Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/222

 Hereafter I will have nought to do with such ugly sights. I will be at work both day and night. And in a month—in a month my son will be here

[Entering.] Did you strike the bell, my lady?

[Writing.] Bring more lights. See to it in future that there are many lights in the room.

[After a pause, rises impetuously.] No, no, no;—I cannot guide the pen to-night! My head is burning and throbbing

What is ? Ah, they are screwing the lid on the coffin.

They told me when I was a child the story of Sir Aage, who rose up and walked with his coffin on his back.—If  in there bethought him one night to come with the coffin on his back, and thank me for the loan? [Laughs quietly.] H'm—what have we grown people to do with childish fancies? [Vehemently.] Nevertheless, such stories do no good! They give uneasy dreams. When my son is king, they shall be forbidden.