Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/227

 Pettersen.

Worse than that. He went to prison.

Jensen.

To prison!

Pettersen.

Or perhaps it was the Penitentiary. [Listens.] Sh! They're leaving the table.

The dining-room door is thrown open from within, by a couple of waiters. Mrs. Sörby comes out conversing with two gentlemen. Gradually the whole company follows, amongst them Werle. Last come Hialmar Ekdal and Gregers Werle.

Mrs. Sörby.

[In passing, to the servant.] Tell them to serve the coffee in the music-room, Pettersen.

Pettersen.

Very well, Madam.

[She goes with the two Gentlemen into the inner room, and thence out to the right. Pettersen and Jensen go out the same way.

A Flabby Gentleman.

[To a Thin-haired Gentleman.] Whew! What a dinner!—It was no joke to do it justice!

The Thin-Haired Gentleman.

Oh, with a little good-will one can get through a lot in three hours.

The Flabby Gentleman.

Yes, but afterwards, afterwards, my dear Chamberlain!