Chapter II: Act II

[HJALMAR EKDAL’S _studio. The room is fairly large: it is evidently
at the top of the house. To the right a slanting roof with large
panes of glass, half covered by a blue curtain. In a corner, to
the right of the stage, is the entrance-door; lower down, on the
same side, a door leading to the sitting-room. At the back to
the left, there are also two doors, an iron stove between them.
In the wall at the back there is a wide sliding door, which can
be pushed aside. The studio is plainly, but comfortably arranged
and furnished. Between the doors on the right, a little away from
the wall, there is a sofa, with a table and a few chairs; on the
table a lamp with a shade, by the stove an old arm-chair. All
sorts of photographic apparatus and instruments are distributed
about the room. In the back wall to the left of the sliding
door is a book case, with a few books, boxes, and bottles of
chemicals, instruments, tools, etc. Photographs and odds and
ends, such as camel-hair brushes, paper, and the like, lie on the
table._]

GINA EKDAL _is sitting on a chair by the table, sewing_. HEDVIG _is
sitting on the sofa, her hands shading her eyes, and her thumbs
in her ears, reading a book_.

GINA (_looks at her several times, as if with suppressed anxiety; then she says_): Hedvig! (HEDVIG _does not hear her and_ GINA _says in a louder tone_): Hedvig!

HEDVIG (_moving her hands and looking up_). Yes, mother.

GINA. Dear Hedvig, you mustn’t sit reading there any longer.

HEDVIG. Oh, but my mother, mayn’t I read a little longer? Just a little bit?

GINA. No, no; you must put the book away now. Your father doesn’t like it. He never reads himself of an evening.

HEDVIG (_shutting the door_). No, father doesn’t bother much about reading.

GINA (_putting down her work and taking up a pencil and small note book from the table_). Can you remember how much the butter came to to-day?

HEDVIG. One krone and sixty-five ore.

GINA. That’s right. (_Entering it._) It’s awful the amount of butter we get through here. And then there was the smoked sausage and cheese. Let me see--(_writing_) and then there was the ham--h’m! (_Reckoning it up._) Yes, it makes just----

HEDVIG. And then there’s the beer.

GINA. Yes, of course. (_Writing._) It does run up--but it can’t be helped.

HEDVIG. But then we didn’t want a hot dinner, as father was out.

GINA. No, luckily. And then besides I took eight crowns, fifty ore for the photographs.

HEDVIG. Fancy! So much as that?

GINA. Exactly eight crowns, fifty ore.

_A pause._ GINA _takes up her work_. HEDVIG _takes up paper and
pencil and begins drawing something, shading her eyes with her
left hand_.

HEDVIG. Isn’t it funny to think of father having a grand dinner at Mr. Werle’s?

GINA. You can’t say he’s dining with Mr. Werle. You know it was his son who invited him. (_Quickly._) We’ve nothing to do with Mr. Werle.

HEDVIG. I’m looking forward so to father coming home. For he promised he’d ask Mrs. Sorby for something nice for me.

GINA. Yes, you may be sure there are plenty of good things in that house.

HEDVIG (_going on drawing_). And I’m just a little bit hungry, too.

OLD EKDAL, _with a parcel of papers under his arm, and another in his
coat-pocket, comes in through the entrance-door_.

GINA. How late grandfather is to-day.

EKDAL. They’d locked the office. Had to wait with Graberg. And then they let me pass out. H’m!

HEDVIG. Did they give you anything more to copy, grandfather?

EKDAL. All this lot. Look!

GINA. That is good.

HEDVIG. And you’ve a parcel in your pocket too.

EKDAL. Oh, nonsense, that’s nothing! (_Puts his stick in the corner._) This’ll find me in work for a long time, this will, Gina. (_Pushing the one-half of the door in the back a little aside._) Hush! (_He looks into the room for a moment, and carefully pushes the other side of the door back._) He! he! They’re all asleep together in a bunch. And even she’s got into the basket. He! he!

HEDVIG. Are you quite sure she’s not cold in the basket, grandfather?

EKDAL. What an idea? Cold? With all that straw? (_Goes to the further door left._) I suppose I shall find matches?

GINA. The matches are on the chest of drawers.

EKDAL _goes into the room_.

HEDVIG. It is a good thing grandfather’s got all that copying to do!

GINA. Yes, poor old father: so he’ll make a little pocket-money for himself.

HEDVIG. And so he can’t spend all the morning down there at that horrid Mrs. Ericksen’s restaurant.

GINA. That is true, too.

_A short pause._

HEDVIG. Do you think they are still at table?

GINA. Goodness knows, but it’s likely enough.

