HIALMAR EKDAL'S studio. It is morning: the daylight shines through the large window in the slanting roof; the curtain is drawn back.

HIALMAR is sitting at the table, busy retouching a photograph; several others lie before him. Presently GINA, wearing her hat and cloak, enters by the passage door; she has a covered basket on her arm.]

HIALMAR
Back already, Gina?

GINA
Oh, yes, one can't let the grass grow under one's feet.

[Sets her basket on a chair, and takes off her things.]

HIALMAR
Did you look in at Gregers' room?

GINA
Yes, that I did. It's a rare sight, I can tell you; he's made a pretty mess to start off with.

HIALMAR
How so?

GINA
He was determined to do everything for himself, he said; so he sets to work to light the stove, and what must he do but screw down the damper till the whole room is full of smoke. Ugh! There was a smell fit to —

HIALMAR
Well, really!
GINA
But that's not the worst of it; for then he thinks he'll put out the fire, and goes and empties his water-jug into the stove, and so makes the whole floor one filthy puddle.

HIALMAR
How annoying!

GINA
I've got the porter's wife to clear up after him, pig that he is! But the room won't be fit to live in till the afternoon.

HIALMAR
What's he doing with himself in the meantime?

GINA
He said he was going out for a little while.

HIALMAR
I looked in upon him, too, for a moment — after you had gone.

GINA
So I heard. You've asked him to lunch.

HIALMAR
Just to a little bit of early lunch, you know. It's his first day — we can hardly do less. You've got something in the house, I suppose?

GINA
I shall have to find something or other.
HIALMAR
And don't cut it too fine, for I fancy Relling and Molvik are coming up, too. I just happened to meet Relling on the stairs, you see; so I had to —

GINA
Oh, are we to have those two as well?

HIALMAR
Good Lord — a couple more or less can't make any difference. Old Ekdal [opens his door and looks in]. I say, Hialmar — [Sees GINA.] Oh!

GINA
Do you want anything, grandfather?

Ekdal
Oh, no, it doesn't matter. H'm!

[Retires again.]

GINA
[Takes up the basket.] Be sure you see that he doesn't go out.

HIALMAR
All right, all right. And, Gina, a little herring-salad wouldn't be a bad idea; Relling and Molvik were out on the loose again last night.

GINA
If only they don't come before I'm ready for them —
HIALMAR
No, of course they won't; take your own time.

GINA
Very well; and meanwhile you can be working a bit.

HIALMAR
Well, I am working! I am working as hard as I can!

GINA
Then you'll have that job off your hands, you see.

[She goes out to the kitchen with her basket. HIALMAR sits for a time pencilling away at the photograph, in an indolent and listless manner.]

EKDAL
[Peeps in, looks round the studio, and says softly:] Are you busy?

HIALMAR
Yes, I'm toiling at these wretched pictures —

EKDAL
Well, well, never mind, — since you're so busy — h'm!

[He goes out again; the door stands open.]

HIALMAR
[Continues for some time in silence then he lays down his brush and goes over to the door.] Are you busy, father?

EKDAL
[In a grumbling tone, within.] If you're busy, I'm busy, too. H'm!

HIALMAR
Oh, very well, then.

[Goes to his work again.]

EKDAL
[Presently, coming to the door again.] H'm; I say, Hialmar, I'm not so very busy, you know.

HIALMAR
I thought you were writing.

EKDAL
Oh, devil take it! can't Graberg wait a day or two? After all, it's not a matter of life and death.

HIALMAR
No; and you're not his slave either.

EKDAL
And about that other business in there —

HIALMAR
Just what I was thinking of. Do you want to go in? Shall I open the door for you?

EKDAL
Well, it wouldn't be a bad notion.

HIALMAR
[Rises.] Then we'd have that off our hands.

EKDAL
Yes, exactly. It's got to be ready first thing to-morrow. It is to-morrow, isn't it? H'm?

HIALMAR
Yes, of course it's to-morrow.

[HIALMAR and EKDAL push aside each his half of the sliding door. The morning sun is shining in through the skylights; some doves are flying about; others sit cooing, upon the perches; the hens are heard clucking now and then, further back in the garret.]

HIALMAR
There; now you can get to work, father.

EKDAL
[Goes in.] Aren't you coming, too?

HIALMAR
Well, really, do you know —; I almost think — [Sees GINA at the kitchen door.] I? No; I haven't time; I must work. — But now for our new contrivance —

[He pulls a cord, a curtain slips down inside, the lower part consisting of a piece of old sailcloth, the upper part of a stretched fishing net. The floor of the garret is thus no longer visible.]

HIALMAR
[Goes to the table.] So! Now, perhaps I can sit in peace for a little while.

GINA
Is he rampaging in there again?

