Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/248

 Dr. Herdal. [Smiling.] Well, I admit—one couldn't well avoid noticing that your wife—h'm

Solness. Well?

Dr. Herdal. —that your wife is not particularly fond of this Miss Fosli.

Solness. Is that all? I have noticed that myself.

Dr. Herdal. And I must say I am scarcely surprised at it.

Solness. At what?

Dr. Herdal. That she should not exactly approve of your seeing so much of another woman, all day and every day.

Solness. No, no, I suppose you are right there—and Aline too. But it's impossible to make any change.

Dr. Herdal. Could you not engage a clerk?

Solness. The first man that came to hand? No, thank you—that would never do for me.

Dr. Herdal. But now, if your wife? Suppose, with her delicate health, all this tries her too much?