Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/303

 not humiliating for a man like me to see his grey-haired father treated as a pariah? But now I believe the fulness of time is at hand. [Takes a fresh piece of bread and butter.] As sure as I have a mission in life, I mean to fulfil it now!

Hedvig. Oh yes, father, do!

Gina. Hush! Don't wake him!

Hialmar.

[More softly.] I will fulfil it, I say. The day shall come when And that is why I say it's a good thing we have let the room; for that makes me more independent. The man who has a mission in life must be independent. [By the, arm-chair, with emotion.] Poor old white-haired father! Rely on your Hialmar. He has broad shoulders—strong shoulders, at any rate. You shall yet wake up some fine day and [To Gina.] Do you not believe it?

Gina.

[Rising.] Yes, of course I do; but in the meantime suppose we see about getting him to bed.

Hialmar. Yes, come.

[They take hold of the old man carefully.