Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/216

 Boletta.

[Interrupts quickly.] Mother is bathing.

Wangel.

[Looks kindly at Boletta and pats her head Then he says, with some hesitation:] Look here, little girls—do you intend to keep up this display all day? And the flag flying too?

Hilda. Why, of course we do, father!

Wangel. H'm—yes. But you see

Boletta.

[Nodding and smiling to him.] Of course you understand that it's all in honour of Mr. Arnholm. When such an old friend comes to pay his first visit to you

Hilda.

[Smiling and shaking him.] Remember—wasn't he Boletta's tutor, father?

Wangel.

[Half smiling.] You are a pair of young rogues.—Well well,—after all, it's only natural that we should remember her who is no longer among us. But all the same. Look here, Hilda. [Gives her his hand-bag.] This must go down to the surgery.—No, little girls,—I don't like all this—the manner of it, I mean. That we should make a practice every year of. Well, what can one say? I suppose there is no other way of doing it.