Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/311

 Hialmar.

Well?

Ekdal.

Afraid we shall have to move the water-trough, after all.

Hialmar.

What else have I been saying all along?

Ekdal. H'm—h'm—h'm.

[Goes away from the door again. [Hialmar goes on working a little; glances towards the garret and half rises. Hedvig comes in from the kitchen.

Hialmar.

[Sits down again hurriedly.] What do you want?

Hedvig. I only wanted to come in beside you, father.

Hialmar.

[After a pause.] What makes you go prying around like that? Perhaps you are told off to watch me?

Hedvig.

No, no.

Hialmar.

What is your mother doing out there?

Hedvig.

Oh, mother's in the middle of making the herring-salad. [Goes to the table.] Isn't there any little thing I could help you with, father?