Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/235

 Gregers.

who kept house for us during the last year of my mother's illness?

Hialmar.

Yes, exactly. But, my dear friend, I'm quite sure your father told you that I was married.

Gregers.

[Who has risen.] Oh yes, he mentioned it; but not that [Walking about the room.] Stay—perhaps he did—now that I think of it. My father always writes such short letters. [Half seats himself on the arm of the chair.] Now, tell me, Hialmar—this is interesting—how did you come to know Gina—your wife?

Hialmar.

The simplest thing in the world. You know Gina did not stay here long; everything was so much upset at that time, owing to your mother's illness and so forth, that Gina was not equal to it all; so she gave notice and left. That was the year before your mother died—or it may have been the same year.

Gregers.

It was the same year. I was up at the works then. But afterwards?

Hialmar.

Well, Gina lived at home with her mother, Madam Hansen, an excellent hard-working woman, who kept a little eating-house. She had a room to let too; a very nice comfortable room.