Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/205

 Ballested.

[Turning round.] Ah—good morning. [Hoists the flag.] So-ho!—up goes the balloon! [Makes the cord fast, and begins to busy himself at the easel.] I take off my hat to you, sir—though I don't think I have the pleasure

Lyngstrand.

You are a painter, are you not?

Ballested.

Yes, certainly. Why should I not be a painter?

Lyngstrand.

Ah, I can see you are.—Should you mind my coming in for a moment?

Ballested.

Do you want to have a look at it?

Lyngstrand.

Yes, I should like to extremely.

Ballested.

Oh there's nothing much to see as yet. But pray come in—you're quite welcome.

Lyngstrand.

Many thanks.

[He comes in through the garden gate.

Ballested.

[Painting.] It's the inner part of the fiord, among the islands, that I am working at.

Lyngstrand.

Yes, I see.