Chapter 18

Hialmar.

No, don’t call me that. Here have I been feasting at the rich man’s table,—battening at the groaning board——! And I couldn’t even——!

Gina.

[Sitting at the table.] Oh nonsense, nonsense, Ekdal.

Hialmar.

It’s not nonsense! And yet you mustn’t be too hard upon me. You know that I love you for all that.

Hedvig.

[Throwing her arms round him.] And we love you, oh so dearly, father!

Hialmar.

And if I am unreasonable once in a while,—why then—you must remember that I am a man beset by a host of cares. There, there! [Dries his eyes.] No beer at such a moment as this. Give me the flute.

[Hedvigruns to the bookcase and fetches it.

Hialmar.

Thanks! That’s right. With my flute in my hand and you two at my side—ah——!

[Hedvigseats herself at the table nearGina:Hialmarpaces backwards and forwards, pipes up vigorously, and plays a Bohemian peasant dance, but in a slow plaintive tempo, and with sentimental expression.

Hialmar.

[Breaking off the melody, holds out his left hand toGina, and says with emotion:] Our roof may be poor and humble, Gina; but it is home. And with all my heart I say: here dwells my happiness.

[He begins to play again; almost immediately after, a knocking is heard at the entrance door.

Gina.

[Rising.] Hush, Ekdal,—I think there’s some one at the door.

Hialmar.

[Laying the flute on the bookcase.] There! Again!

[Ginagoes and opens the door.

Gregers Werle.

[In the passage.] Excuse me——

Gina.

[Starting back slightly.] Oh!

Gregers.

——does not Mr. Ekdal, the photographer, live here?

Gina.

Yes, he does.

Hialmar.

[Going towards the door.] Gregers! You here after all? Well, come in then.

Gregers.

[Coming in.] I told you I would come and look you up.

Hialmar.

But this evening——? Have you left the party?

Gregers.

I have left both the party and my father’s house.—Good evening, Mrs. Ekdal. I don’t know whether you recognise me?

Gina.

Oh yes; it’s not difficult to know young Mr. Werle again.

Gregers.

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

Hialmar.

Left your father’s house, did you say?

Gregers.

Yes, I have gone to a hotel.

Hialmar.

Indeed. Well, since you’re here, take off your coat and sit down.

Gregers.

Thanks.

[He takes off his overcoat. He is now dressed in a plain grey suit of a countrified cut.

Hialmar.

Here, on the sofa. Make yourself comfortable.

[Gregersseats himself on the sofa;Hialmartakes a chair at the table.

Gregers.

[Looking around him.] So these are your quarters, Hialmar—this is your home.

Hialmar.

This is the studio, as you see——

Gina.

But it’s the largest of our rooms, so we generally sit here.

Hialmar.

We used to live in a better place; but this flat has one great advantage: there are such capital outer rooms——

Gina.

And we have a room on the other side of the passage that we can let.

Gregers.

[ToHialmar.] Ah—so you have lodgers too?

Hialmar.

No, not yet. They’re not so easy to find, you see; you have to keep your eyes open. [ToHedvig.] What about that beer, eh?

[Hedvignods and goes out into the kitchen.

Gregers.

So that is your daughter?

Hialmar.

Yes, that isHedvig.

Gregers.

And she is your only child?

Hialmar.

Yes, the only one. She is the joy of our lives, and—[lowering his voice]—at the same time our deepest sorrow, Gregers.

Gregers.

What do you mean?

Hialmar.

She is in serious danger of losing her eyesight.

Gregers.

Becoming blind?

Hialmar.

Yes. Only the first symptoms have appeared as yet, and she may not feel it much for some time. But the doctor has warned us. It is coming, inexorably.

Gregers.

What a terrible misfortune! How do you account for it?

Hialmar.

[Sighs.] Hereditary, no doubt.

Gregers.

[Starting.] Hereditary?

Gina.

Ekdal’s mother had weak eyes.

