Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/348



[Pointing outwards.] Do you see how free and open the country lies before us—away to the far horizon?

We have often sat on this bench before, and looked out into a much, much further distance.

It was a dreamland we then looked out over.

[Nodding sadly.] It was the dreamland of our life, yes. And now that land is buried in snow. And the old tree is dead.

[Not listening to her.] Can you see the smoke of the great steamships out on the fiord?

No.

I can. They come and they go. They weave a network of fellowship all round the world. They shed light and warmth over the souls of men in many thousands of homes. That was what I dreamed of doing.

[Softly.] And it remained a dream.