Mysteries - Knut Hamsun [142]
Miniman still doesn’t utter a word. Nagel goes on, “You think, naturally, that I’m an uncouth bandit and boor to attack you with these accusations straight to your face. That’s all right, I can’t consider that, have whatever opinion of me you like. You know in your heart right now that I’ve hit you off, and that’s enough for me. But how can you tolerate my treating you like this? Why don’t you get up, spit in my face and go your way?”
Seemingly himself again, Miniman looked up and said, “But you locked the door!”
“We-e-ll,” Nagel replies, “you’re waking up! You really want me to believe you think the door is locked? The door is open, look here, now it’s wide open! I said it was locked to test you, I set a trap for you. The truth is you’ve known all along that the door was open, but you pretended not to know it so you could sit here pure and innocent, as always, and let yourself be ill-used by me. You didn’t leave the room, no, you didn’t budge. As soon as I gave you to understand that I suspected you of something, you pricked up your ears, wanting to hear how much I knew, how much of a danger I might be to you. By Jove, I’m convinced that’s the way it is, deny it as much as you like, it’s all the same to me.... But why am I having it out with you right now? You have good reason to ask me that, the whole thing might seem none of my business. My friend, it is my business. First of all, I would like to give you a warning. Believe me, at this moment I honestly mean what I’m saying. You’re leading some sort of hidden life, the life of a scoundrel, and that can work only for a certain time. One fine day you’ll be laid low before all the world, and whoever wants to may trample on you. That’s one thing. Secondly, I have a hunch that, despite all your denials, you are closer to Miss Gude than you want to let on. Well, what concern is Miss Gude to me? Again you’re right. Faced with a question like that I can only be silent, Miss Gude couldn’t concern me less. But in a general sense I may be permitted to feel distressed if you should associate with her and possibly infect her with your sanctimonious depravity.2 That’s why I’ve had it out with you.”
Having lighted his cigar afresh, Nagel says, “And now I’ve finished, and the door is not locked. So, have you been ill-used? You may answer or not, as you please, but let your inner voice speak for you if you do answer. My dear friend, let me also tell you before you leave: I wish you no harm.”
Pause.
Miniman rises, puts his hand in his coat pocket and pulls out the letter. “I can’t accept this now,” he says.
Having forgotten about the letter, Nagel was caught unawares. “You won’t accept it?” he said. “Why not?”
“I can’t accept it.”
Miniman puts the letter on the table and walks to the door. Nagel follows after him with the letter in his hand, his eyes watering and his voice trembling all of a sudden.
“Take it, Grøgaard, just the same!” he said.
“No!” Miniman replies. And he opens the door.
Nagel pushes the door back and says again, “Take it, take it! I’d rather you think me mad and forget about everything I’ve said today. I am quite mad, you mustn’t mind the ravings and the poppycock I’ve inflicted on you for the past hour. You surely realize I can’t be taken seriously if I’m