HEDVIG. Just fancy all the delicious things father’ll have for dinner! I’m sure he’ll be in good spirits and cheerful when he comes back. Don’t you think he will, mother?

GINA. Yes; but if we could only tell him we’d let the room.

HEDVIG. But there’s no need to do that to-night.

GINA. Oh, it’ll come in well enough, my dear. And it’s no good to us.

HEDVIG. No, I mean we don’t need it to-night, because father’ll be in good spirits anyhow. We’d better save up the room for another time.

GINA (_looking across at her_). Are you glad to have something pleasant to tell father, when he comes home of an evening?

HEDVIG. Yes, for then he’s much more cheerful.

GINA (_absently to herself_). Oh, yes, there’s something in that.

OLD EKDAL _comes in again, and is going out by the lower door, left_.

GINA (_half turning round on her chair_). Do you want anything in the kitchen, grandfather?

EKDAL. I do; yes. Sit still.

_Goes out._

GINA. Surely he’s not raking about in the glowing embers? (_Waiting a moment._) Hedvig, just see what he’s after.

EKDAL _comes in again with a small jug of steaming water_.

HEDVIG. Have you been getting warm water, grandfather?

EKDAL. Yes, I have. Want it for something I’ve got to write, and the ink’s as thick as porridge--h’m!

GINA. But, grandfather, you should have supper first. It’s quite ready.

EKDAL. Never mind about supper, Gina. Have lots of work, I tell you. I won’t have anyone come to my room. No one--h’m!

_He goes into his room._ GINA _and_ HEDVIG _look at one another_.

GINA (_in a low voice_). Can you imagine where he gets the money from?

HEDVIG. No doubt he’s got it from Graberg.

GINA. Oh, no! Graberg always sends the money to me.

HEDVIG. Then he must have got a bottle on trust somewhere.

GINA. Poor old grandfather! It’s a long while since anyone’d trust him with anything. (HJALMAR EKDAL _enters, right, in a top coat and grey felt hat. Throwing down her work and getting up._) Well, I never, Ekdal, you here already?

HEDVIG (_jumping up at the same time_). Fancy! You here so soon, father?

HJALMAR (_putting down his hat_). Yes; most of them were leaving.

HEDVIG. So early?

HJALMAR. Yes, it was a dinner-party. (_About to take off his top coat._)

GINA. Let me help you.

HEDVIG. And me, too.

_They help him off with his coat._ GINA _hangs it up on the wall at
back_.

HEDVIG. Were there many people there, father?

HJALMAR. Oh, no, not many. There were twelve or fourteen of us at table.

GINA. And I suppose you chatted with all of them?

HJALMAR. Oh, yes, a little. But it was Gregers who especially monopolized me.

GINA. And is Gregers as ugly as ever?

HJALMAR. Well, he’s not exactly good-looking yet. Hasn’t the old man come home yet?

HEDVIG. Yes, grandfather’s in there writing.

HJALMAR. Did he say anything?

GINA. No. What should he say?

HJALMAR. Didn’t he say anything about--I thought I heard he’d been to Graberg’s. I’ll just go in to him a moment.

GINA. No, no, you’d better not.

HJALMAR. Why not? Did he say he wouldn’t have me in there?

GINA. He won’t have anyone in this evening.

HEDVIG (_making signs_). H’m! h’m!

GINA (_not seeing her_). He’s been in here, and got warm water.

HJALMAR. Aha! He’s sitting in there?

GINA. Yes, that’s so.

HJALMAR. Good Heavens! My poor, white-haired old father?--Yes, just let him alone for once and enjoy himself.

_Old_ EKDAL _in an old coat, and with a lighted pipe, enters from his
room_.

EKDAL. Got home? I thought I heard you chattering.

HJALMAR. I’ve just come in.

EKDAL. So you didn’t see me? You didn’t?

HJALMAR. No, but they said you’d passed through the room--and so I came after you.

EKDAL. H’m! Very good of you, Hjalmar. What sort of people were they?

HJALMAR. Oh, all sorts of people. There was Chamberlain Flor, and Chamberlain Balle, and Chamberlain Kasperson--and Chamberlain--so and so--I don’t know.

EKDAL (_nodding_). Listen to _that_, Gina. He’s been with nothing but Chamberlains.

GINA. Yes, they are awfully grand up at the house now.

HEDVIG. Did the Chamberlains sing, father, or did they recite something?

HJALMAR. No, they only chatted. They wanted me to recite--but I wouldn’t.

EKDAL. You wouldn’t?

GINA. But surely you might have done that.

HJALMAR. No, one can’t provide entertainment for everybody. (_Walking up and down._) At any rate, I can’t.

EKDAL. No, no, Hjalmar’s not to be got so easily.

