Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/314

 Hilmar.

[On the verandah steps.] Good-morning, Betty! Good-morning, Bernick!

Mrs. Bernick.

Good-morning.

Hilmar.

Oh, you've been crying, I see. Then you've heard?

Mrs. Bernick.

Heard what?

Hilmar.

That the scandal is in full swing! Ugh!

Bernick.

What do you mean?

Hilmar.

[Coming into the room.] Why, that the two Americans are flaunting about the streets in company with Dina Dorf.

Mrs. Bernick.

[Also coming in.] Oh, Hilmar, is it possible?

Hilmar.

I can bear witness, worse luck! Lona had even the want of tact to call out to me; but I naturally pretended not to hear her.

Bernick.

And of course all this has not passed unnoticed.

Hilmar.

No; you may be sure it hasn't. People turned round and looked after them. It ran like wild-*fire over the town—like a fire on the Western