"Boo!"

Mrs. Linden.

[Stroking her hair.] Do—it is a natural and innocent outburst—you are such a child! But I am a widow, and want employment.Doyou think your husband could find me a place as clerk in his Bank? [Proudly.] I am an excellent knitter!

Nora.

That would really be awfully funny. [ToHelmer,who enters.] Torvald, this is Christina; she wants to be a clerk in your Bank—dolet her! She thinks such a lot ofyou. [To herself.] Another taradiddle!

Helmer.

She is a sensible woman, and deserves encouragement. Come along, Mrs. Linden, and we'll see what we can do for you.

[He goes out through the hall withMrs. Linden,and the front-door is heard to slam after them.

Nora.

[Opens door, and calls.] Now, Emmy, Ivar, and Bob, come in and have a romp with Mamma—we will play hide-and-seek. [She gets under the table, smiling in quiet satisfaction;Krogstadenters—Norapounces out upon him.] Boo!... Oh, I beg your pardon. I don't do this kind of thinggenerally—though I may be a little silly.

Boo"Boo!"

Krogstad.

[Politely.] Don't mention it. I called because I happened to see your husband go out with Mrs. Linden—from which, being a person of considerable penetration, I infer that he is about to give her my post at the Bank. Now, as you owe me the balance of £300, for which I hold your acknowledgment, you will see the propriety of putting a stop to this little game at once.

Nora.

But I don't at all—not a little wee bit! I'm so childish, you know—whyshouldI?

[Sitting upright on carpet.

Krogstad.

I will try to make it plain to the meanest capacity. When you came to me for the loan, I naturally required some additional security. Your father, being a shady Government official, without a penny—for, if he had possessed one, he would presumably have left it to you—without a penny, then—I, as a cautious man of business, insisted upon having his signature as a surety. Oh, we Norwegians are sharp fellows!

Nora.

Well, yougotpapa's signature, didn't you?

Krogstad.

Oh, Igotit right enough. Unfortunately, it was dated three days after his decease—now, how do you account forthat?

Nora.

How? Why, as poor Papa was dead, and couldn't sign, I signedforhim, that's all! Only somehow I forgot to put the date back.That'show. Didn't Itellyou I was a silly, unbusiness like little thing? It's very simple.

Krogstad.

Very—but what you did amounts to forgery, notwithstanding. I happen to know, because I'm a lawyer, and have done a little in the forging way myself. So, to come to the point—ifIget kicked out, I shall not go alone!

[He bows, and goes out.

Nora.

Itcan'tbe wrong! Why, no one but Krogstad would have been taken in by it! If the Law says it's wrong, the Law's a goose—a bigger goose than poor little me even! [ToHelmer,who enters.] Oh, Torvald, how you made me jump!

Helmer.

Has anybody called? [Norashakes her head.] Oh, my little squirrel mustn't tell naughty whoppers. Why, I just met that fellow Krogstad in the hall. He's been asking you to get me to take him back—now, hasn't he?

Nora.

[Walking about.] Do just see how pretty the Christmas-tree looks!

Helmer.

Never mind the tree—I want to have this out about Krogstad. I can't take him back, because many years ago he forged a name. As a lawyer, a close observer of human nature, and a Bank Manager, I have remarked that people who forge names seldom or never confide the fact to their children—which inevitably brings moral contagion into the entire family. From which it follows, logically, that Krogstad has been poisoning his children for years by acting a part, and is morally lost. [Stretches out his hands to her.] I can't bear a morally lost Bank-cashier about me!

Nora.

But you never thought of dismissing him till Christina came!

Helmer.

H'm! I've got some business to attend to—so good-bye, little lark!

[Goes into office and shuts door.

Nora.

[Pale with terror.] If Krogstad poisons his children because he once forged a name, I must be poisoning Emmy, and Bob, and Ivar, becauseIforged papa's signature! [Short pause; she raises her head proudly.] After all, if I am a doll, I can still draw a logical inference! I mustn't play with the children any more—[hotly]—I don't care—Ishall, though! Who cares for Krogstad?

[She makes a face, choking with suppressed tears, as Curtain falls.

The room, with the cheap Art-furniture as before—except that the candles on the Christmas tree have guttered down and appear to have been lately blown out. The cotton-wool frogs and the chenille monkeys are disarranged, and there are walking things on the sofa.Noraalone.

Nora.

[Putting on a cloak and taking it off again.]

