Chapter 23

Relling.

Mr. Werle has better ones, I have no doubt.

Mrs. Sörby.

He hasn’t frittered away all that was good in him, at any rate. The man who does that must take the consequences.

Relling.

I shall go out with Molvik this evening.

Mrs. Sörby.

You musn’t do that, Relling. Don’t do it—for my sake.

Relling.

There’s nothing else for it. [ToHialmar.] If you’re going with us, come along.

Gina.

No, thank you. Ekdal doesn’t go in forthatsort of dissertation.

Hialmar.

[Half aloud, in vexation.] Oh, do hold your tongue!

Relling.

Good-bye, Mrs.—Werle.

[Goes out through the passage door.

Gregers.

[ToMrs. Sörby.] You seem to know Dr. Relling pretty intimately.

Mrs. Sörby.

Yes, we have known each other for many years. At one time it seemed as if things might have gone further between us.

Gregers.

It was surely lucky for you that they did not.

Mrs. Sörby.

You may well say that. But I have always been wary of acting on impulse. A woman can’t afford absolutely to throw herself away.

Gregers.

Are you not in the least afraid that I may let my father know about this old friendship?

Mrs. Sörby.

Why, of course I have told him all about it myself.

Gregers.

Indeed?

Mrs. Sörby.

Your father knows every single thing that can,with any truth, be said about me. I have told him all; it was the first thing I did when I saw what was in his mind.

Gregers.

Then you have been franker than most people, I think.

Mrs. Sörby.

I have always been frank. We women find that the best policy.

Hialmar.

What do you say to that, Gina?

Gina.

Oh, we’re not all alike, us women aren’t. Some are made one way, some another.

Mrs. Sörby.

Well, for my part, Gina, I believe it’s wisest to do as I've done. And Werle has no secrets either, on his side. That’s really the great bond between us, you see. Now he can talk to me as openly as a child. He has never had the chance to do that before. Fancy a man like him, full of health and vigour, passing his whole youth and the best years of his life in listening to nothing but penitential sermons! And very often the sermons had for their text the most imaginary offences—at least so I understand.

Gina.

That’s true enough.

Gregers.

If you ladies are going to follow up this topic, I had better withdraw.

Mrs. Sörby.

You can stay so far as that’s concerned. I shan’t say a word more. But I wanted you to know that I had done nothing secretly or in an underhand way. I may seem to have come in for a great piece of luck; and so I have, in a sense. But after all, I don’t think I am getting any more than I am giving. I shall stand by him always, and I can tend and care for him as no one else can, now that he is getting helpless.

Hialmar.

Getting helpless?

Gregers.

[ToMrs. Sörby.] Hush, don’t speak of that here.

Mrs. Sörby.

There is no disguising it any longer, however much he would like to. He is going blind.

Hialmar.

[Starts.] Going blind? That’s strange. He too going blind!

Gina.

Lots of people do.

Mrs. Sörby.

And you can imagine whatthatmeans to a business man. Well, I shall try as well as I can to make my eyes take the place of his. But I musn’t stay any longer; I have such heaps of things to do.—Oh, by-the-bye, Ekdal, I was to tell you that if there is anything Werle can do for you, you must just apply to Gråberg.

Gregers.

That offer I am sure Hialmar Ekdal will decline with thanks.

Mrs. Sörby.

Indeed? I don’t think he used to be so——

Gina.

No, Bertha, Ekdal doesn’t need anything from Mr. Werle now.

Hialmar.

[Slowly, and with emphasis.] Will you present my compliments to your future husband, and say that I intend very shortly to call upon Mr. Gråberg——

Gregers.

What! You don’t really mean that?

Hialmar.

To call upon Mr. Gråberg, I say, and obtain an account of the sum I owe his principal. I will pay that debt of honour—ha ha ha! a debt of honour, let us call it! In any case, I will pay the whole, with five per cent. interest.

Gina.

But, my dear Ekdal, God knows we haven’t got the money to do it.

