Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/328

 with the idea of taking likenesses of all sorts of commonplace people.

Gregers.

No; your wife was saying the same thing just now.

Hialmar.

I swore that if I consecrated my powers to this handicraft, I would so exalt it that it should become both an art and a science. And to that end I determined to make this great invention

Gregers.

And what is the nature of the invention? What purpose does it serve?

Hialmar.

Oh, my dear fellow, you mustn't ask for details yet. It takes time, you see. And you must not think that my motive is vanity. It is not for my own sake that I am working. Oh no; it is my life's mission that stands before me night and day.

Gregers.

What is your life's mission?

Hialmar.

Do you forget the old man with the silver hair?

Gregers.

Your poor father? Well, but what can you do for him?

Hialmar.

I can raise up his self-respect from the dead, by restoring the name of Ekdal to honour and dignity.