HJALMAR. I really don’t see why I should provide entertainment, when I once in a way happen to go out. Let others do it. Here are these fine folk dining in grand houses day out, day in. Let them be thankful and amiable for all the good meals they get.

GINA. But surely you didn’t say that!

HJALMAR (_humming_). Ha! ha! ha! They had put up all sorts of things.

EKDAL. Even the Chamberlains?

HJALMAR. They didn’t get off scot-free. (_Lightly._) Then we had a little discussion as to Tokay.

EKDAL. Tokay? You? That’s a fine wine, that is.

HJALMAR (_standing still suddenly_). It _may_ be fine, but I may tell you all vintages are not equally good. It depends upon the amount of sunshine the vine has had.

GINA. Why, you really know everything, Ekdal.

EKDAL. And there was a discussion about that?

HJALMAR. They wanted to prove that; but then it was proved to them that it was exactly the same with Chamberlains. With them too, all vintages were not equally good--so some one said.

GINA. No! What things you do think of?

EKDAL. He, he! And they had to put that in their pipes and smoke it?

HJALMAR. They had it straight to their faces.

EKDAL. Fancy, Gina, he said that straight to the Chamberlain’s faces.

GINA. Only think, straight to their faces.

HJALMAR. Yes, but I don’t wish it talked about. One doesn’t repeat such things. Besides, of course it all passed off quite good-naturedly. Why, they were nice, pleasant people why should I wound them? No!

EKDAL. But straight to their faces----

HEDVIG (_coaxingly_). How nice it is to see you in a dress-coat. You look so well in a dress-coat, father.

HJALMAR. Yes, don’t you think so? And this one really sits faultlessly. It fits almost as if it had been made for me--a little tight in the arm-pits, perhaps. Help me, Hedvig. (_Takes off the coat._) I’d rather put on my jacket. Where is my jacket, Gina?

GINA. Here it is. (_She fetches the jacket and helps him on with it._)

HJALMAR. That’s it. Be sure and remember to let Molvik have the dress-coat the first thing in the morning.

GINA (_putting it down_). I’ll see to it.

HJALMAR (_stretching himself_). Ah! After all, this is more comfortable. And, besides, this sort of loose, free, home-dress suits my whole style better. Don’t you think so, Hedvig?

HEDVIG. Yes, father.

HJALMAR. When I tie my necktie like this, with loose ends, see, eh?

HEDVIG. Yes, that looks very well with the moustache and the thick curly hair.

HJALMAR. One can’t call it exactly curly hair. I should rather say wavy.

HEDVIG. Yes, for it’s in such great curls.

HJALMAR. Waves!

HEDVIG (_a little after, pulling his jacket_). Father!

HJALMAR. Well, what is it?

HEDVIG. Oh, you know well enough what it is.

HJALMAR. No, I really don’t.

HEDVIG (_laughing and pouting_). Oh, you do, father. Now you mustn’t tease me any more.

HJALMAR. But what is it?

HEDVIG (_shaking him_). Oh, nonsense. Now out with it, father. You know all the good things you promised me.

HJALMAR. Ah! and to think I should have forgotten it!

HEDVIG. No, you only want to tease me, father! Oh, it’s too bad of you. Where’ve you put them?

HJALMAR. Well, I’ve not quite forgotten. But wait a moment! I’ve got something else for you, Hedvig. (_Goes and searches in the pockets of his coat._)

HEDVIG (_jumping and clapping her hands_). Oh, mother, mother!

GINA. You see, if you’ll only wait----

HJALMAR (_with a paper_). See, here we have it.

HEDVIG. That? Why, that’s only a piece of paper.

HJALMAR. That’s the bill of fare; the whole bill of fare. Here is written “Menu;” that means bill of fare.

HEDVIG. Haven’t you got anything else?

HJALMAR. I’ve forgotten the rest, I tell you. But you may take my word for it, these dainties are not very satisfying. Sit down there by the table and read out the list, and I’ll describe the dishes to you. See here, Hedvig.

HEDVIG (_choking back her tears_). Thanks. (_She sits down, but does not read._ GINA _makes signs to her_; HJALMAR _notices it_.)

HJALMAR (_walking up and down_). It is really most extraordinary what things the bread-winner of a family is expected to remember, and if he forgets the least of them--he’s sure to be treated to black looks. Well, one gets used to that, too. (_Stops near the stove, by the old man._) Have you peeped in there this evening, father?

EKDAL. Yes, you may be sure I did. She’s got into the basket.

HJALMAR. No! _She’s_ gone into the basket? She’s beginning to get used to it.

EKDAL. Yes, that’s what I always said she would. But now, you see, there are a few little things----

HJALMAR. Some improvements--yes.

EKDAL. But they must be made, you know.

