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.

Rebecca. Do you take it so much to heart, Mr. Kroll?

Kroll. Do I take it to heart, to find myself so hampered and
thwarted in my life's work? (Speaking more gently.) I might find
it in my heart to say that I could even take that for what it is
worth; but I have not told you the worst of it yet. (Looks round
the room.) I suppose nobody is likely to be listening at the
doors?

Rebecca. Oh, certainly not.