Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/296

 Hialmar.

Not at once; at first your father took her home. But she wouldn't thrive there; so Pettersen was told to put an end to her

Ekdal.

[Half asleep.] H'm—yes—Pettersen—that ass

Hialmar.

[Speaking more softly.] That was how we got her, you see; for father knows Pettersen a little; and when he heard about the wild duck he got him to hand her over to us.

Gregers.

And now she thrives as well as possible in the garret there?

Hialmar.

Yes, wonderfully well. She has got fat. You see, she has lived in there so long now that she has forgotten her natural wild life; and it all depends on that.

Gregers.

You are right there, Hialmar. Be sure you never let her get a glimpse of the sky and the sea. But I mustn't stay any longer; I think your father is asleep.

Hialmar.

Oh, as for that

Gregers.

But, by-the-bye—you said you had a room to let—a spare room?