Bother Krogstad! There, I won't think of him. I'll only think of the costume ball at Consul Stenborg's, overhead, to-night, where I am to dance the Tarantella all alone, dressed as a Capri fisher-girl. It struck Torvald that, as I am a matron with three children, my performance might amuse the Consul's guests, and, at the same time, increase his connection at the Bank. Torvald is so practical. [ToMrs. Linden,who comes in with a large cardboard box.] Ah, Christina, so you have brought in my old costume?Wouldyou mind, as my husband's new Cashier, just doing up the trimming for me?

Mrs. Linden.

Not at all—is it not part of my regular duties? [Sewing.] Don't you think, Nora, that you see a little too much of Dr. Rank?

Nora.

Oh, Icouldn'tsee too much of Dr. Rank! Heisso amusing—always talking about his complaints, and heredity, and all sorts of indescribably funny things. Go away now, dear; I hear Torvald.

[Mrs. Lindengoes.EnterTorvaldfrom the Manager's room.Noraruns trippingly to him.

Nora.

[Coaxing.] Oh, Torvald, if only you won't dismiss Krogstad, you can't think how your little lark would jump about and twitter.

Helmer.

The inducement would be stronger but for the fact that, as it is, the little lark is generally engaged in that particular occupation. And I reallymustget rid of Krogstad. If I didn't, people would say I was under the thumb of my little squirrel here, and then Krogstad and I knew each other in early youth; and when two people knew each other in early youth—[a short pause]—h'm! Besides, he will address me as, "I say, Torvald"—which causes me most painful emotion! He is tactless, dishonest, familiar, and morally ruined—altogether not at all the kind of person to be a Cashier in a Bank like mine.

Nora.

But he writes in scurrilous papers—he is on the staff of the NorwegianPunch. If you dismiss him, he may write nasty things aboutyou, as wicked people did about poor dear papa!

Helmer.

Your poor dear papa was not impeccable—far from it. Iam—which makes all the difference. I have here a letter giving Krogstad the sack. One of the conveniences of living close to the Bank is, that I can use the housemaids as Bank-messengers. [Goes to door and calls.] Ellen! [Enter parlourmaid.] Take that letter—there is no answer. [Ellentakes it and goes.] That's settled—and now, Nora, as I am going to my private room, it will be a capital opportunity for you to practise the tambourine—thump away, little lark, the doors are double!

[Nods to her and goes in, shutting door.

Nora.

[Stroking her face.] HowamI to get out of this mess? [A ring at the visitors' bell.] Dr. Rank's ring!Heshall help me out of it! [Dr. Rankappears in doorway, hanging up his great-coat.] Dear Dr. Rank, howareyou?

[Takes both his hands.

Dr. Rank.

[Sitting down near the stove.] I am a miserable, hypochondriacal wretch—that's whatIam. And why am I doomed to be dismal? Why? Because my father died of a fit of the blues!Isthat fair—I put it toyou?

Nora.

Do try to be funnier thanthat! See, I will show you the flesh-coloured silk tights that I am to wear to-night—it will cheer you up. But you must only look at the feet—well, you may look at the rest if you're good.Aren'tthey lovely? Will they fit me, do you think?

Dr. Rank.

[Gloomily.] A poor fellow with both feet in the grave is not the best authority on the fit of silk stockings. I shall be food for worms before long—IknowI shall!

not the best authority"A poor fellow with both feet in the grave is not the best authority on the fit of silk stockings."

Nora.

You mustn't really be so frivolous! Take that! [She hits him lightly on the ear with the stockings; then hums a little.] I want you to do me a great service, Dr. Rank. [Rolling up stockings.] I always likedyou. I love Torvald most, ofcourse—but, somehow, I'd rather spend my time with you—youareso amusing!

Dr. Rank.

If I am, can't you guess why? [A short silence.] Because I love you! You can't pretend you didn't know it!

Nora.

Perhaps not—but it was really too clumsy of you to mention it just as I was about to ask a favour of you! It was in the worst taste! [With dignity.] You must not imagine because I joke with you about silk stockings, and tell you things I never tell Torvald, that I am therefore without the most delicate and scrupulous self-respect! I am really quite a good little doll, Dr. Rank, and now—[sits in rocking chair and smiles]—now I shan't ask you what I was going to!

[Ellencomes in with a card.

Nora.

[Terrified.] Oh, my goodness!

[Puts it in her pocket.

Dr. Rank.

