Jesper.  Don’t say that, Monsieur Jeronimus!  He has a devilish clever tongue.  It is really a joy to hear the man talk Latin.

Jeronimus.  That is more than I should have expected.  But how does my son look?

Jesper.  He looks confoundedly learned.  You would hardly recognize him.  He has another name, too.

Jeronimus.  Another name!  What does he call himself?

Jesper.  He calls himself Montanus, which is said to be the same as
Rasmus in Latin.

Jeronimus.  Oh, shame! that is wicked.  I have known many who have changed their Christian names in that way, but they never have prospered.  Some years ago I knew a person who was christened Peer, and afterwards, when he had become a man of consequence, wanted to be coined again, and called himself Peter.  But that name cost him dear, for he broke his leg and died in great misery.  Our Lord doesn’t allow such a thing, Mr. Bailiff.

Jesper.  I don’t care what his name is, but I don’t like it that he has such peculiar opinions in religion.

Jeronimus.  What kind of opinions has he, then?

Jesper.  Oh, it’s terrible!  My hair stands on end when I think of it.  I can’t remember all that I heard, but I know that among other things he said that the earth was round.  What can I call such a thing, Monsieur Jeronimus?  That is nothing else than overthrowing all religion and leading folk away from the faith.  A heathen certainly cannot speak worse.

Jeronimus.  He must have said that only in jest.

Jesper.  It is going rather too far to joke about such things as that.  See, here he comes himself.

SCENE 6

(Enter Montanus.)

Montanus.  How do you do, my dear father-in-law.  I am delighted to see you in good health.

Jeronimus.  People of my age can’t enjoy remarkable health.

Montanus.  You look mighty well, however.

Jeronimus.  Do you think so?

Montanus.  How is Miss Lisbed?

Jeronimus.  Oh, well enough.

Montanus.  But what is the matter?  It seems to me, my dear father-in-law, that you answer me rather coldly.

Jeronimus.  I have no good reason to do otherwise.

Montanus.  What wrong have I done?

Jeronimus.  I have been told that you have such peculiar opinions that people might really think that you had become mad or deranged, for how can a sane man be foolish enough to say that the earth is round?

Montanus.  But, profecto, it is round.  I must speak the truth.

Jeronimus.  The deuce it is the truth!  Such a notion can’t possibly come from anywhere but from the devil, who is the father of lies.  I am sure there isn’t a single man here in the village who would not condemn such an opinion.  Just ask the bailiff, who is an intelligent man, if he does not agree with me.