HIALMAR
Would you rather have had him slip down to Madam Eriksen's? [Seats himself.] Do you want anything? You know you said —

GINA
I only wanted to ask if you think we can lay the table for lunch here?

HIALMAR
Yes; we have no early appointment, I suppose?

GINA
No, I expect no one to-day except those two sweethearts that are to be taken together.

HIALMAR
Why the deuce couldn't they be taken together another day!

GINA
Don't you know, I told them to come in the afternoon, when you are having your nap.

HIALMAR
Oh, that's capital. Very well, let us have lunch here then.

GINA
All right; but there's no hurry about laying the cloth; you can have the table for a good while yet.

HIALMAR
Do you think I am not sticking at my work? I'm at it as hard as I can!

GINA
Then you'll be free later on, you know.

[Goes out into the kitchen again. Short pause.]

EKDAL
[In the garret doorway, behind the net.] Hialmar!

HIALMAR
Well?

EKDAL
Afraid we shall have to move the water-trough, after all.

HIALMAR
What else have I been saying all along?

Ekdal
H'm — h'm — h'm.

[Goes away from the door again. HIALMAR goes on working a little; glances towards the garret and half rises. HEDVIG comes in from the kitchen.]

HIALMAR
[Sits down again hurriedly.] What do you want?

HEDVIG
I only wanted to come in beside you, father.

HIALMAR
[After a pause]. What makes you go prying around like that? Perhaps you are told off to watch me?

HEDVIG
No, no.

HIALMAR
What is your mother doing out there?

HEDVIG
Oh, mother's in the middle of making the herring-salad. [Goes to the table]. Isn't there any little thing I could help you with, father?

HIALMAR
Oh, no. It is right that I should bear the whole burden — so long as my strength holds out. Set your mind at rest, Hedvig; if only your father keeps his health —

HEDVIG
Oh, no, father! You mustn't talk in that horrid way.

[She wanders about a little, stops by the doorway and looks into the garret.]

HIALMAR
Tell me, what is he doing?

HEDVIG
I think he's making a new path to the water-trough.

HIALMAR
He can never manage that by himself! And here am I doomed to sit —!

HEDVIG
[Goes to him.] Let me take the brush, father; I can do it, quite well.

HIALMAR
Oh, nonsense; you will only hurt your eyes.

HEDVIG
Not a bit. Give me the brush.

HIALMAR
[Rising.] Well, it won't take more than a minute or two.

HEDVIG
Pooh, what harm can it do then? [Takes the brush.] There! [Seats herself.] I can begin upon this one.

HIALMAR
But mind you don't hurt your eyes! Do you hear? I won't be answerable; you do it on your own responsibility — understand that.

HEDVIG
[Retouching.] Yes, yes, I understand.

HIALMAR
You are quite clever at it, Hedvig. Only a minute or two, you know.

[He slips through by the edge of the curtain into the garret. HEDVIG sits at her work. HIALMAR and EKDAL are heard disputing inside.]

HIALMAR
[Appears behind the net.] I say, Hedvig — give me those pincers that are lying on the shelf. And the chisel. [Turns away inside.] Now you shall see, father. Just let me show you first what I mean!

[HEDVIG has fetched the required tools from the shelf, and hands them to him through the net.]

HIALMAR
Ah, thanks. I didn't come a moment too soon.

[Goes back from the curtain again; they are heard carpentering and talking inside. HEDVIG stands looking in at them. A moment later there is a knock at the passage door; she does not notice it.]

GREGERS
Werle [bareheaded, in indoor dress, enters and stops near the door.] H'm —!

HEDVIG
[Turns and goes towards him.] Good morning. Please come in.

GREGERS
Thank you. [Looking towards the garret.] You seem to have workpeople in the house.

HEDVIG
No, it is only father and grandfather. I'll tell them you are here.

GREGERS
No, no, don't do that; I would rather wait a little.

[Seats himself on the sofa.]

HEDVIG
It looks so untidy here —

[Begins to clear away the photographs.]

GREGERS
Oh, don't take them away. Are those prints that have to be finished off?

HEDVIG
Yes, they are a few I was helping father with.

GREGERS
Please don't let me disturb you.

Hedvig
Oh, no.

[She gathers the things to her and sits down to work; GREGERS looks at her, meanwhile, in silence.]

GREGERS
Did the wild duck sleep well last night?

HEDVIG
Yes, I think so, thanks.

GREGERS
[Turning towards the garret.] It looks quite different by day from what it did last night in the moonlight.

HEDVIG
Yes, it changes ever so much. It looks different in the morning and in the afternoon; and it's different on rainy days from what it is in fine weather.

GREGERS
Have you noticed that?

HEDVIG
Yes, how could I help it?

GREGERS
Are you, too, fond of being in there with the wild duck?