Hialmar.

Be good enough to tell your future husband that I am working assiduously at my invention. Please tell him that what sustains me in this laborious task is the wish to free myself from a torturing burden of debt. That is my reason for proceeding with the invention. The entire profitsshall be devoted to releasing me from my pecuniary obligations to your future husband.

Mrs. Sörby.

Something has happened here.

Hialmar.

Yes, you are right.

Mrs. Sörby.

Well, good-bye. I had something else to speak to you about, Gina; but it must keep till another time. Good-bye.

[HialmarandGregersbow silently.GinafollowsMrs. Sörbyto the door.

Hialmar.

Not beyond the threshold, Gina!

[Mrs. Sörbygoes;Ginashuts the door after her.

Hialmar.

There now, Gregers; I have got that burden of debt off my mind.

Gregers.

You soon will, at all events.

Hialmar.

I think my attitude may be called correct.

Gregers.

You are the man I have always taken you for.

Hialmar.

In certain cases, it is impossible to disregard the claim of the ideal. Yet, as the breadwinnerof a family, I cannot but writhe and groan under it. I can tell you it is no joke for a man without capital to attempt the repayment of a long-standing obligation, over which, so to speak, the dust of oblivion had gathered. But it cannot be helped: the Man in me demands his rights.

Gregers.

[Laying his hand onHialmar’sshoulder.] My dear Hialmar—was it not a good thing I came?

Hialmar.

Yes.

Gregers.

Are you not glad to have had your true position made clear to you?

Hialmar.

[Somewhat impatiently.] Yes, of course I am. But there is one thing that is revolting to my sense of justice.

Gregers.

And what is that?

Hialmar.

It is that—but I don’t know whether I ought to express myself so unreservedly about your father.

Gregers.

Say what you please, so far as I am concerned.

Hialmar.

Well then, is it not exasperating to think that it is not I, but he, who will realise the true marriage?

Gregers.

How can you say such a thing?

Hialmar.

Because it is clearly the case. Isn’t the marriage between your father and Mrs. Sörby founded upon complete confidence, upon entire and unreserved candour on both sides? They hide nothing from each other, they keep no secrets in the background; their relation is based, if I may put it so, on mutual confession and absolution.

Gregers.

Well, what then?

Hialmar.

Well, is not that the whole thing? Did you not yourself say that this was precisely the difficulty that had to be overcome in order to found a true marriage?

Gregers.

But this is a totally different matter, Hialmar. You surely don’t compare either yourself or your wife with those two——? Oh, you understand me well enough.

Hialmar.

Say what you like, there is something in all this that hurts and offends my sense of justice. It really looks as if there were no just providence to rule the world.

Gina.

Oh no, Ekdal; for God’s sake don’t say such things.

Gregers.

H'm; don’t let us get upon those questions.

Hialmar.

And yet, after all, I cannot but recognise the guiding finger of fate. He is going blind.

Gina.

Oh, you can’t be sure of that.

Hialmar.

There is no doubt about it. At all events there ought not to be; for in that very fact lies the righteous retribution. He has hoodwinked a confiding fellow creature in days gone by——

Gregers.

I fear he has hoodwinked many.

Hialmar.

And now comes inexorable, mysterious Fate, and demands Werle’s own eyes.

Gina.

Oh, how dare you say such dreadful things! You make me quite scared.

Hialmar.

It is profitable, now and then, to plunge deep into the night side of existence.

Hedvig,in her hat and cloak, comes in by the passage door. She is pleasurably excited, and out of breath.

Gina.

Are you back already?

Hedvig.

Yes, I didn’t care to go any farther. It was a good thing, too; for I've just met some one at the door.

Hialmar.

It must have been that Mrs. Sörby.

Hedvig.

Yes.

Hialmar.

[Walks up and down.] I hope you have seen her for the last time.

[Silence.Hedvig,discouraged, looks first at one and then at the other, trying to divine their frame of mind.