Excuse my easy Norwegian pleasantry—but—h'm—anything disagreeable up?

Nora.

[To herself.] Krogstad's card! I must tellanotherwhopper! [ToRank.] No, nothing—only—only my new costume. I want to try it on here. I always do try on my dresses in the drawing-room—it'scosier, you know. So go in to Torvald and amuse him till I'm ready.

[Rankgoes intoHelmer'sroom, andNorabolts the door upon him, asKrogstadenters from hall in a fur cap.

Krogstad.

Well, I've got the sack, and so I came to see howyouare getting on. I mayn't be a nice man, but—[with feeling]—I have a heart! And, as I don't intend to give up the forged I.O.U.. unless I'm taken back, I was afraid you might be contemplating suicide, or something of that kind; and so I called to tell you that, if I were you, I wouldn't. Bad thing for the complexion, suicide—and silly, too, because it wouldn't mend matters in the least. [Kindly.] You must not take this affair too seriously, Mrs. Helmer. Get your husband to settle it amicably by taking me back as Cashier;thenI shall soon get the whip-hand ofhim, and we shall all be as pleasant and comfortable as possible together!

Nora.

Not even that prospect can tempt me! Besides, Torvald wouldn't have you back at any price now!

Krogstad.

All right, then. I have here a letter, telling your husband all. I will take the liberty of dropping it in the letter-box at your hall-door as I go out. I'll wish you good evening!

[He goes out; presently the dull sound of a thick letter dropping into a wire box is heard.

Nora.

[Softly, and hoarsely.] He's done it! HowamI to prevent Torvald from seeing it?

Helmer.

[Inside the door, rattling.] Hasn't my lark changed its dress yet? [Noraunbolts door.] What—so you arenotin fancy costume, after all? [Enters withRank.] Are there any letters for me in the box there?

Nora.

[Voicelessly.] None—not even a postcard! Oh, Torvald, don't, please, go and look—promiseme you won't! I doassureyou there isn't a letter! And I've forgotten the Tarantella you taught me—do let's run over it. I'm so afraid of breaking down—promise me not to look at the letter-box. I can't dance unless you do.

Helmer.

[Standing still, on his way to the letter-box.] I am a man of strict business habits, and some powers of observation; my little squirrel's assurances that there is nothing in the box, combined with her obvious anxiety that I should not go and see for myself, satisfy me that it is indeed empty, in spite of the fact that I have not invariably found her a strictly truthful little dicky-bird. There—there. [Sits down to piano.] Bang away on your tambourine, little squirrel—dance away, my own lark!

Nora.

[Dancing, with a long gay shawl.] Justwon'tthe little squirrel! Faster—faster! Oh, Idofeel so gay! We will have some champagne for dinner,won'twe, Torvald?

[Dances with more and more abandonment.

Helmer.

[After addressing frequent remarks in correction.] Come, come—not this awful wildness! I don't like to seequitesuch a larky little lark as this.... Really it is time you stopped!

Nora.

[Her hair coming down as she dances more wildly still, and swings the tambourine.] I can't....I can't! [To herself, as she dances.] I've only thirty-one hours left to be a bird in; and after that—[shuddering]—afterthat, Krogstad will let the cat out of the bag!

Curtain.

The same room—except that the sofa has been slightly moved, and one of the Japanese cotton-wool frogs has fallen into the fire-place.Mrs. Lindensits and reads a book—but without understanding a single line.

Mrs. Linden.

[Laying down her book, as a light tread is heard outside.] Here he is at last! [Krogstadcomes in, and stands in the doorway.] Mr. Krogstad, I have given you a secretrendezvousin this room, because it belongs to my employer, Mr. Helmer, who has lately discharged you. The etiquette of Norway permits these slight freedoms on the part of a female cashier.

Krogstad.

It does. Are we alone? [Norais heard overhead dancing the Tarantella.] Yes, I hear Mrs. Helmer's fairy footfall above. She dances the Tarantella now—by-and-by she will dance to another tune! [Changing his tone.] I don't exactly know why you should wish to have this interview—after jilting me as you did, long ago, though?

Mrs. Linden.

Don't you?Ido. I am a widow—a Norwegian widow. And it has occurred to me that there may be a nobler side to your nature somewhere—though you have not precisely the best of reputations.

Krogstad.