HJALMAR. Yes, let’s have a little chat about the improvements, father. Come here, let’s sit on the sofa.

EKDAL. All right. H’m--think I’ll fill my pipe first--and must clean it. H’m! (_He goes into his room._)

GINA (_smiling at_ HJALMAR). Clean his pipe, too!

HJALMAR. Ah, well! Gina, let him alone. My poor shipwrecked father! Yes--the improvements--we’d best set about them to-morrow.

GINA. You’ll not have any time to-morrow, Ekdal----

HEDVIG (_interrupting_). Oh, yes, he will, mother.

GINA. Remember those copies that have to be touched up; they’ve sent here now so many times for them.

HJALMAR. Really? So now it’s the copies again! They’ll be ready soon enough. Have there been any fresh orders?

GINA. No, worse luck, to-morrow I’ve nothing but the two portraits you know of.

HJALMAR. Nothing else? Oh, no, when one makes no effort----

GINA. But what am I to do? I put in all the advertisements I can afford, I’m sure.

HJALMAR. Yes, advertisements, advertisements. You see how much good they are. And so, I suppose, no one’s been after this room, either?

GINA. No, not yet.

HJALMAR. That was to be expected. When one makes no effort to---- One really must pull oneself together, Gina.

HEDVIG (_going up to him_). Shall I fetch your flute, father?

HJALMAR. No, no flute. I ask no pleasures here on earth. (_Walking up and down._) Yes, yes, I’ll work hard to-morrow, there shall be no lack of that. I’ll work as long as my strength holds out----

GINA. But, dear good Ekdal, I didn’t mean it in _that_ way.

HEDVIG. Father, shall I bring in a bottle of beer?

HJALMAR. No, nothing at all. I want nothing for myself. (_Standing still._) Beer?--was it beer you said?

HEDVIG (_brightly_). Yes, father; lovely, fresh beer.

HJALMAR. Well, if you _will_ insist, you may as well bring in a bottle.

GINA. Yes, do, and then we’ll make ourselves comfortable.

HEDVIG _runs towards the kitchen door_.

HJALMAR (_by the stove; stops her, looks at her, takes her head, and presses her to him_). Hedvig! Hedvig!

HEDVIG (_gladly, with tears in her eyes_). Ah! Dear father!

HJALMAR. No, do not call me that! There have I been sitting at the rich man’s table and taking thought for myself--there have I sat and reveled at the groaning board. And yet I could not----

GINA (_sitting by the table_). Oh, nonsense, nonsense, Ekdal.

HJALMAR. Yes! But you must not be too hard upon me. You know that I am very fond of you, all the same.

HEDVIG (_embracing him_). And we are so immensely fond of you!

HJALMAR. And if now and again I should be unreasonable, bear in mind I am a man overwhelmed by a host of worries. No! (_Drying his eyes._) No beer at such a moment! Give me the flute.

HEDVIG _runs to the book case and fetches it_.

HJALMAR. Thanks. Now then. With the flute in my hand, and you two about me--ah!

HEDVIG (_sits down at the table near_ GINA; HJALMAR _walks up and down. Then he begins playing energetically a Bohemian folk-dance, but in slow, elegiac time, and with sentimental expression. He stops playing suddenly, holds out his left hand to_ GINA, _and says in a moved tone_). It may be poor and lowly under this roof, Gina, but it is home. But I tell you this--it is good to be here.

_He begins playing again; presently a knock is heard at the
entrance-door._

GINA (_rising_). Hush, Ekdal!--I think someone’s there.

HJALMAR (_putting the flute into the book case_). There again!

GINA _goes and opens the door_.

GREGERS (_outside in the passage_). Excuse me----

GINA (_stepping back a little_). Oh!

GREGERS. Does Mr. Ekdal, the photographer, live here?----

GINA. Yes, he does.

HJALMAR (_going to the door_). Gregers! Is it you after all? Well, come in.

GREGERS (_coming in_). Yes, I told you I’d look you up.

HJALMAR. But to-night?--Have you left the party?

GREGERS. Both the party and my father’s house. Good evening, Mrs. Ekdal. I don’t know if you recognize me?

GINA. Oh, yes! Young Mr. Werle is not very difficult to recognize.

GREGERS. No--I am like my mother, and, no doubt, you remember her.

HJALMAR. And you have left the house, you say----

GREGERS. Yes, I’ve moved into a hotel.

HJALMAR. Really! Well, as you’ve come, take off your things and sit down.

GREGERS. Thanks. (_He takes off his overcoat. He has changed into a simple gray suit of country make._)

HJALMAR. Here, on the sofa. Make yourself at home.

GREGERS _sits on the sofa_, HJALMAR _on a chair by the table_.

