Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/369

 Hialmar. So long as the child has me! So long as I am above ground! [A knock at the door.

Gina. Hush, Ekdal; there's some one in the passage. [Calls out.] Come in!

[Mrs. Sörby, in walking dress, comes in.

Mrs. Sörby. Good evening.

Gina. [Going towards her]. Is it really you, Bertha?

Mrs. Sörby. Yes, of course it is. But I'm disturbing you, I'm afraid?

Hialmar. No, not at all; an emissary from that house

Mrs. Sörby. [To Gina.] To tell the truth, I hoped your men-folk would be out at this time. I just ran up to have a little chat with you, and to say good-bye.

Gina. Good-bye? Are you going away, then?

Mrs. Sörby. Yes, to-morrow morning,—up to Höidal. Mr. Werle started this afternoon. [Lightly to Gregers.] He asked me to say good-bye for him.

Gina. Only fancy!