HEDVIG
Yes, when I can manage it —

GREGERS
But I suppose you haven't much spare time; you go to school, no doubt.

HEDVIG
No, not now; father is afraid of my hurting my eyes.

GREGERS
Oh; then he reads with you himself?

HEDVIG
Father has promised to read with me; but he has never had time yet.

GREGERS
Then is there nobody else to give you a little help?

HEDVIG
Yes, there is Mr. Molvik; but he is not always exactly — quite —

GREGERS
Sober?

HEDVIG
Yes, I suppose that's it!

GREGERS
Why, then you must have any amount of time on your hands. And in there I suppose it is a sort world by itself?

HEDVIG
Oh, yes, quite. And there are such lots of wonderful things.

GREGERS
Indeed?

HEDVIG
Yes, there are big cupboards full of books; and a great many of the books have pictures in them.

GREGERS
Aha!

HEDVIG
And there's an old bureau with drawers and flaps, and a big clock with figures that go out and in. But the clock isn't going now.

GREGERS
So time has come to a standstill in there — in the wild duck's domain.

HEDVIG
Yes. And then there's an old paint-box and things of that sort; and all the books.

GREGERS
And you read the books, I suppose?

HEDVIG
Oh, yes, when I get the chance. Most of them are English though, and I don't understand English. But then I look at the pictures. — There is one great big book called "Harrison's History of London."* It must be a hundred years old; and there are such heaps of pictures in it. At the beginning there is Death with an hour-glass and a woman. I think that is horrid. But then there are all the other pictures of churches, and castles, and streets, and great ships sailing on the sea.

* A New and Universal History of the Cities of London and Westminster, by Walter Harrison. London, 1775, folio.

GREGERS
But tell me, where did all those wonderful things come from?

HEDVIG
Oh, an old sea captain once lived here, and he brought them home with him. They used to call him "The Flying Dutchman." That was curious, because he wasn't a Dutchman at all.

GREGERS
Was he not?

HEDVIG
No. But at last he was drowned at sea; and so he left all those things behind him.

GREGERS
Tell me now — when you are sitting in there looking at the pictures, don't you wish you could travel and see the real world for yourself?

HEDVIG
Oh, no! I mean always to stay at home and help father and mother.

GREGERS
To retouch photographs?

HEDVIG
No, not only that. I should love above everything to learn to engrave pictures like those in the English books.

GREGERS
H'm. What does your father say to that?

HEDVIG
I don't think father likes it; father is strange about such things. Only think, he talks of my learning basket-making, and straw-plaiting! But I don't think that would be much good.

GREGERS
Oh, no, I don't think so either.

HEDVIG
But father was right in saying that if I had learnt basket-making I could have made the new basket for the wild duck.

GREGERS
So you could; and it was you that ought to have done it, wasn't it?

HEDVIG
Yes, for it's my wild duck.

GREGERS
Of course it is.

HEDVIG
Yes, it belongs to me. But I lend it to father and grandfather as often as they please.

GREGERS
Indeed? What do they do with it?

HEDVIG
Oh, they look after it, and build places for it, and so on.

GREGERS
I see; for no doubt the wild duck is by far the most distinguished inhabitant of the garret?

HEDVIG
Yes, indeed she is; for she is a real wild fowl, you know. And then she is so much to be pitied; she has no one to care for, poor thing.

GREGERS
She has no family, as the rabbits have —

HEDVIG
No. The hens too, many of them, were chickens together; but she has been taken right away from all her friends. And then there is so much that is strange about the wild duck. Nobody knows her, and nobody knows where she came from either.

GREGERS
And she has been down in the depths of the sea.

HEDVIG
[With a quick glance at him, represses a smile and asks:] Why do you say "depths of the sea"?

GREGERS
What else should I say?

HEDVIG
You could say "the bottom of the sea."*

* Gregers here uses the old-fashioned expression "havsens bund," while Hedvig would have him use the more commonplace "havets bund" or "havbunden."

GREGERS
Oh, mayn't I just as well say the depths of the sea?

Hedvig
Yes; but it sounds so strange to me when other people speak of the depths of the sea.

GREGERS
Why so? Tell me why?

HEDVIG
No, I won't; it's so stupid.

GREGERS
Oh, no, I am sure it's not. Do tell me why you smiled.

HEDVIG
Well, this is the reason: whenever I come to realise suddenly — in a flash — what is in there, it always seems to me that the whole room and everything in it should be called "the depths of the sea." But that is so stupid.

GREGERS
You mustn't say that.

HEDVIG
Oh, yes, for you know it is only a garret.

GREGERS
[Looks fixedly at her.] Are you so sure of that?

HEDVIG
[Astonished.] That it's a garret?

GREGERS
Are you quite certain of it?

