Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/83

 Mrs. Elvsted.

So he says himself, at any rate. And he, on his side, has made a real human being of me—taught me to think, and to understand so many things.

Hedda.

Did he give you lessons too, then?

Mrs. Elvsted.

No, not exactly lessons. But he talked to me—talked about such an infinity of things. And then came the lovely, happy time when I began to share in his work—when he allowed me to help him!

Hedda.

Oh he did, did he?

Mrs. Elvsted.

Yes! He never wrote anything without my assistance.

Hedda.

You were two good comrades, in fact?

Mrs. Elvsted.

[Eagerly.] Comrades! Yes, fancy, Hedda—that is the very word he used!—Oh, I ought to feel perfectly happy; and yet I cannot; for I don't know how long it will last.

Hedda.

Are you no surer of him than that?

Mrs. Elvsted.

[Gloomily.] A woman's shadow stands between Eilert Lövberg and me.