"I believe I had! I had learnt my speech by heart for the last six weeks; I knew to a word what I was going to say; but when I stood on the platform and saw all those eyes gazing at me, it all went to pieces; my artificial arguments broke down like a scaffolding; the floor underneath my feet gave way, and my thoughts became confusion. Was it very crazy?"
"Yes, it was bad, and the papers will pull you to pieces."
"That's a pity, I admit. I thought I was making it all so clear. But it was fun to give it them for once."
"You only injured your cause; they'll never let you speak again."
Olle sighed.
"Why in the name of fortune couldn't you leave Charles XII alone? That was your worst mistake."
"Don't ask me! I don't know!"
"Do you still love the working man?" asked Falk.
"I pity him for allowing himself to be humbugged by adventurers, and I shall never abandon his cause, for his cause is the burning question of the near future, and all your politics aren't worth a penny in comparison."
The two friends were making their way back to old Stockholm, and finally entered a café.