Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/290

 Arnholm.

Have you never taken a long sea-vogage, Mrs. Wangel?

Ellida.

Never in my life; only little trips in the fiords.

Boletta.

[With a sigh.] Oh no, we have to put up with the dry land.

Arnholm.

Well, at any rate, that is our natural element.

Ellida.

No, I don't think so at all.

Arnholm.

Not dry land?

Ellida.

No, I don't believe it. I believe that if men had only accustomed themselves from the first to live their life on the sea—or even in the sea—we should by this time have been far more perfect than we are;—both better and happier.

Arnholm.

Do you really believe that?

Ellida.

Well, at any rate, it is a theory of mine. I have often talked of it with Wangel.

Arnholm.

Indeed! And he?

Ellida.

Oh, he thinks there may be something in it.