[HEDVIG is silent, and looks at him open-mouthed. GINA comes in from the kitchen with the table things.]

GREGERS
[Rising.] I have come in upon you too early.

GINA
Oh, you must be somewhere; and we're nearly ready now, any way. Clear the table, Hedvig.

[HEDVIG clears away her things; she and GINA lay the cloth during what follows. GREGERS seats himself in the arm-chair, and turns over an album.]

GREGERS
I hear you can retouch, Mrs. Ekdal.

GINA
[With a side glance.] Yes, I can.

GREGERS
That was exceedingly lucky.

GINA
How — lucky?

GREGERS
Since Ekdal took to photography, I mean.

HEDVIG
Mother can take photographs, too.

GINA
Oh, yes; I was bound to learn that.

GREGERS
So it is really you that carry on the business, I suppose?

GINA
Yes, when Ekdal hasn't time himself —

GREGERS
He is a great deal taken up with his old father, I daresay.

GINA
Yes; and then you can't expect a man like Ekdal to do nothing but take car-de-visits of Dick, Tom and Harry.

GREGERS
I quite agree with you; but having once gone in for the thing —

GINA
You can surely understand, Mr. Werle, that Ekdal's not like one of your common photographers.

GREGERS
Of course not; but still —

[A shot is fired within the garret.]

GREGERS
[Starting up.] What's that?

GINA
Ugh! now they're firing again!

GREGERS
Have they firearms in there?

HEDVIG
They are out shooting.

GREGERS
What! [At the door of the garret.] Are you shooting, Hialmar?

HIALMAR
[Inside the net.] Are you there? I didn't know;

I was so taken up — [To HEDVIG.] Why did you not let us know? [Comes into the studio.]

GREGERS
Do you go shooting in the garret?

HIALMAR
[Showing a double-barrelled pistol.] Oh, only with this thing.

GINA
Yes, you and grandfather will do yourselves a mischief some day with that there pigstol.

HIALMAR
[With irritation.] I believe I have told you that this kind of firearm is called a pistol.

GINA
Oh, that doesn't make it much better, that I can see.

GREGERS
So you have become a sportsman, too, Hialmar?

HIALMAR
Only a little rabbit-shooting now and then. Mostly to please father, you understand.

GINA
Men are strange beings; they must always have something to pervert theirselves with.

HIALMAR
[Snappishly.] Just so; we must always have something to divert ourselves with.

GINA
Yes, that's just what I say.

HIALMAR
H'm. [To GREGERS.] You see the garret is fortunately so situated that no one can hear us shooting. [Lays the pistol on the top shelf of the bookcase.] Don't touch the pistol, Hedvig! One of the barrels is loaded; remember that.

GREGERS
[Looking through the net.] You have a fowling-piece too, I see.

HIALMAR
That is father's old gun. It's of no use now; something has gone wrong with the lock. But it's fun to have it all the same; for we can take it to pieces now and then, and clean and grease it, and screw it together again. — Of course, it's mostly father that fiddle-faddles with all that sort of thing.

HEDVIG
[Beside GREGERS.] Now you can see the wild duck properly.

GREGERS
I was just looking at her. One of her wings seems to me to droop a bit.

HEDVIG
Well, no wonder; her wing was broken, you know.

GREGERS
And she trails one foot a little. Isn't that so?

HIALMAR
Perhaps a very little bit.

HEDVIG
Yes, it was by that foot the dog took hold of her.

HIALMAR
But otherwise she hasn't the least thing the matter with her; and that is simply marvellous for a creature that has a charge of shot in her body, and has been between a dog's teeth —

GREGERS
[With a glance at HEDVIG] — and that has lain in the depths of the sea — so long.

HEDVIG
[Smiling.] Yes.

GINA
[Laying the table.] That blessed wild duck! What a lot of fuss you do make over her.

HIALMAR
H'm; — will lunch soon be ready?

GINA
Yes, directly. Hedvig, you must come and help me now.

[GINA and HEDVIG go out into the kitchen.]

HIALMAR
[In a low voice.] I think you had better not stand there looking in at father; he doesn't like it. [GREGERS moves away from the garret door.] Besides, I may as well shut up before the others come. [Claps his hands to drive the fowls back.] Shh — shh, in with you! [Draws up the curtain and pulls the doors together.] All the contrivances are my own invention. It's really quite amusing to have things of this sort to potter with, and to put to rights when they get out of order. And it's absolutely necessary, too; for Gina objects to having rabbits and fowls in the studio.

GREGERS
To be sure; and I suppose the studio is your wife's special department?

HIALMAR
As a rule, I leave the everyday details of business to her; for then I can take refuge in the parlour and give my mind to more important things.

GREGERS
What things may they be, Hialmar?

