I had to, you see, whether I liked it or not. It became
impossible for me to remain an idle spectator any longer. Now
that the Radicals have become so distressingly powerful, it was
high time. And that is also why I have induced our little circle
of friends in the town to bind themselves more definitely
together. It was high time, I can tell you!
Rebecca (with a slight smile). As a matter of fact, isn't it
really rather late now?
Kroll. There is no denying it would have been more fortunate if
we had succeeded in checking the stream at an earlier point. But
who could really foresee what was coming? I am sure I could not.
(Gets up and walks up and down.) Anyway, my eyes are completely
opened now; for the spirit of revolt has spread even into my
school.
Rosmer. Into the school? Surely not into your school?
Kroll. Indeed it has. Into my own school. What do you think of
this? I have got wind of the fact that the boys in the top class--
or rather, a part of the boys in it--have formed themselves into a
secret society and have been taking in Mortensgaard's paper!
Rebecca. Ah, the "Searchlight".
Kroll. Yes, don't you think that is a nice sort of intellectual
pabulum for future public servants? But the saddest part of it is
that it is all the most promising boys in the class that have
conspired together and hatched this plot against me. It is only
the duffers and dunces that have held aloof from it.
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