The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen--Delphi Classics (Illustrated) by Henrik Ibsen

Author:Henrik Ibsen [IBSEN, HENRIK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 17 of 29 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

ACT FOURTH.

[HIALMAR EKDAL’S studio. A photograph has just been taken; a camera with the cloth over it, a pedestal, two chairs, a folding table, etc., are standing out in the room. Afternoon light; the sun is going down; a little later it begins to grow dusk.]

[GINA stands in the passage doorway, with a little box and a wet glass plate in her hand, and is speaking to somebody outside.]

GINA.

Yes, certainly. When I make a promise I keep it. The first dozen shall be ready on Monday. Good afternoon.

[Someone is heard going downstairs. GINA shuts the door, slips the plate into the box, and puts it into the covered camera.]

HEDVIG

[comes in from the kitchen.]

Are they gone?

GINA

[tidying up.]

Yes, thank goodness, I’ve got rid of them at last.

HEDVIG.

But can you imagine why father hasn’t come home yet?

GINA.

Are you sure he’s not down in Relling’s room?

HEDVIG.

No, he’s not; I ran down the kitchen stair just now and asked.

GINA.

And his dinner standing and getting cold, too.

HEDVIG.

Yes, I can’t understand it. Father’s always so careful to be home to dinner!

GINA.

Oh, he’ll be here directly, you’ll see.

HEDVIG.

I wish he would come; everything seems so queer to-day.

GINA

[calls out.]

Here he is!

[HIALMAR EKDAL comes in at the passage door.]

HEDVIG

[going to him.]

Father! Oh, what a time we’ve been waiting for you!

GINA

[glancing sidelong at him.]

You’ve been out a long time, Ekdal.

HIALMAR

[without looking at her.]

Rather long, yes.

[He takes off his overcoat; GINA and HEDVIG go to help him; he motions them away.]

GINA.

Perhaps you’ve had dinner with Werle?

HIALMAR

[hanging up his coat.]

No.

GINA

[going towards the kitchen door.]

Then I’ll bring some in for you.

HIALMAR.

No; let the dinner alone. I want nothing to eat.

HEDVIG

[going nearer to him.]

Are you not well, father?

HIALMAR.

Well? Oh, yes, well enough. We have had a tiring walk, Gregers and I.

GINA.

You didn’t ought to have gone so far, Ekdal; you’re not used to it.

HIALMAR.

H’m; there’s many a thing a man must get used to in this world. [Wanders about the room.] Has any one been here whilst I was out?

GINA.

Nobody but the two sweethearts.

HIALMAR.

No new orders?

GINA.

No, not to-day.

HEDVIG.

There will be some to-morrow, father, you’ll see.

HIALMAR.

I hope there will; for to-morrow I am going to set to work in real earnest.

HEDVIG.

To-morrow! Don’t you remember what day it is to-morrow?

HIALMAR.

Oh, yes, by-the-bye — . Well, the day after, then. Henceforth I mean to do everything myself; I shall take all the work into my own hands.

GINA.

Why, what can be the good of that, Ekdal? It’ll only make your life a burden to you. I can manage the photography all right; and you can go on working at your invention.

HEDVIG.

And think of the wild duck, father, — and all the hens and rabbits and — !

HIALMAR.

Don’t talk to me of all that trash! From to-morrow I will never set foot in the garret again.

HEDVIG.

Oh, but father, you promised that we should have a little party —

HIALMAR.

H’m, true. Well, then, from the day after to-morrow. I should almost like to wring that cursed wild duck’s neck!

HEDVIG

[shrieks.]

The wild duck!

GINA.

Well I never!

HEDVIG

[shaking him.]

Oh, no, father; you know it’s my wild duck!

HIALMAR.

That is why I don’t do it.

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