HIALMAR
I wonder you have not asked that question sooner. But perhaps you haven't heard of the invention?

GREGERS
The invention? No.

HIALMAR
Really? Have you not? Oh, no, out there in the wilds —

GREGERS
So you have invented something, have you?

HIALMAR
It is not quite completed yet; but I am working at it. You can easily imagine that when I resolved to devote myself to photography, it wasn't simply with the idea of taking likenesses of all sorts of commonplace people.

GREGERS
No; your wife was saying the same thing just now.

HIALMAR
I swore that if I consecrated my powers to this handicraft, I would so exalt it that it should become both an art and a science. And to that end I determined to make this great invention.

GREGERS
And what is the nature of the invention? What purpose does it serve?

HIALMAR
Oh, my dear fellow, you mustn't ask for details yet. It takes time, you see. And you must not think that my motive is vanity. It is not for my own sake that I am working. Oh, no; it is my life's mission that stands before me night and day.

GREGERS
What is your life's mission?

HIALMAR
Do you forget the old man with the silver hair?

GREGERS
Your poor father? Well, but what can you do for him?

HIALMAR
I can raise up his self-respect from the dead, by restoring the name of Ekdal to honour and dignity.

GREGERS
Then that is your life's mission?

HIALMAR
Yes. I will rescue the shipwrecked man. For shipwrecked he was, by the very first blast of the storm. Even while those terrible investigations were going on, he was no longer himself. That pistol there — the one we use to shoot rabbits with — has played its part in the tragedy of the house of Ekdal.

GREGERS
The pistol? Indeed?

HIALMAR
When the sentence of imprisonment was passed — he had the pistol in his hand —

GREGERS
Had he —?

HIALMAR
Yes; but he dared not use it. His courage failed him. So broken, so demoralised was he even then! Oh, can you understand it? He, a soldier; he, who had shot nine bears, and who was descended from two lieutenant-colonels — one after the other, of course. Can you understand it, Gregers?

GREGERS
Yes, I understand it well enough.

HIALMAR
I cannot. And once more the pistol played a part in the history of our house. When he had put on the grey clothes and was under lock and key — oh, that was a terrible time for me, I can tell you. I kept the blinds drawn down over both my windows. When I peeped out, I saw the sun shining as if nothing had happened. I could not understand it. I saw people going along the street, laughing and talking about indifferent things. I could not understand it. It seemed to me that the whole of existence must be at a standstill — as if under an eclipse.

GREGERS
I felt that, too, when my mother died.

HIALMAR
It was in such an hour that Hialmar Ekdal pointed the pistol at his own breast.

GREGERS
You, too, thought of —!

HIALMAR
Yes.

GREGERS
But you did not fire?

HIALMAR
No. At the decisive moment I won the victory over myself. I remained in life. But I can assure you it takes some courage to choose life under circumstances like those.

GREGERS
Well, that depends on how you look at it.

HIALMAR
Yes, indeed, it takes courage. But I am glad I was firm: for now I shall soon perfect my invention; and Dr. Relling thinks, as I do myself, that father may be allowed to wear his uniform again. I will demand that as my sole reward.

GREGERS
So that is what he meant about his uniform —?

HIALMAR
Yes, that is what he most yearns for. You can't think how my heart bleeds for him. Every time we celebrate any little family festival — Gina's and my wedding-day, or whatever it may be — in comes the old man in the lieutenant's uniform of happier days. But if he only hears a knock at the door — for he daren't show himself to strangers, you know — he hurries back to his room again as fast as his old legs can carry him. Oh, it's heart-rending for a son to see such things!

GREGERS
How long do you think it will take you to finish your invention?

HIALMAR
Come now, you mustn't expect me to enter into particulars like that. An invention is not a thing completely under one's own control. It depends largely on inspiration — on intuition — and it is almost impossible to predict when the inspiration may come.

GREGERS
But it's advancing?

HIALMAR
Yes, certainly, it is advancing. I turn it over in my mind every day; I am full of it. Every afternoon, when I have had my dinner, I shut myself up in the parlour, where I can ponder undisturbed. But I can't be goaded to it; it's not a bit of good; Relling says so, too.

GREGERS
And you don't think that all that business in the garret draws you off and distracts you too much?

HIALMAR
No, no, no; quite the contrary. You mustn't say that. I cannot be everlastingly absorbed in the same laborious train of thought. I must have something alongside of it to fill up the time of waiting. The inspiration, the intuition, you see — when it comes, it comes, and there's an end of it.

GREGERS
My dear Hialmar, I almost think you have something of the wild duck in you.

HIALMAR
Something of the wild duck? How do you mean?

GREGERS
You have dived down and bitten yourself fast in the undergrowth.

HIALMAR
Are you alluding to the well-nigh fatal shot that has broken my father's wing — and mine, too?

