Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/220

 raws him into a corner, and whispers].
 * The Absolute Reason
 * departed this life at eleven last night.

PEER
 * God help me-!

BEGRIFFENFELDT
 * Why, yes, it's extremely deplorable.
 * And as I'm placed, you see, it is doubly unpleasant;
 * for this institution has passed up to now
 * for what's called a madhouse.

PEER
 * A madhouse, ha!

BEGRIFFENFELDT
 * Not now, understand!

PEER [softly, pale with fear].
 * Now I see what the place is!
 * And the man is mad;-and there's none that knows it!
 * [Tries to steal away.]

BEGRIFFENFELDT [following him].
 * However, I hope you don't misunderstand me?
 * When I said he was dead, I was talking stuff.
 * He's beside himself. Started clean out of his skin,-
 * just like my compatriot Munchausen's fox.

PEER
 * Excuse me a moment-

BEGRIFFENFELDT [hol