GREGERS (_looking round_). So this is your place, Hjalmar. This is where you live.

HJALMAR. This is the studio, as you can see----

GINA. But it’s roomy; and so we prefer sitting here.

HJALMAR. We used to have better rooms, but this flat has one great advantage; there are such capital outer rooms.

GINA. And then we’ve a room on the other side of the passage that we can let.

GREGERS (_to_ HJALMAR). Really--then you’ve lodgers, too.

HJALMAR. No, not yet. That’s not so easy, you see; one has to keep on the look out. (_To_ HEDVIG.) But how about that beer, Hedvig.

HEDVIG _nods and goes into the kitchen_.

GREGERS. So _that_ is your daughter?

HJALMAR. Yes, that’s Hedvig.

GREGERS. And she is your only child?

HJALMAR. She is the only one, yes. She is our greatest joy on earth, and (_in a lower tone_), she is also our greatest sorrow, Gregers.

GREGERS. What’s that you say?

HJALMAR. Yes; for there is imminent danger of her losing her sight.

GREGERS. Become blind!

HJALMAR. Yes. At present there are only the merest symptoms, and it may be a long while yet. But the doctor has warned us. It must inevitably come.

GREGERS. That is a terrible misfortune! How did she get it?----

HJALMAR (_sighing_). It is probably hereditary.

GREGERS (_starting_). Hereditary?

GINA. Ekdal’s mother had weak eyes, too.

HJALMAR. Yes, so father says; I can’t remember her.

GREGERS. Poor child! And how does she take it?

HJALMAR. Ah! you may imagine, we’ve not had the heart to tell her anything. She has no idea of any danger. Joyous and free from care, and chirping like a little bird flying away into life’s everlasting night. (_Overcome._) Ah! that is such a crushing blow for me, Gregers.

HEDVIG _brings in a tray with beer and glasses, which she places on
the table_.

HJALMAR (_stroking her head_). Thanks, thanks, Hedvig. (HEDVIG _throws her arms round his neck and whispers into his ear_.) No. No bread and butter just now. (_Looks straight in front of him._) Yes, perhaps Gregers will have a piece.

GREGERS (_with a gesture of refusal_). No, no, thank you.

HJALMAR (_still mournful_). Well, you can bring in a little, all the same. If you’ve a crust that’d be nice. And mind you, butter it well.

HEDVIG _nods brightly, and goes into the kitchen again_.

GREGERS (_who has followed her with his eyes_). She looks bright and well enough though, it seems to me.

GINA. Yes, thank God, there’s nothing else the matter with her.

GREGERS. No doubt she will grow like you in time, Mrs. Ekdal. How old may she be now?

GINA. Hedvig is exactly fourteen; it’s her birthday the day after to-morrow.

GREGERS. She’s pretty tall for her age.

GINA. Yes, she has shot up so in the last year.

GREGERS. It is by these young folks that we best see how old we are ourselves. How long ago is it that you were married?

GINA. Why, we were married in--yes--nearly fifteen years ago.

GREGERS. No, really! Is it so long!

GINA (_becoming attentive, looking at him_). Yes, it is exactly.

HJALMAR. Yes, of course it is. Fifteen years in a few months. (_In a changed tone._) Those must have been long years for you up at the Works, Gregers.

GREGERS. They seemed so while I lived them--now, I hardly know how the time went.

OLD EKDAL _enters from his room, without his pipe, but wearing his
old lieutenant’s cap; he walks somewhat unsteadily_.

EKDAL. I say, Hjalmar, now we can sit down and chat about that--h’m. Whatever was it?

HJALMAR (_going up to him_). Father, here’s somebody. Gregers Werle--I don’t know if you can remember him.

EKDAL (_looking at_ GREGERS, _who has risen_). Werle? Is that the son, eh?--What does he want with me?

HJALMAR. Nothing; he has come to see me.

EKDAL. Then nothing’s up?

HJALMAR. No, certainly not.

EKDAL (_swinging his arms_). Not that _I_ care, you know, I’m not afraid, but----

GREGERS (_going up to him_). I only wanted to bring you a greeting from the old hunting-grounds, Lieutenant Ekdal.

EKDAL. Hunting-grounds?

GREGERS. Yes, up there round about the Hojdal Works.

EKDAL. Oh? up there? I knew them well once on a time.

GREGERS. At that time you were a great sportsman.

EKDAL. Was so, yes. That may be. You’re looking at my uniform-cap. I don’t need to get leave to wear it at home. So long as I don’t go out into the streets in it----

HEDVIG _brings in a plate of bread and butter, which she puts on the
table_.

HJALMAR. Come and sit down, father, and have a glass of beer. Come along, Gregers.