GREGERS
Not exactly to that. I don't say that your wing has been broken; but you have strayed into a poisonous marsh, Hialmar; an insidious disease has taken hold of you, and you have sunk down to die in the dark.

HIALMAR
I? To die in the dark? Look here, Gregers, you must really leave off talking such nonsense.

GREGERS
Don't be afraid; I shall find a way to help you up again. I, too, have a mission in life now; I found it yesterday.

HIALMAR
That's all very well; but you will please leave me out of it. I can assure you that — apart from my very natural melancholy, of course — I am as contented as any one can wish to be.

GREGERS
Your contentment is an effect of the marsh poison.

HIALMAR
Now, my dear Gregers, pray do not go on about disease and poison; I am not used to that sort of talk. In my house nobody ever speaks to me about unpleasant things.

GREGERS
Ah, that I can easily believe.

HIALMAR
It's not good for me, you see. And there are no marsh poisons here, as you express it. The poor photographer's roof is lowly, I know — and my circumstances are narrow. But I am an inventor, and I am the bread-winner of a family. That exalts me above my mean surroundings. — Ah, here comes lunch!

GINA and HEDVIG bring bottles of ale, a decanter of brandy, glasses, etc. At the same time, RELLING and MOLVIK enter from the passage; they are both without hat or overcoat. MOLVIK is dressed in black.]

GINA
[Placing the things upon the table.] Ah, you two have come in the nick of time.

RELLING
Molvik got it into his head that he could smell herring-salad, and then there was no holding him. — Good morning again, Ekdal.

HIALMAR
Gregers, let me introduce you to Mr. Molvik. Doctor — Oh, you know Relling, don't you?

GREGERS
Yes, slightly.

RELLING
Oh, Mr. Werle, junior! Yes, we two have had one or two little skirmishes up at the Hoidal works. You've just moved in?

GREGERS
I moved in this morning.

RELLING
Molvik and I live right under you; so you haven't far to go for the doctor and the clergyman, if you should need anything in that line.

GREGERS
Thanks, it's not quite unlikely; for yesterday we were thirteen at table.

HIALMAR
Oh, come now, don't let us get upon unpleasant subjects again!

RELLING
You may make your mind easy, Ekdal; I'll be hanged if the finger of fate points to you.

HIALMAR
I should hope not, for the sake of my family. But let us sit down now, and eat and drink and be merry.

GREGERS
Shall we not wait for your father?

HIALMAR
No, his lunch will be taken in to him later. Come along!

[The men seat themselves at table, and eat and drink. GINA and HEDVIG go in and out and wait upon them.]

RELLING
Molvik was frightfully screwed yesterday, Mrs. Ekdal.

GINA
Really? Yesterday again?

RELLING
Didn't you hear him when I brought him home last night?

GINA
No, I can't say I did.

RELLING
That was a good thing, for Molvik was disgusting last night.

GINA
Is that true, Molvik?

MOLVIK
Let us draw a veil over last night's proceedings. That sort of thing is totally foreign to my better self.

RELLING
[To GREGERS.] It comes over him like a sort of possession, and then I have to go out on the loose with him. Mr. Molvik is daemonic, you see.

GREGERS
Daemonic?

RELLING
Molvik is daemonic, yes.

GREGERS
H'm.

RELLING
And daemonic natures are not made to walk straight through the world; they must meander a little now and then. — Well, so you still stick up there at those horrible grimy works?

GREGERS
I have stuck there until now.

RELLING
And did you ever manage to collect that claim you went about presenting?

GREGERS
Claim? [Understands him.] Ah, I see.

HIALMAR
Have you been presenting claims, Gregers?

GREGERS
Oh, nonsense.

RELLING
Faith, but he has, though! He went round to all the cotters' cabins presenting something he called "the claim of the ideal."

GREGERS
I was young then.

RELLING
You're right; you were very young. And as for the claim of the ideal — you never got it honoured while I was up there.

GREGERS
Nor since either.

RELLING
Ah, then you've learnt to knock a little discount off, I expect.

GREGERS
Never, when I have a true man to deal with.

HIALMAR
No, I should think not, indeed. A little butter, Gina.

RELLING
And a slice of bacon for Molvik.

MOLVIK
Ugh; not bacon!

[A knock at the garret door.]

HIALMAR
Open the door, Hedvig; father wants to come out.

[HEDVIG goes over and opens the door a little way; EKDAL enters with a fresh rabbit-skin; she closes the door after him.]

EKDAL
Good morning, gentlemen! Good sport to-day. Shot a big one.

HIALMAR
And you've gone and skinned it without waiting for me —!

EKDAL
Salted it, too. It's good tender meat, is rabbit; it's sweet; it tastes like sugar. Good appetite to you, gentlemen!