Hialmar.

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

Gregers.

Poor child! And how does she take it?

Hialmar.

Oh, you can imagine we haven’t the heart to tell her of it. She dreams of no danger. Gay and careless and chirping like a little bird, she flutters onward into a life of endless night. [Overcome.] Oh, it is cruelly hard on me, Gregers.

[Hedvigbrings a tray with beer and glasses, which she sets upon the table.

Hialmar.

[Stroking her hair.] Thanks, thanks, Hedvig.

[Hedvigputs her arm round his neck and whispers in his ear.

Hialmar.

No, no bread and butter just now. [Looks up.] But perhaps you would like some, Gregers.

Gregers.

[With a gesture of refusal.] No, no thank you.

Hialmar.

[Still melancholy.] Well, you can bring in a little all the same. If you have a crust, that is all I want. And plenty of butter on it, mind.

[Hedvignods gaily and goes out into the kitchen again.

Gregers.

[Who has been following her with his eyes.] She seems quite strong and healthy otherwise.

Gina.

Yes. In other ways there’s nothing amiss with her, thank goodness.

Gregers.

She promises to be very like you, Mrs. Ekdal. How old is she now?

Gina.

Hedvig is close on fourteen; her birthday is the day after to-morrow.

Gregers.

She is pretty tall for her age, then.

Gina.

Yes, she’s shot up wonderful this last year.

Gregers.

It makes one realise one’s own age to see these young people growing up.—How long is it now since you were married?

Gina.

We’vebeen married—let me see—just on fifteen years.

Gregers.

Is it so long as that?

Gina.

[Becomes attentive; looks at him.] Yes, it is indeed.

Hialmar.

Yes, so it is. Fifteen years all but a few months. [Changing his tone.] They must have been long years for you, up at the works, Gregers.

Gregers.

They seemed long while I was living them;now they are over, I hardly know how the time has gone.

[Old Ekdalcomes from his room without his pipe, but with his old-fashioned uniform cap on his head; his gait is somewhat unsteady.

Ekdal.

Come now, Hialmar, let’s sit down and have a good talk about this—h’m—what was it again?

Hialmar.

[Going towards him.] Father, we have a visitor here—Gregers Werle.—I don’t know if you remember him.

Ekdal.

[Looking atGregers, who has risen.] Werle? Is that the son? What does he want with me?

Hialmar.

Nothing; it’s me he has come to see.

Ekdal.

Oh! Then there’s nothing wrong?

Hialmar.

No, no, of course not.

Ekdal.

[With a large gesture.] Not that I'm afraid, you know; but——

Gregers.

[Goes over to him.] I bring you a greeting from your old hunting-grounds, Lieutenant Ekdal.

Ekdal.

Hunting-grounds?

Gregers.

Yes, up in Höidal, about the works, you know.

Ekdal.

Oh, up there. Yes, I knew all those places well in the old days.

Gregers.

You were a great sportsman then.

Ekdal.

So I was, I don’t deny it. You’re looking at my uniform cap. I don’t ask anybody’s leave to wear it in the house. So long as I don’t go out in the streets with it——

[Hedvigbrings a plate of bread and butter, which she puts upon the table.

Hialmar.

Sit down, father, and have a glass of beer. Help yourself, Gregers.

[Ekdalmutters and stumbles over to the sofa.Gregersseats himself on the chair nearest to him,Hialmaron the other side ofGregers.Ginasits a little way from the table, sewing;Hedvigstands beside her father.

Gregers.

Can you remember, Lieutenant Ekdal, how Hialmar and I used to come up and visit you in the summer and at Christmas?

Ekdal.

Did you? No, no, no; I don’t remember it. But sure enough I've been a tidy bit of a sportsman in my day. I've shot bears too. I've shot nine of 'em, no less.

Gregers.

[Looking sympathetically at him.] And now you never get any shooting?

Ekdal.