Hedvig.

[Approaching, coaxingly.] Father.

Hialmar.

Well—what is it, Hedvig?

Hedvig.

Mrs. Sörby had something with her for me.

Hialmar.

[Stops.] For you?

Hedvig.

Yes. Something for to-morrow.

Gina.

Bertha has always given you some little thing on your birthday.

Hialmar.

What is it?

Hedvig.

Oh, you mustn’t see it now. Mother is to give it to me to-morrow morning before I'm up.

Hialmar.

What is all this hocus-pocus that I am to be kept in the dark about!

Hedvig.

[Quickly.] Oh no, you may see it if you like. It’s a big letter.

[Takes the letter out of her cloak pocket.

Hialmar.

A letter too?

Hedvig.

Yes, it is only a letter. The rest will come afterwards, I suppose. But fancy—a letter! I've never had a letter before. And there’s “Miss” written upon it. [Reads.] “Miss Hedvig Ekdal.” Only fancy—that’s me!

Hialmar.

Let me see that letter.

Hedvig.

[Hands it to him.] There it is.

Hialmar.

That is Mr. Werle’s hand.

Gina.

Are you sure of that, Ekdal?

Hialmar.

Look for yourself.

Gina.

Oh, what doIknow about such-like things?

Hialmar.

Hedvig, may I open the letter—and read it?

Hedvig.

Yes, of course you may, if you want to.

Gina.

No, not to-night, Ekdal; it’s to be kept till to-morrow.

Hedvig.

[Softly.] Oh, can’t you let him read it! It’s sure to be something good; and then father will be glad, and everything will be nice again.

Hialmar.

I may open it then?

Hedvig.

Yes do, father. I'm so anxious to know what it is.

Hialmar.

Well and good. [Opens the letter, takes out a paper, reads it through, and appears bewildered.] What is this——!

Gina.

What does it say?

Hedvig.

Oh yes, father—tell us!

Hialmar.

Be quiet. [Reads it through again; he has turnedpale, but says with self-control:] It is a deed of gift, Hedvig.

Hedvig.

Is it? What sort of gift am I to have?

Hialmar.

Read for yourself.

[Hedviggoes over and reads for a time by the lamp.

Hialmar.

[Half-aloud, clenching his hands.] The eyes! The eyes—and then that letter!

Hedvig.

[Leaves off reading.] Yes, but it seems to me that it’s grandfather that’s to have it.

Hialmar.

[Takes the letter from her.] Gina—can you understand this?

Gina.

I know nothing whatever about it; tell me what’s the matter.

Hialmar.

Mr. Werle writes to Hedvig that her old grandfather need not trouble himself any longer with the copying, but that he can henceforth draw on the office for a hundred crowns a month——

Gregers.

Aha!

Hedvig.

A hundred crowns, mother! I read that.

Gina.

What a good thing for grandfather!

Hialmar.

——a hundred crowns a month so long as he needs it—that means, of course, so long as he lives.

Gina.

Well, so he’s provided for, poor dear.

Hialmar.

But there is more to come. You didn’t read that, Hedvig. Afterwards this gift is to pass on to you.

Hedvig.

To me! The whole of it?

Hialmar.

He says that the same amount is assured to you for the whole of your life. Do you hear that, Gina?

Gina.

Yes, I hear.

Hedvig.

Fancy—all that money for me! [Shakes him.] Father, father, aren’t you glad——?

Hialmar.

[Eluding her.] Glad! [Walks about.] Oh what vistas—what perspectives open up before me! It is Hedvig, Hedvig that he showers these benefactions upon!

Gina.

Yes, because it’s Hedvig’s birthday——

Hedvig.

And you’ll get it all the same, father! You know quite well I shall give all the money to you and mother.

Hialmar.

To mother, yes! There we have it.

Gregers.

Hialmar, this is a trap he is setting for you.

Hialmar.

Do you think it’s another trap?

Gregers.