[Goes into his room.]

MOLVIK
[Rising.] Excuse me —; I can't —; I must get downstairs immediately —

RELLING
Drink some soda water, man!

MOLVIK
[Hurrying away.] Ugh — ugh!

[Goes out by the passage door.]

RELLING
[To HIALMAR.] Let us drain a glass to the old hunter.

HIALMAR
[Clinks glasses with him.] To the undaunted sportsman who has looked death in the face!

RELLING
To the grey-haired — [Drinks.] By-the-bye, is his hair grey or white?

HIALMAR
Something between the two, I fancy; for that matter, he has very few hairs left of any colour.

RELLING
Well, well, one can get through the world with a wig. After all, you are a happy man, Ekdal; you have your noble mission to labour for —

HIALMAR
And I do labour, I can tell you.

RELLING
And then you have your excellent wife, shuffling quietly in and out in her felt slippers, with that see-saw walk of hers, and making everything cosy and comfortable about you —

HIALMAR
Yes, Gina — [nods to her] — you were a good helpmate on the path of life.

GINA
Oh, don't sit there cricketising me.

RELLING
And your Hedvig, too, Ekdal!

HIALMAR
[Affected.] The child, yes! The child before everything! Hedvig, come here to me. [Strokes her hair.] What day is it to-morrow, eh?

HEDVIG
[Shaking him.] Oh, no, you're not to say anything, father.

HIALMAR
It cuts me to the heart when I think what a poor affair it will be; only a little festivity in the garret —

HEDVIG
Oh, but that's just what I like!

RELLING
Just you wait till the wonderful invention sees the light, Hedvig!

HIALMAR
Yes, indeed — then you shall see —! Hedvig, I have resolved to make your future secure. You shall live in comfort all your days. I will demand — something or other — on your behalf. That shall be the poor inventor's sole reward.

HEDVIG
[Whispering, with her arms round his neck.] Oh, you dear, kind father!

RELLING
[To GREGERS.] Come now, don't you find it pleasant, for once in a way, to sit at a well-spread table in a happy family circle?

HIALMAR
Ah, yes, I really prize these social hours.

GREGERS
For my part, I don't thrive in marsh vapours.

RELLING
Marsh vapours?

HIALMAR
Oh, don't begin with that stuff again!

GINA
Goodness knows there's no vapours in this house, Mr. Werle; I give the place a good airing every blessed day.

GREGERS
[Leaves the table.] No airing you can give will drive out the taint I mean.

HIALMAR
Taint!

GINA
Yes, what do you say to that, Ekdal!

RELLING
Excuse me — may it not be you yourself that have brought the taint from those mines up there?

GREGERS
It is like you to call what I bring into this house a taint.

RELLING
[Goes up to him.] Look here, Mr. Werle, junior: I have a strong suspicion that you are still carrying about that "claim of the ideal" large as life, in your coat-tail pocket.

GREGERS
I carry it in my breast.

RELLING
Well, wherever you carry it, I advise you not to come dunning us with it here, so long as I am on the premises.

GREGERS
And if I do so none the less?

RELLING
Then you'll go head-foremost down the stairs; now I've warned you.

HIALMAR
[Rising.] Oh, but Relling —!

GREGERS
Yes, you may turn me out —

GINA
[Interposing between them.] We can't have that,

RELLING
But I must say, Mr. Werle, it ill becomes you to talk about vapours and taints, after all the mess you made with your stove.

[A knock at the passage door.]

HEDVIG
Mother, there's somebody knocking.

HIALMAR
There now, we're going to have a whole lot of people!

GINA
I'll go [Goes over and opens the door, starts, and draws back.] Oh — oh, dear!

[WERLE, in a fur coat, advances one step into the room.]

WERLE
Excuse me; but I think my son is staying here.

GINA
[With a gulp.] Yes.

HIALMAR
[Approaching him.] Won't you do us the honour to —?

WERLE
Thank you, I merely wish to speak to my son.

GREGERS
What is it? Here I am.

WERLE
I want a few words with you, in your room.

GREGERS
In my room? Very well — [About to go.

GINA
No, no, your room's not in a fit state —

WERLE
Well then, out in the passage here; I want to have a few words with you alone.

HIALMAR
You can have them here, sir. Come into the parlour, Relling.

[HIALMAR and RELLING go off to the right. GINA takes HEDVIG with her into the kitchen.]

GREGERS
[After a short pause.] Well, now we are alone.

WERLE
From something you let fall last evening, and from your coming to lodge with the Ekdals, I can't help inferring that you intend to make yourself unpleasant to me, in one way or another.

GREGERS
I intend to open Hialmar Ekdal's eyes. He shall see his position as it really is — that is all.

WERLE
Is that the mission in life you spoke of yesterday?