Can’t just say that, sir. Get a shot now and then perhaps. Of course not in the old way. For the woods you see—the woods, the woods——! [Drinks.] Are the woods fine up there now?

Gregers.

Not so fine as in your time. They have been thinned a good deal.

Ekdal.

Thinned? [More softly, and as if afraid.] It’s dangerous work that. Bad things come of it. The woods revenge themselves.

Hialmar.

[Filling up his glass.] Come—a little more, father.

Gregers.

How can a man like you—such a man for the open air—live in the midst of a stuffy town, boxed within four walls?

Ekdal.

[Laughs quietly and glances atHialmar.] Oh, it’s not so bad here. Not at all so bad.

Gregers.

But don’t you miss all the things that used to be a part of your very being—the cool sweeping breezes, the free life in the woods and on the uplands, among beasts and birds——?

Ekdal.

[Smiling.] Hialmar, shall we let him see it?

Hialmar.

[Hastily and a little embarrassed.] Oh no no, father; not this evening.

Gregers.

What does he want to show me?

Hialmar.

Oh, it’s only something—you can see it another time.

Gregers.

[Continues, to the old man.] You see I have been thinking, Lieutenant Ekdal, that you should come up with me to the works; I am sure to be going back soon. No doubt you could get some copying there too. And here, you have nothing on earth to interest you—nothing to liven you up.

Ekdal.

[Stares in astonishment at him.] HaveInothing on earth to——!

Gregers.

Of course you have Hialmar; but then he has his own family. And a man like you, who has always had such a passion for what is free and wild——

Ekdal.

[Thumps the table.] Hialmar, heshallsee it!

Hialmar.

Oh, do you think it’s worth while, father? It’s all dark.

Ekdal.

Nonsense; it’s moonlight. [Rises.] Heshallsee it, I tell you. Let me pass! Come and help me, Hialmar.

Hedvig.

Oh yes, do, father!

Hialmar.

[Rising.] Very well then.

Gregers.

[ToGina.] What is it?

Gina.

Oh, nothing so very wonderful, after all.

[EkdalandHialmarhave gone to the back wall and are each pushing back a side of the sliding door;Hedvighelps the old man;Gregersremains standing by the sofa;Ginasits still and sews. Through the open doorway a large, deep irregular garret is seen with odd nooks and corners; a couple of stove-pipes running through it, from rooms below. There are sky-lights through which clear moonbeams shine in on some parts of the great room; others lie in deep shadow.

Ekdal.

[ToGregers.] You may come close up if you like.

Gregers.

[Going over to them.] Why, what is it?

Ekdal.

Look for yourself. H'm.

Hialmar.

[Somewhat embarrassed.] This belongs to father, you understand.

Gregers.

[At the door, looks into the garret.] Why, you keep poultry, LieutenantEkdal.Ekdal.

Ekdal.

Should think wedidkeep poultry. They’ve gone to roost now. But you should just see our fowls by daylight, sir!

Hedvig.

And there’s a——

Ekdal.

Sh—sh! don’t say anything about it yet.

Gregers.

And you have pigeons too, I see.

Ekdal.

Oh yes, haven’t we just got pigeons! They have their nest-boxes up there under the roof-tree; for pigeons like to roost high, yousee.see.

Hialmar.

They aren’t all common pigeons.

Ekdal.

Common! Should think not indeed! Wehave tumblers, and a pair of pouters, too. But come here! Can you see that hutch down there by the wall?

Gregers.

Yes; what do you use it for?

Ekdal.

That’s where the rabbits sleep, sir.

Gregers.

Dear me; so you have rabbits too?

Ekdal.

Yes, you may take my word for it, we have rabbits! He wants to know if we have rabbits, Hialmar! H'm! But now comes the thing, let me tell you! Here we have it! Move away, Hedvig. Stand here; that’s right,—and now look down there.—Don’t you see a basket with straw in it?

Gregers.

Yes. And I can see a fowl lying in the basket.