EKDAL _mutters something, and stumbles to the sofa_. GREGERS _sits
down on the chair nearest him_. HJALMAR _on the other side of_
GREGERS. GINA _sits a little way from the table sewing_. HEDVIG
_stands by her father_.

GREGERS. Can you remember, Lieutenant Ekdal, when Hjalmar and I used to go up to visit you in the summer and at Christmas?

EKDAL. Did you? No, no, no--I don’t remember that. But I may say I’ve been a great sportsman, that I have. I’ve shot bears too. Shot nine of them.

GREGERS (_looking sympathizingly at him_). And now you never get any hunting.

EKDAL. Oh! Can’t say that, my lad. Get some hunting now and again: not _that_ sort, of course. For the forest, you see--the forest, the forest!---- (_Drinking._) Is the forest up there fine now?

GREGERS. Not so fine as in your time. It’s been thinned out considerably.

EKDAL. Thinned out. (_In a lower tone and anxiously._) That’s a dangerous game. It has consequences. The forest avenges itself.

HJALMAR (_filling his glass_). Come, father, have a little more.

GREGERS. How can a man like you--such a man for an open-air life, live in the midst of a choking town, shut up between these four walls?

EKDAL (_smiles slightly and glances at_ HJALMAR). Oh! it’s not so bad here. Not so bad.

GREGERS. But all that had become part of you? The fresh, blowing breezes, the free life in the woods and the plains, among the beasts and birds?

EKDAL (_smiling_). Hjalmar, shall we show it him?

HJALMAR (_quickly and somewhat embarrassed_). Oh, no, no, father; not this evening.

GREGERS. What does he want to show me?

HJALMAR. Oh! it’s only something--you can see it another time.

GREGERS (_continuing to the old man_). So I was thinking, Lieutenant Ekdal, that you should come along with me up to the Works, for I shall certainly be leaving again shortly. You could easily get some copying to do there too. And here there’s absolutely nothing to make you comfortable and cheer you.

EKDAL (_staring at him in astonishment_). I’ve absolutely nothing.

GREGERS. Yes, you have Hjalmar; but he has his own family. And a man like you who has always felt drawn to all that is free and wild----

EKDAL (_striking the table_). Hjalmar, now he _shall_ see it!

HJALMAR. No, father, is it worth while now? Why, it’s dark----

EKDAL. Nonsense; the moon shining. (_Rising._) He _shall_ see it, I say. Let me pass. Come and help me, Hjalmar.

HEDVIG. Oh, yes; do, father.

HJALMAR (_rising_). All right then.

GREGERS (_to_ GINA). What is it?

GINA. Oh! You really mustn’t fancy it’s anything very wonderful.

EKDAL _and_ HJALMAR _have gone up the stage. Each is pushing aside
one-half of the sliding door_; HEDVIG _helps the old man_;
GREGERS _remains standing by the sofa_; GINA _goes on sewing,
unmoved. Through the opening of the door is seen a large,
irregular loft, with odd nooks and corners, and a few stove-pipes
here and there. There are skylights, through which bright
moonlight falls upon certain parts of the great room; others are
in darkness._

EKDAL (_to_ GREGERS). You must come quite close, please.

GREGERS (_going over to him_). What, is it really?

EKDAL. You can see--h’m!

HJALMAR (_rather embarrassed_). This belongs to father, you understand.

GREGERS (_by the door, looking into the loft_). Why, you keep fowls, Lieutenant Ekdal!

EKDAL. Should think we did keep fowls. They’re gone to roost now. But you should see the fowls by daylight, you should!

HEDVIG. And then there’s a----

EKDAL. Sh!--Sh!--don’t say anything yet.

GREGERS. And you’ve pigeons, too, I see.

EKDAL. Oh, yes! May be we’ve got pigeons, too! The pigeon-houses are up there under the eaves; for you know pigeons always like to roost high.

HJALMAR. But these are not all common pigeons.

EKDAL. Common! No, should think not! We’ve got tumblers, and we’ve a few pouters, too. But come here! Can you see those hutches out there by the wall?----

GREGERS. Yes. But what do you use them for?

EKDAL. The rabbits go in there in the night, my lad.

GREGERS. Why, you’ve rabbits, too, then?

EKDAL. Yes. Deuce take it, you might know we should have rabbits! He wants to know if we’ve got rabbits, Hjalmar!--H’m! But now the real thing’s coming, you know. Now then! Out of the way, Hedvig. Come and stand here; that’s it--and look down there. Don’t you see anything there in the basket filled with straw?

GREGERS. Yes. I see there’s a bird lying in the basket.

EKDAL. H’m! “A bird”----

GREGERS. Isn’t it a duck?

EKDAL (_hurt_). Yes, of course, it’s a duck.