GREGERS
Yes. You have left me no other.

WERLE
Is it I, then, that have crippled your mind, Gregers?

GREGERS
You have crippled my whole life. I am not thinking of all that about mother — But it's thanks to you that I am continually haunted and harassed by a guilty conscience.

WERLE
Indeed! It is your conscience that troubles you, is it?

GREGERS
I ought to have taken a stand against you when the trap was set for Lieutenant Ekdal. I ought to have cautioned him; for I had a misgiving as to what was in the wind.

WERLE
Yes, that was the time to have spoken.

GREGERS
I did not dare to, I was so cowed and spiritless. I was mortally afraid of you — not only then, but long afterwards.

WERLE
You have got over that fear now, it appears.

GREGERS
Yes, fortunately. The wrong done to old Ekdal, both by me and by — others, can never be undone; but Hialmar I can rescue from all the falsehood and deception that are bringing him to ruin.

WERLE
Do you think that will be doing him a kindness?

GREGERS
I have not the least doubt of it.

WERLE
You think our worthy photographer is the sort of man to appreciate such friendly offices?

GREGERS
Yes, I do.

WERLE
H'm — we shall see.

GREGERS
Besides, if I am to go on living, I must try to find some cure for my sick conscience.

WERLE
It will never be sound. Your conscience has been sickly from childhood. That is a legacy from your mother, Gregers — the only one she left you.

GREGERS
[With a scornful half-smile.] Have you not yet forgiven her for the mistake you made in supposing she would bring you a fortune?

WERLE
Don't let us wander from the point. — Then you hold to your purpose of setting young Ekdal upon what you imagine to be the right scent?

GREGERS
Yes, that is my fixed resolve.

WERLE
Well, in that case I might have spared myself this visit; for, of course, it is useless to ask whether you will return home with me?

GREGERS
Quite useless.

WERLE
And I suppose you won't enter the firm either?

GREGERS
No.

WERLE
Very good. But as I am thinking of marrying again, your share in the property will fall to you at once.*

* By Norwegian law, before a widower can marry again, a certain proportion of his property must be settled on his children by his former marriage.

GREGERS
[Quickly.] No, I do not want that.

WERLE
You don't want it?

GREGERS
No, I dare not take it, for conscience' sake.

WERLE
[After a pause.] Are you going up to the works again?

GREGERS
No; I consider myself released from your service.

WERLE
But what are you going to do?

GREGERS
Only to fulfil my mission; nothing more.

WERLE
Well but afterwards? What are you going to live upon?

GREGERS
I have laid by a little out of my salary.

WERLE
How long will that last?

GREGERS
I think it will last my time.

WERLE
What do you mean?

GREGERS
I shall answer no more questions.

WERLE
Good-bye then, Gregers.

GREGERS
Good-bye.

[WERLE goes.]

HIALMAR
[Peeping in.] He's gone, isn't he?

GREGERS
Yes.

HIALMAR and RELLING enter; also GINA and HEDVIG from the kitchen.]

RELLING
That luncheon-party was a failure.

GREGERS
Put on your coat, Hialmar; I want you to come for a long walk with me.

HIALMAR
With pleasure. What was it your father wanted? Had it anything to do with me?

GREGERS
Come along. We must have a talk. I'll go and put on my overcoat.

[Goes out by the passage door.]

GINA
You shouldn't go out with him, Ekdal.

RELLING
No, don't you do it. Stay where you are.

HIALMAR
[Gets his hat and overcoat.] Oh, nonsense! When a friend of my youth feels impelled to open his mind to me in private —

RELLING
But devil take it — don't you see that the fellow's mad, cracked, demented!

GINA
There, what did I tell you! His mother before him had crazy fits like that sometimes.

HIALMAR
The more need for a friend's watchful eye. [To GINA.] Be sure you have dinner ready in good time. Good-bye for the present.

[Goes out by the passage door.]

RELLING
It's a thousand pities the fellow didn't go to hell through one of the Hoidal mines.

GINA
Good Lord! what makes you say that?

RELLING
[Muttering.] Oh, I have my own reasons.

GINA
Do you think young Werle is really mad?

RELLING
No, worse luck; he's no madder than most other people. But one disease he has certainly got in his system.

GINA
What is it that's the matter with him?

RELLING
Well, I'll tell you, Mrs. Ekdal. He is suffering from an acute attack of integrity.

GINA
Integrity?

HEDVIG
Is that a kind of disease?

RELLING
Yes, it's a national disease; but it only appears sporadically. [Nods to GINA.] Thanks for your hospitality.

[He goes out by the passage door.]

GINA
[Moving restlessly to and fro.] Ugh, that Gregers Werle — he was always a wretched creature.

HEDVIG
[Standing by the table, and looking searchingly at her.] I think all this is very strange.