Ekdal.

H’m—“a fowl”——

Gregers.

Isn’t it a duck?

Ekdal.

[Hurt.] Why, of course it’s a duck.

Hialmar.

But whatkindof duck, do you think?

Hedvig.

It’s not just a common duck——

Ekdal.

Sh!

Gregers.

And it’s not a Muscovy duck either.

Ekdal.

No, Mr.—Werle; it’s not a Muscovy duck; for it’s a wild duck!

Gregers.

Is it really? A wild duck?

Ekdal.

Yes, that’s what it is. That “fowl” as you call it—is the wild duck. It’s our wild duck, sir.

Hedvig.

Mywild duck. It belongs to me.

Gregers.

And can it live up here in the garret? Does it thrive?

Ekdal.

Of course it has a trough of water to splash about in, you know.

Hialmar.

Fresh water every other day.

Gina.

[Turning towardsHialmar.] But my dear Ekdal, it’s getting icy cold here.

Ekdal.

H'm, we had better shut up then. It’s as wellnot to disturb their night’s rest, too. Close up, Hedvig.

[HialmarandHedvigpush the garret doors together.

Ekdal.

Another time you shall see her properly. [Seats himself in the arm-chair by the stove.] Oh, they’re curious things, these wild ducks, I can tell you.

Gregers.

How did you manage to catch it, Lieutenant Ekdal?

Ekdal.

Ididn’t catch it. There’s a certain man in this town whom we have to thank for it.

Gregers.

[Starts slightly.] That man was not my father, was he?

Ekdal.

You’ve hit it. Your father and no one else. H'm.

Hialmar.

Strange that you should guess that, Gregers.

Gregers.

You were telling me that you owed so many things to my father; and so I thought perhaps——

Gina.

But we didn’t get the duck from Mr. Werle himself——

Ekdal.

It’s Håkon Werle we have to thank for her, allthe same, Gina. [ToGregers.] He was shooting from a boat, you see, and he brought her down. But your father’s sight is not very good now. H'm; she was only wounded.

Gregers.

Ah! She got a couple of slugs in her body, I suppose.

Hialmar.

Yes, two or three.

Hedvig.

She was hit under the wing, so that she couldn’t fly.

Gregers.

And I suppose she dived to the bottom, eh?

Ekdal.

[Sleepily, in a thick voice.] Of course. Always do that, wild ducks do. They shoot to the bottom as deep as they can get, sir—and bite themselves fast in the tangle and seaweed—and all the devil’s own mess that grows down there. And they never come up again.

Gregers.

Butyourwild duck came up again, Lieutenant Ekdal.

Ekdal.

He had such an amazingly clever dog, your father had. And that dog—he dived in after the duck and fetched her up again.

Gregers.

[Who has turned toHialmar.] And then she was sent to you here?

Hialmar.

Not at once; at first your father took her home. But she wouldn’t thrive there; so Pettersen was told to put an end to her——

Ekdal.

[Half asleep.] H'm—yes—Pettersen—that ass——

Hialmar.

[Speaking more softly.] That was how we got her, you see; for father knows Pettersen a little; and when he heard about the wild duck he got him to hand her over to us.

Gregers.

And now she thrives as well as possible in the garret there?

Hialmar.

Yes, wonderfully well. She has got fat. You see, she has lived in there so long now that she has forgotten her natural wild life; and it all depends onthat.

Gregers.

You are right there, Hialmar. Be sure you never let her get a glimpse of the sky and the sea——. But I mustn’t stay any longer; I think your father is asleep.

Hialmar.

Oh, as for that——

Gregers.

But, by-the-bye—you said you had a room to let—a spare room?

Hialmar.

Yes; what then? Do you know of anybody——?

Gregers.

CanIhave that room?

Hialmar.

You?

Gina.

Oh no, Mr. Werle,you——

Gregers.

May I have the room? If so, I'll take possession first thing to-morrow morning.

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