HJALMAR. But what _sort_ of a duck, do you think----?

HEDVIG. It’s not just a simple duck----

EKDAL. Hush!

GREGERS. And it’s not a Turkish duck, either.

EKDAL. No, Mr.--Werle; it’s not a Turkish duck; for it’s a wild duck.

GREGERS. No, is it really? A wild duck?

EKDAL. Yes, that it is. The “bird,” as you called it--is a wild duck. That’s our wild duck, my lad.

HEDVIG. _My_ wild duck. For she belongs to me.

GREGERS. And it can live up here in this loft? And thrive here?

EKDAL. Of course, you understand, she’s got a trough full of water to splash about in.

HJALMAR. Fresh water every day.

GINA (_turning to_ HJALMAR). But, dear Ekdal, it’s getting awfully cold here.

EKDAL. H’m! Let’s shut it up then. Besides it’s not good to disturb their night’s rest. Give a hand, Hedvig.

HJALMAR _and_ HEDVIG _push the doors of the loft together_.

EKDAL. Another time you can see her properly. (_Sitting down in the arm-chair by the stove._) Ah! wild ducks are very wonderful creatures, take my word for it.

GREGERS. But how did you catch it, Lieutenant Ekdal?

EKDAL. Didn’t catch her, I didn’t. There’s a certain man in the town here, whom we’ve to thank for her.

GREGERS (_starting slightly_). Surely the man’s not my father?

EKDAL. Yes, he is though. Just your father. H’m!

HJALMAR. It is funny you should have guessed that, Gregers.

GREGERS. Why you were telling me that you were indebted to my father for all sorts of things, and so I thought that----

GINA. But we’ve not had the duck from Mr. Werle himself.

EKDAL. It’s Haaken Werle we’ve to thank for her, all the same, Gina. (_To_ GREGERS.) He was out in his boat, you know, and he shot her. But your father’s sight is so bad now. H’m; she was only wounded.

GREGERS. I see. She got a few shots in her body.

HJALMAR. Yes, she did--two or three shots.

HEDVIG. She was hit under the wing, and so she could not fly away.

GREGERS. And then, I suppose, she dived to the bottom?

EKDAL (_sleepily, with thick utterance_). Know all about that. Always so with wild ducks. Made for the bottom--as far as they can get, my lad--get caught in the tangle and the sea-weed--and all the damned stuff that’s down below there. And so they never come to the surface again.

GREGERS. But, Lieutenant Ekdal, _your_ wild duck came to the surface.

EKDAL. He’d got a most remarkably clever dog, had your father. And the dog--dived after the duck and brought her up again.

GREGERS (_turning to_ HJALMAR). And so you found it here?

HJALMAR. Not directly; first it was taken to your father’s; but the wild thing didn’t thrive there; so Pettersen was ordered to kill it----

EKDAL (_half asleep_). H’m--yes, Pettersen--idiot----

HJALMAR (_speaking in a lower tone_). So that was how we got her, you see, for father knows Pettersen a little, and when he heard about the wild duck, he managed to get it handed over to him.

GREGERS. And now it thrives so well up here in the loft.

HJALMAR. Yes, wonderfully well. She’s getting fat. Well, she’s been in there so long now she’s forgotten the old wild life; and that’s the main thing.

GREGERS. You are right there, Hjalmar. Only never let her see the sky or the sea---- But I mustn’t stay any longer; for I think your father’s asleep.

HJALMAR. Oh! don’t mind him----

GREGERS. But--by the way--you said you had a room to let--a spare room?

HJALMAR. Certainly--what then? Do you know anyone----

GREGERS. Could I have the room?

HJALMAR. You?

GINA. No, but you, Mr. Werle----

GREGERS. Can I have the room? Then I’ll move in early to-morrow.

HJALMAR. Yes, with the greatest pleasure----

GINA. But, Mr. Werle, it’s not at all the sort of room for you.

HJALMAR. But, Gina, how can you say that?

GINA. Yes, for the room’s neither large nor light, and----

GREGERS. That doesn’t matter, Mrs. Ekdal.

HJALMAR. I think it’s a very nice room, and not so badly furnished, either.

GINA. But think of those two who live underneath us.

GREGERS. What two are they?

GINA. Oh! one of them’s been a tutor.

HJALMAR. That’s Licentiate Molvik.

GINA. And then there’s a doctor calling Relling.

GREGERS. Relling? I used to know him a little. He practiced for a time up at the Works.

GINA. They’re a pair of dissipated good-for-nothings. They’re often out on the loose of an evening, and they come home very late at night, and then they’re not always as----

GREGERS. One soon gets used to that. I hope I shall be like the wild duck.

