Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/277

 Mrs. Rummel.

Used to have—fortunately; for now they don't recognise the relationship. Yes, she was a strange being! Would you believe it, she cut her hair short, and went about in rainy weather with men's shoes on!

Mrs. Holt.

And when her step-brother—the ne'er-do-well—had run away, and the whole town was of course crying out against him—what do you think she did? Why, she followed him.

Mrs. Rummel.

Yes, but think of the scandal before she left, Mrs. Holt!

Mrs. Holt.

Hush—don't talk about it.

Mrs. Lynge.

What, was there a scandal about her too?

Mrs. Rummel.

Yes, I'll tell you all about it, Mrs. Lynge. Bernick had just proposed to Betty Tönnesen; and as he was coming, with her on his arm, into her aunt's room to announce the engagement to her

Mrs. Holt.

The Tönnesens were orphans, you understand.

Mrs. Rummel.

Lona Hessel rose from her chair, and gave the handsome, aristocratic Karsten Bernick a ringing box on the ear!

Mrs. Lynge.

Well, I never!