Right. I am a forger, and a money-lender; I am on the staff of the NorwegianPunch—a most scurrilous paper. More, I have been blackmailing Mrs. Helmer by trading on her fears, like a low cowardly cur. But, in spite of all that—[clasping his hands]—there are the makings of a fine man about meyet, Christina!

Mrs. Linden.

I believe you—at least, I'll chance it. I want some one to care for, and I'll marry you.

Krogstad.

[Suspiciously.] On condition, I suppose, that I suppress the letter denouncing Mrs. Helmer?

Mrs. Linden.

How can you think so? I am her dearest friend; but I can still see her faults, and it is my firm opinion that a sharp lesson will do her all the good in the world. She ismuchtoo comfortable. So leave the letter in the box, and come home with me.

Krogstad.

I am wildly happy! Engaged to the female cashier of the manager who has discharged me, our future is bright and secure!

[He goes out; andMrs. Lindensets the furniture straight; presently a noise is heard outside, andHelmerenters, draggingNorain. She is in fancy dress, and he in an open black domino.

Nora.

I shan't! It's too early to come away from such a nice party. Iwon'tgo to bed!

[She whimpers.

Helmer.

[Tenderly.] There'sh a naughty lil' larkie for you, Mrs. Linen! Poshtively had to drag her 'way! She'sh a capricious lil' girl—from Capri. 'Scuse me!—'fraid I've been and made a pun. Shan' 'cur again! Shplendid champagne the Consul gave us—'counts for it! [Sits down smiling.] Do youknit, Mrs. Cotton?... You shouldn't. Never knit. 'Broider. [Nodding to her, solemnly.] 'Member that. Alwaysh'broider. More—[hiccoughing]—Oriental! Gobblesh you!—goo'ni!

Mrs. Linden.

I only came in to—to see Nora's costume. Now I've seen it, I'll go.

[Goes out.

Helmer.

Awful bore that woman—hate boresh! [Looks atNora,then comes nearer.] Oh, you prillil squillikins, Idolove you so! Shomehow, I feel sho lively thishevenin'!

prillil squillikins"Oh, you prillil squillikins!"

Nora.

[Goes to other side of table.] I won'thaveall that, Torvald!

Helmer.

Why? ain't you my lil' lark—ain't thish our lil' cage? Ver-well, then. [A ring.] Rank! confound it all! [EnterDR.Rank.] Rank, dear old boy, you've been [hiccoughs] going it upstairs. Cap'tal champagne, eh? 'Shamedof you, Rank!

[He sits down on sofa, and closes his eyes gently.

Dr. Rank.

Did you notice it? [With pride.] It was almost incredible the amount I contrived to put away. But I shall suffer for it to-morrow. [Gloomily.] Heredity again! I wish I was dead! I do.

Nora.

Don't apologise. Torvald was just as bad; but he is always so good-tempered after champagne.

Dr. Rank.

Ah, well, I just looked in to say that I haven't long to live. Don't weep for me, Mrs. Helmer, it's chronic—and hereditary too. Here are my P.P.C. cards. I'm a fading flower. Can you oblige me with a cigar?

Nora.

[With a suppressed smile.] Certainly. Let me give you a light?

[Doctor Ranklights his cigar, after several ineffectual attempts, and goes out.

Helmer.

[Compassionately.] Poo' old Rank—he'sh very bad to-ni'! [Pulls himself together.] But I forgot—Bishness—I mean, bu-si-ness—mush be 'tended to. I'll go and see if there are any letters. [Goes to box.] Hallo! some one's been at the lock with a hairpin—it's one ofyourhairpins!

[Holding it out to her.

Nora.

[Quickly.] Not mine—one of Bob's, or Ivar's—they both wear hairpins!

Helmer.

[Turning over letters absently.] You must break them of it—bad habit! What a lot o' lettersh!doubleusual quantity. [OpensKrogstad's.] By Jove! [Reads it and falls back completely sobered.] What have you got to say tothis?

Nora.

[Crying aloud.] You shan't save me—let me go! Iwon'tbe saved!

Helmer.

Saveyou, indeed! Who's going to saveMe? You miserable little criminal. [Annoyed.] Ugh—ugh!

Nora.

[With hardening expression.] Indeed, Torvald, your singing-bird acted for the best!

Helmer.

Singing-bird! Your father was a rook—and you takeafterhim. Heredity again! You have utterly destroyed my happiness. [Walks round several times.] Just as I was beginning to get on, too!

Nora.

I have—but I will go away and jump into the water.

Helmer.

