Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/393

 ACT FOURTH.

The garden-room in CONSUL BERNICK'S house. The table has been removed. It is a stormy afternoon, already half dark, and growing darker.

A man-servant lights the chandelier; two maid-servants bring in flower-pots, lamps, and candles, which are placed on tables and brackets along the wall. Rummel, wearing a dress-coat, white gloves, and a white necktie, stands in the room giving directions.

Rummel.

[To the servant.] Only every second candle, Jacob. The place mustn't look too brilliant; it's supposed to be a surprise, you know. And all these flowers? Oh, yes, let them stand; it will look as if they were always there

Consul Bernick comes out of his room.

Bernick.

[At the door.] What is the meaning of all this?

Rummel.

Tut, tut, are you there? [To the servants.] Yes, you can go now.

[The servants go out by the second door on the left.

Bernick.

[Coming into the room.] Why, Rummel, what the meaning of all this?