Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/375

 Gregers. That offer I am sure Hialmar Ekdal will decline with thanks.

Mrs. Sörby. Indeed? I don't think he used to be so

Gina. No, Bertha, Ekdal doesn't need anything from Mr. Werle now.

Hialmar. [Slowly, and with emphasis.] Will you present my compliments to your future husband, and say that I intend very shortly to call upon Mr. Gråberg

Gregers. What! You don't really mean that?

Hialmar. To call upon Mr. Gråberg, I say, and obtain an account of the sum I owe his principal. I will pay that debt of honour—ha ha ha! a debt of honour, let us call it! In any case, I will pay the whole, with five per cent. interest.

Gina. But, my dear Ekdal, God knows we haven't got the money to do it.

Hialmar. Be good enough to tell your future husband that I am working assiduously at my invention. Please tell him that what sustains me in this laborious task is the wish to free myself from a torturing burden of debt. That is my reason for proceeding with the invention. The entire profits