What good willthatdo me? People will say I had a hand in this business. [Bitterly.] If youmustforge, you might at least put your dates in correctly! But you neverhadany principle! [A ring.] The front-door bell! [A fat letter is seen to fall into the box;Helmertakes it, opens it, sees enclosure, and embracesNora.] Krogstad won't split. See, he returns the forged I.O.U.! Oh, my poor little lark,whatyou must have gone through! Come under my wing, my little scared song-bird.... Eh? youwon't! Why, what's the matternow?

Nora.

[With cold calm.] I have wings of my own, thank you, Torvald, and I mean to use them!

Helmer.

What—leave your pretty cage, and [pathetically] the old cock bird, and the poor little innocent eggs!

Nora.

Exactly. Sit down, and we will talk it over first. [Slowly.] Has it ever struck you that this is the first time you and I have ever talked seriously together about serious things?

Helmer.

Come, I do like that! How on earth could we talk about serious things when your mouth was always full of macaroons?

Nora.

[Shakes her head.] Ah, Torvald, the mouth of a mother of a family should have more solemn things in it than macaroons! I see that now, too late. No, you have wronged me. So did papa. Both of you called me a doll, and a squirrel, and a lark! You might have made something of me—and instead of that, you went and made too much of me—oh, youdid!

Helmer.

Well, you didn't seem to object to it, and really I don't exactly see what it is youdowant!

Nora.

No more do I—that is what I have got to find out. If I had been properly educated, I should have known better than to date poor papa's signature three days after he died. Now I must educatemyself. I have to gain experience, and get clear about religion, and law, and things, and whether Society is right or I am—and I must go away and never come back any more till Iameducated!

Helmer.

Then you may be away some little time? And what's to become of me and the eggs meanwhile?

Nora.

That, Torvald, is entirely your own affair. I have a higher duty than that towards you and the eggs. [Looking solemnly upward.] I mean my duty towards Myself!

Helmer.

And all this because—in a momentary annoyance at finding myself in the power of a discharged cashier who calls me "I say, Torvald," I expressed myself with ultra-Gilbertian frankness! You talk like a silly child!

Nora.

Because my eyes are opened, and I see my position with the eyes of Ibsen. I must go away at once, and begin to educate myself.

Helmer.

May I ask how you are going to set about it?

Nora.

Certainly. I shall begin—yes, I shallbeginwith a course of the Norwegian theatres. Ifthatdoesn't take the frivolity out of me, I don't really know whatwill!

[She gets her bonnet and ties it tightly.

Helmer.

Then you are really going? And you'll never think about me and the eggs any more! Oh, Nora!

Nora.

Indeed, I shall—occasionally—as strangers. [She puts on a shawl sadly, and fetches her dressing-bag.] If I ever do come back, the greatest miracle of all will have to happen. Good-bye!

[She goes out through the hall; the front door is heard to bang loudly.

Helmer.

[Sinking on a chair.] The room empty? Then she must be gone! Yes, my little lark has flown! [The dull sound of an unskilled latchkey is heard trying the lock; presently the door opens, andNora,with a somewhat foolish expression, reappears.] What? back already! Then youareeducated?

Nora.

[Puts down dressing-bag.] No, Torvald, not yet. Only, you see, I found I had only threepence-halfpenny in my purse, and the Norwegian theatres are all closed at this hour—and so I thought I wouldn't leave the cage till to-morrow—after breakfast.

Helmer.

[As if to himself.] The greatest miracle of all has happened. My little bird is not in the bushjustyet!

[Noratakes down a showily-bound dictionary from the shelf and begins her education;Helmerfetches a bag of macaroons, sits near her, and tenders one humbly. A pause.Norarepulses it, proudly. He offers it again. She snatches at it suddenly, still without looking at him, and nibbles it thoughtfully as Curtain falls.

Scene—A sitting-room cheerfully decorated in dark colours. Broad doorway, hung with black crape, in the wall at back, leading to a back drawing-room, in which, above a sofa in black horsehair, hangs a posthumous portrait of the lateGeneral Gabler.On the piano is a handsome pall. Through the glass panes of the back drawing-room window are seen a dead wall and a cemetery. Settees, sofas, chairs, &c., handsomely upholstered in black bombazine, and studded with small round nails. Bouquets of immortelles and dead grasses are lying everywhere about.

EnterAunt Julie(a good-natured-looking lady in a smart hat.)

Aunt Julie.

