cruelty! (To TJAELDE.) I can
tell I feel inclined to--. (Takes a threatening step towards him.)

Mrs. Tjaelde (getting up). For my sake, Jakobsen!

Jakobsen (restraining himself). Yes, for your sake, ma'am; because I
have the deepest respect for you. But how am I to face all those poor
creatures that I have ruined? It will do them no good to explain to them
how it has happened; that won't help them to get their daily bread! How
shall I face my own wife! (With emotion.) She has had such faith in
me, and in those I trusted. And my children, too? It is very hard on
children, because they hear so much talk in the street. It won't be long
before they hear what sort of a father they have got; and they will hear
it from the children of the men I have ruined.

Mrs. Tjaelde. As you feel how hard it is yourself, that should make you
willing to spare others. Be merciful!

Jakobsen. I have the deepest respect for you; but it is hard that in my
home we should never again be able to eat a crust that we can properly
call our own--for I owe more than I can ever live to repay! That is
hard, Mrs. Tjaelde! What will become of my evenings with my children
now?--of our Sundays together? No, I mean that he shall hear the truth
from me. (Turns upon TJAELDE.) You scoundrel! You shan't escape me!
(TJAELDE shrinks back in terror and tries to reach the office door, but
at that moment the RECEIVER comes in, followed by two of his clerks and
SANNAES. TJAELDE crosses the room, staggers to his desk, and leans upon
it with his back turned to the newcomers.)

The Receiver (coming up behind Tjaelde). Excuse me! May I have your
books and papers? (TJAELDE gives a start, moves away to the stove, and
supports himself on it.)

Jakobsen (in a whisper, standing over him). Scoundrel! (TJAELDE moves
away from him and sits down on a chair by the door, hiding his face in
his hands.)

Mrs. Tjaelde (getting up and wh