When he was here this morning he said: Hialmar Ekdal is not the man you imagine him to be.

Hialmar.

Not the man——!

Gregers.

That you shall see, he said.

Hialmar.

He meant you should see that I would let myself be bought off——!

Hedvig.

Oh mother, what does all this mean?

Gina.

Go and take off your things.

[Hedviggoes out by the kitchen door, half-crying.

Gregers.

Yes, Hialmar—now is the time to show who was right, he or I.

Hialmar.

[Slowly tears the paper across, lays both pieces on the table, and says:] Here is my answer.

Gregers.

Just what I expected.

Hialmar.

[Goes over toGina, who stands by the stove, and says in a low voice:] Now please make a clean breast of it. If the connection between you and him was quite over when you—came to care for me, as you call it—why did he place us in a position to marry?

Gina.

I suppose he thought as he could come and go in our house.

Hialmar.

Onlythat? Was not he afraid of a possible contingency?

Gina.

I don’t know what you mean.

Hialmar.

I want to know whether—your child has the right to live under my roof.

Gina.

[Draws herself up; her eyes flash.]Youask that!

Hialmar.

You shall answer me this one question: Does Hedvig belong to me—or——? Well!

Gina.

[Looking at him with cold defiance.] I don’t know.

Hialmar.

[Quivering a little.] You don’t know!

Gina.

How shouldIknow? A creature likeme——

Hialmar.

[Quietly turning away from her.] Then I have nothing more to do in this house.

Gregers.

Take care, Hialmar! Think what you are doing!

Hialmar.

[Puts on his overcoat.] In this case, there is nothing for a man like me to think twice about.

Gregers.

Yes indeed, there are endless things to be considered. You three must be together if you are to attain the true frame of mind for self-sacrifice and forgiveness.

Hialmar.

I don’t want to attain it. Never, never! My hat! [Takes his hat.] My home has fallen in ruins about me. [Bursts into tears.] Gregers, I have no child!

Hedvig.

[Who has opened the kitchen door.] What is that you’re saying? [Coming to him.] Father, father!

Gina.

There, you see!

Hialmar.

Don’t come near me, Hedvig! Keep far away. I cannot bear to see you. Oh! those eyes——! Good-bye.[Makes for the door.

Hedvig.

[Clinging close to him and screaming loudly.] No! no! Don’t leave me!

Gina.

[Cries out.] Look at the child, Ekdal! Look at the child!

Hialmar.

I will not! I cannot! I must get out—away from all this!

[He tears himself away fromHedvig,and goes out by the passage door.

Hedvig.

[With despairing eyes.] He is going away from us, mother! He is going away from us! He will never come back again!

Gina.

Don’t cry, Hedvig. Father’s sure to come back again.

Hedvig.

[Throws herself sobbing on the sofa.] No, no, he’ll never come home to us any more.

Gregers.

Do you believe I meant all for the best, Mrs. Ekdal?

Gina.

Yes, I daresay you did; but God forgive you, all the same.

Hedvig.

[Lying on the sofa.] Oh, this will kill me! What have I done to him? Mother, you must fetch him home again!

Gina.

Yes yes yes; only be quiet, and I'll go out and look for him. [Puts on her outdoor things.] Perhaps he’s gone in to Relling’s. But you mustn’t lie there and cry. Promise me!

Hedvig.

[Weeping convulsively.] Yes, I'll stop, I'll stop; if only father comes back!

Gregers.

[ToGina, who is going.] After all, had you not better leave him to fight out his bitter fight to the end?

Gina.

Oh, he can do that afterwards. First of all, we must get the child quieted.

[Goes out by the passage door.

Hedvig.

[Sits up and dries her tears.] Now you must tell me what all this means. Why doesn’t father want me any more?

Gregers.

You mustn’t ask that till you are a big girl—quite grown-up.

Hedvig.

[Sobs.] But I can’t go on being as miserable as this till I'm grown-up.—I think I know what it is.—Perhaps I'm not really father’s child.

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