Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/270

 *lain Flor, and Chamberlain Balle, and Chamberlain Kaspersen, and Chamberlain—this, that, and the other—I don't know who all.

Ekdal.

[Nodding.] Hear that, Gina! Chamberlains every one of them!

Gina.

Yes, I hear as they're terrible genteel in that house nowadays.

Hedvig.

Did the Chamberlains sing, father? Or did they read aloud?

Hialmar.

No, they only talked nonsense. They wanted me to recite something for them; but I knew better than that.

Ekdal.

You weren't to be persuaded, eh?

Gina. Oh, you might have done it.

Hialmar.

No; one mustn't be at everybody's beck and call. [Walks about the room.] That's not my way, at any rate.

Ekdal.

No no; Hialmar's not to be had for the asking, he isn't.

Hialmar.

I don't see why I should bother myself to entertain people on the rare occasions when I go into society. Let the others exert themselves.