Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/306

 Mrs. Bernick.

[Bursting into tears.] Oh, why are you so unkind?

Bernick

Yes, that's right; set to crying, so that the town may have that to chatter about too. Stop this nonsense, Betty. You had better sit outside there; some one might come in. Perhaps you want people to see Madam with red eyes? It would be a nice thing indeed if it got abroad that Ah! I hear some one in the passage.

[A knock.] Come in.

[Mrs. Bernick goes out to the verandah with her work. Aune comes in from the right.

Aune.

Good-morning, Consul.

Bernick.

Good-morning. Well, I suppose you can guess what I want with you?

Aune.

Your clerk told me yesterday that you were not pleased with

Bernick.

I am altogether displeased with the way things are going at the yard, Aune. You are not getting on at all with the repairs. The Palm Tree should have been at sea long ago. Mr. Vigeland comes worrying me about it everyday. He is a troublesome partner.

Aune.

The Palm Tree can sail the day after to-morrow.