Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/229

 Werle.

[Glances towards Hialmar Ekdal.] Our usual party is twelve. [To the others.] This way, gentlemen!

[Werle and the others, all except Hialmar and Gregers, go out by the back, to the right.

Hialmar.

[Who has overheard the conversation.] You ought not to have invited me, Gregers.

Gregers.

What! Not ask my best and only friend to a party supposed to be in my honour?

Hialmar.

But I don't think your father likes it. You see I am quite outside his circle.

Gregers.

So I hear. But I wanted to see you and have a talk with you, and I certainly shan't be staying long.—Ah, we two old schoolfellows have drifted far apart from each other. It must be sixteen or seventeen years since we met.

Hialmar.

Is it so long?

Gregers.

It is indeed. Well, how goes it with you? You look well. You have put on flesh, and grown almost stout.

Hialmar.

Well, "stout" is scarcely the word; but I daresay I look a little more of a man than I used to.