Rosmer. But I do not understand--
Mortensgaard. Well, it is like this, Mr. Rosmer. You are not as
familiar with all the circumstances of the case as I am, I
expect. But if you, too, have joined the forces of freedom--and if
you, as Miss West says you do, mean to take part in the movement--
I conclude you do so with the desire to be as useful to the
movement as you possibly can, in practice as well as, in theory.
Rosmer. Yes, that is my most sincere wish.
Mortensgaard. Very well. But I must impress on you, Mr. Rosmer,
that if you come forward openly with this news about your
defection from the Church, you will tie your own hands
immediately.
Rosmer. Do you think so?
Mortensgaard. Yes, you may be certain that there is not much that
you would be able to do hereabouts. And besides, Mr. Rosmer, we
have quite enough freethinkers already--indeed, I was going to say
we have too many of those gentry. What the party needs is a
Christian element--something that every one must respect. That is
what we want badly. And for that reason it is most advisable that
you should hold your tongue about any matters that do not concern
the public. That is my opinion.
Rosmer. I see. Then you would not risk having anything to do with
me if I were to confess my apostasy openly?
Mortensgaard (shaking his head). I should not like to, Mr.
Rosmer. Lately I have made it a rule never to support anybody or
anything that is opposed to the interests of the Church.
Pages:
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70