Rosmer. My dear fellow, you know very well that I am no judge of
politics; but it certainly seems to me that of late years
individual thought has become somewhat more independent.

Kroll. Quite so--but do you consider that as a matter of course to
be a good thing? In any case you are vastly mistaken, my friend.
Just inquire a little into the opinions that are current amongst
the Radicals, both out here in the country and in town. You will
find them to be nothing else than the words of wisdom that appear
in the "Searchlight".

Rebecca. Yes, Mortensgaard has a great deal of influence over the
people about here.

Kroll. Yes, just think of it--a man with as dirty a record as his!
A fellow that was turned out of his place as a schoolmaster
because of his immoral conduct! This is the sort of man that
poses as a leader of the people! And successfully, too!--actually
successfully! I hear that he means to enlarge his paper now. I know,
on reliable authority, that he is looking for a competent
assistant.

Rebecca. It seems to me surprising that you and your friends do
not start an opposition paper.

Kroll. That is exactly what we intend to do. This very day we
have bought the "County News." There was no difficulty about the
financial side of the matter; but-- (Turns towards ROSMER) Now we
have come to the real purport of my visit. It is the Management