GINA. H’m, I think you’d better sleep on it first, all the same.

GREGERS. You seem extremely unwilling to have me in the house, Mrs. Ekdal.

GINA. Lord, no! How can you think that?

HJALMAR. Yes, it’s really very extraordinary of you.

GINA (_to_ GREGERS). But tell me, are you thinking of stopping in town then for the present?

GREGERS (_putting on his overcoat_). Yes, now I think of stopping here.

HJALMAR. But not at home with your father? What do you mean to do?

GREGERS. Ah! If only I knew _that_ I should not be so badly off. But when one has the misfortune to be called Gregers--“Gregers”--and then “Werle” after it; have you ever heard anything so hideous?

HJALMAR. Oh! I don’t think that so bad.

GREGERS. Huh! Pish! I should feel inclined to spit at a fellow with such a name. But when one has the misfortune to be Gregers--Werle here on earth, as I have----

HJALMAR (_laughing_). Ha--ha! If you weren’t Gregers Werle, what else would you be?

GREGERS. If I had my choice, I should prefer being a clever dog.

GINA. A dog!

HEDVIG (_involuntarily_). Oh! not that!

GREGERS. Yes, a real uncommonly clever dog; such a one as can dive under after wild ducks, when they go to the bottom, and get fast in all the tangle and sea-weeds down in the mud below.

HJALMAR. I’ll tell you what, Gregers--I don’t understand a word of all this.

GREGERS. Oh, no! It doesn’t mean anything in particular. Early to-morrow, then, I’ll move in. (_To_ GINA.) Don’t you trouble about me; I do everything for myself. (_To_ HJALMAR.) We’ll talk over the rest to-morrow. Good night, Mrs. Ekdal. (_Nodding to_ HEDVIG.) Good night!

GINA. Good night, Mr. Werle.

HEDVIG. Good night.

HJALMAR (_who has lighted a candle_). Wait a moment, I must light you down, for it’s very dark on the stairs.

GREGERS _and_ HJALMAR _go out together through the entrance-door_.

GINA (_looking straight in front of her, with her work on her lap_). Wasn’t that strange talk about his wanting to be a dog?

HEDVIG. I’ll tell you what, mother--I think he meant something else by that.

GINA. What could _that_ be?

HEDVIG. Why, I don’t know, but it was just as if he meant something different from what he was saying--all the time.

GINA. Do you think so? It was certainly strange.

HJALMAR (_returning_). The lamp was still alight. (_Puts out the light and puts it down_.) Ah, at last one can get a mouthful to eat. (_Begins eating the bread and butter._) Now, you see, Gina, if one only makes a little effort----

GINA. How, effort?

HJALMAR. Yes, for it’s a blessing after all we’ve at last let that room for a time. And only think--to a fellow like Gregers--a dear, old friend.

GINA. I hardly know what to say about it, I don’t.

HEDVIG. Oh, mother, you’ll see it’ll be such fun.

HJALMAR. You _are_ strange. First you were so anxious to let it, and now you don’t like it.

GINA. Yes, Ekdal; if it had only been to some one else, but what do you think Mr. Werle will say?

HJALMAR. Old Werle? It’s no business of his.

GINA. But you may be sure there’s something up between them again, as the young one’s moving out of the house. You know well enough how things are between those two.

HJALMAR. Yes, that may be, but----

GINA. And now, perhaps, Mr. Werle’ll think you’re at the bottom of it----

HJALMAR. Let him think so as long as he likes! Mr. Werle has done an immense deal for me. Good heavens! I don’t deny it--but I can’t on that account remain his dependent all my life.

GINA. But, dear Ekdal, perhaps grandfather may have to suffer for it; he may lose his poor little earnings that he gets through Graberg.

HJALMAR. I’m almost inclined to say: so much the better! Is it not sufficiently humiliating for a man like me to see his grey-haired father going about as an outcast? But the fullness of time is coming now, I think. (_He takes another piece of bread and butter._) As surely as I have a mission in life, so surely I will not shrink from it!

HEDVIG. Oh! no, father, don’t!

GINA. Hush! Don’t wake him!

HJALMAR (_in a lower tone_). I will not shrink from it, I tell you. The day will yet come, when---- And that’s why it’s a good thing we’ve let the room; for that makes me more independent. And a man must be _that_ when he has a mission in life. (_Turning towards the arm-chair, with emotion._) My poor white-haired old father! Lean on your Hjalmar. He has broad shoulders--strong shoulders, at any rate. You will awaken one day and---- (_To_ GINA.) Perhaps, you don’t believe it?

GINA (_rising_). Of course, I do--but in the meantime let’s get him to bed.

HJALMAR. Yes, let us do so.

_They take up the old man carefully._