Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/355

 ACT THIRD.

The garden-room in Consul Bernick's house.

Bernick, with a cane in his hand, enters, in a violent passion, from the second room on the left, leaving the door half open.

Bernick.

There, now! At last I've done it in earnest; I don't think he'll forget that thrashing. [To some one in the other room.] What do you say?—I say you are a foolish mother! You make excuses for him, and encourage him in all his naughtinessNot naughtiness? What do you call it then? To steal out of the house at night and go to sea in a fishing-boat; to remain out till late in the day, and put me in mortal terror, as if I hadn't enough anxiety without that. And the young rascal dares to threaten me with running away! Just let him try it!—You? No, I daresay not; you don't seem to care much what becomes of him. I believe if he were to break his neck! Oh, indeed? But it happens that I need some one to carry on my work in the world; it would not suit me to be left childless. Don't argue, Betty; I have said it, once for all; he is not to leave the house. [Listens.] Hush, don't let people notice anything.

Krap comes in from the right.

Krap.

Can you spare me a moment, Consul.