Well, I declare, if I believe George or Hedda are up yet! [EnterGeorge Tesman,humming, stout, careless, spectacled.] Ah, my dear boy, I have called before breakfast to inquire how you and Hedda are after returning late last night from your long honeymoon. Oh, dear me, yes; am I not your old aunt, and are not these attentions usual in Norway?

George.

Good Lord, yes! My six months' honeymoon has been quite a little travelling scholarship, eh? I have been examining archives. Think ofthat! Look here, I'm going to write a book all about the domestic interests of the Cave-dwellers during the Deluge. I'm a clever young Norwegian man of letters, eh?

Aunt Julie.

Fancy your knowing about that too! Now, dear me, thank Heaven!

George.

Let me, as a dutiful Norwegian nephew, untie that smart, showy hat of yours. [Unties it, and pats her under the chin.] Well, to be sure, you have got yourself really up—fancy that!

[He puts hat on chair close to table.

Aunt Julie.

[Giggling.] It was for Hedda's sake—to go out walking with her in. [Heddaapproaches from the back-room; she is pallid, with cold, open, steel-grey eyes; her hair is not very thick, but what there is of it is an agreeable medium brown.] Ah, dear Hedda!

[She attempts to cuddle her.

Hedda.

[Shrinking back.] Ugh, let me go, do! [Looking atAunt Julie'shat.] Tesman, you must really tell the housemaid not to leave her old hat about on the drawing-room chairs. Oh, is ityourhat? Sorry I spoke, I'm sure!

Aunt Julie.

[Annoyed.] Good gracious, little Mrs. Hedda; my nice new hat that I bought to go out walking withyouin!

George.

[Patting her on the back.] Yes, Hedda, she did, and the parasol too! Fancy, Aunt Julie always positively thinks of everything, eh?

Hedda.

[Coldly.] You holdyourtongue. Catch me going out walking with your aunt! One doesn'tdosuch things.

George.

[Beaming.] Isn't she a charming woman? Such fascinating manners! My goodness, eh? Fancy that!

Aunt Julie.

Ah, dear George, you ought indeed to be happy—but [brings out a flat package wrapped in newspaper] lookhere, my dear boy!

George.

[Opens it.] What? my dear old morning shoes! my slippers! [Breaks down.] This is positively too touching, Hedda, eh? Do you remember how badly I wanted them all the honeymoon? Come and just have a look at them—youmay!

Hedda.

Bother your old slippers and your old aunt too! [aunt Juliegoes out annoyed, followed byGeorge,still thanking her warmly for the slippers;Heddayawns;Georgecomes back and places his old slippers reverently on the table.] Why, here comes Mrs. Elvsted—anotherearly caller! She had irritating hair, and went about making a sensation with it—an old flame of yours, I've heard.

EnterMrs. Elvsted;she is pretty and gentle, with copious wavy white-gold hair and round prominent eyes, and the manner of a frightened rabbit.

Mrs. Elvsted.

[Nervous.] Oh, please, I'm so perfectly in despair. Ejlert Lövborg, you know, who was our tutor; he's written such a large new book. I inspired him. Oh, I know I don't look like it—but I did—he told me so. And, good gracious! now he's in this dangerous wicked town all alone, and he's a reformed character, and I'msofrightened about him; so, as the wife of a sheriff twenty years older than me, I came up to look after Mr. Lövborg. Do ask him here—then I can meet him. You will? How perfectly lovely of you! My husband'ssofond of him!

Hedda.

George, go and write an invitation at once; do you hear? [Georgelooks around for his slippers, takes them up and goes out.] Now we can talk, my little Thea. Do you remember how I used to pull your hair when we met on the stairs, and say I would scorch it off? Seeing people with copious hair alwaysdoesirritate me.

Mrs. Elvsted.

Goodness, yes, you were always so playful and friendly, and I was so afraid of you. I am still. And please, I've run away from my husband. Everything around him was distasteful to me. And Mr. Lövborg and I were comrades—he was dissipated, and I got a sort of power over him, and he made a real person out of me—which I wasn't before, you know; but, oh, I do hope I'm real now. He talked to me and taught me to think—chiefly of him. So, when Mr. Lövborg came here, naturally I came too. There was nothing else to do! And fancy, there is another woman whose shadow still stands between him and me! She wanted to shoot him once, and so, of course, he can never forget her. I wish I knew her name—perhaps it was that red-haired opera-singer?

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