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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mr Punch's Pocket Ibsen - A Collection of
+Some of the Master's Best Known Dramas, by F. Anstey
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Mr Punch's Pocket Ibsen - A Collection of Some of the Master's Best Known Dramas
+
+Author: F. Anstey
+
+Illustrator: Bernard  Partridge
+
+Release Date: February 17, 2011 [EBook #35305]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. PUNCH'S POCKET IBSEN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Neville Allen, David Clarke and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+  MR. PUNCH'S POCKET IBSEN
+
+  _A COLLECTION OF SOME OF THE MASTER'S BEST-KNOWN DRAMAS_ CONDENSED,
+  REVISED, AND SLIGHTLY RE-ARRANGED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EARNEST STUDENT
+
+  BY
+
+  F. ANSTEY
+
+  AUTHOR OF "VICE VERSA," "VOCES POPULI," ETC.
+
+  _WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY BERNARD PARTRIDGE_
+
+  LONDON WILLIAM HEINEMANN 1893
+
+  [_All rights reserved_]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+PREFATORY NOTE
+
+_The concluding piece, "Pill-Doctor Herdal," is, as the observant reader
+will instantly perceive, rather a reverent attempt to tread in the
+footprints of the Norwegian dramatist, than a version of any actually
+existing masterpiece. The author is conscious that his imitation is
+painfully lacking in the mysterious obscurity of the original, that the
+vein of allegorical symbolism is thinner throughout than it should be,
+and that the characters are not nearly so mad as persons invariably are
+in real life--but these are the faults inevitable to a prentice hand,
+and he trusts that due allowances may be made for them by the critical._
+
+_In conclusion he wishes to express his acknowledgments to Messrs.
+Bradbury and Agnew for their permission to reprint the present volume,
+the contents of which made their original appearance in the pages of
+"Punch."_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  CONTENTS
+
+  ROSMERSHOeLM
+
+  NORA; OR, THE BIRD-CAGE
+
+  HEDDA GABLER
+
+  THE WILD DUCK
+
+  PILL-DOCTOR HERDAL
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ROSMERSHOeLM
+
+ACT FIRST
+
+_Sitting-room at Rosmershoelm, with a stove, flower-stand, windows,
+  ancient and modern ancestors, doors, and everything handsome about it._
+  REBECCA WEST _is sitting knitting a large antimacassar which is nearly
+  finished. Now and then she looks out of a window, and smiles and nods
+  expectantly to someone outside._ MADAM HELSETH _is laying the table for
+  supper._
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Folding up her work slowly._] But tell me precisely, what about this
+white horse?
+
+    [_Smiling quietly._
+
+MADAM HELSETH.
+
+Lord forgive you, Miss!--[_fetching cruet-stand, and placing it on
+table_]--but you're making fun of me!
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Gravely._] No, indeed. Nobody makes fun at Rosmershoelm. Mr. Rosmer
+would not understand it. [_Shutting window._] Ah, here is Rector Kroll.
+[_Opening door._] You will stay to supper, will you not, Rector, and I
+will tell them to give us some little extra dish.
+
+KROLL.
+
+[_Hanging up his hat in the hall._] Many thanks. [_Wipes his boots._]
+May I come in? [_Comes in, puts down his stick, sits down, and looks
+about him._] And how do you and Rosmer get on together, eh?
+
+REBECCA.
+
+Ever since your sister, Beata, went mad and jumped into the mill-race,
+we have been as happy as two little birds together. [_After a pause,
+sitting down in arm-chair._] So you don't really mind my living here all
+alone with Rosmer? We were afraid you might, perhaps.
+
+KROLL.
+
+Why, how on earth--on the contrary, I shouldn't object at all if
+you--[_looks at her meaningly_]--h'm!
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Interrupting, gravely._] For shame, Rector; how can you make such
+jokes?
+
+KROLL.
+
+[_As if surprised._] Jokes! We do not joke in these parts--but here is
+Rosmer.
+
+    [_Enter_ ROSMER, _gently and softly._
+
+ROSMER.
+
+So, my dear old friend, you have come again, after a year's absence.
+[_Sits down._] We almost thought that----
+
+KROLL.
+
+[_Nods._] So Miss West was saying--but you are quite mistaken. I merely
+thought I might remind you, if I came, of our poor Beata's suicide, so I
+kept away. We Norwegians are not without our simple tact.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+It was considerate--but unnecessary. Reb--I _mean_, Miss West--and I
+often allude to the incident, do we not?
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Strikes Taendstickor._] Oh yes, indeed. [_Lighting lamp._] Whenever we
+feel a little more cheerful than usual.
+
+KROLL.
+
+You dear good people! [_Wanders up the room._] I came because the Spirit
+of Revolt has crept into my School. A Secret Society has existed for
+weeks in the Lower Third! To-day it has come to my knowledge that a
+booby trap was prepared for me by the hand of my own son, Laurits, and
+I then discovered that a hair had been inserted in my cane by my
+daughter Hilda! The only way in which a right-minded Schoolmaster can
+combat this anarchic and subversive spirit is to start a newspaper, and
+I thought that you, as a weak, credulous, inexperienced and
+impressionable kind of man, were the very person to be the Editor.
+
+    [REBECCA _laughs softly, as if to herself._
+      ROSMER _jumps up and sits down again._
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_With a look at Rosmer._] Tell him now!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Returning the look._] I can't--Some other evening. Well, perhaps----
+[_To_ KROLL.] I can't be your Editor--because [_in a low voice_] I--I am
+on the side of Laurits and Hilda!
+
+KROLL.
+
+[_Looks from one to the other, gloomily._] H'm!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+Yes. Since we last met, I have changed my views. I am going to create a
+new democracy, and awaken it to its true task of making all the people
+of this country noblemen, by freeing their wills, and purifying their
+minds!
+
+KROLL.
+
+What _do_ you mean!
+
+    [_Takes up his hat._
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Bowing his head._] I don't quite know, my dear friend; it was Reb----
+I should say Miss West's scheme.
+
+KROLL.
+
+H'm! [_A suspicion appears in his face._] Now I begin to believe that
+what Beata said about schemes----no matter. But under the
+circumstances, I will _not_ stay to supper.
+
+    [_Takes up his stick, and walks out._
+
+ROSMER.
+
+I _told_ you he would be annoyed. I shall go to bed now. I don't want
+any supper.
+
+    [_He lights a candle, and goes out; presently his footsteps
+      are heard overhead, as he undresses._ REBECCA _pulls a bell-rope._
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_To_ MADAM HELSETH, _who enters with dishes._] No, Mr. Rosmer will not
+have supper to-night. [_In a lighter tone._] Perhaps he is afraid of the
+nightmare. There are so many sorts of White Horses in this world!
+
+MADAM HELSETH.
+
+[_Shaking._] Lord! lord! that Miss West--the things she does say!
+
+    [REBECCA _goes out through door, knitting antimacassar thoughtfully,
+      as Curtain falls._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT SECOND
+
+ROSMER'S _study. Doors and windows, bookshelves, a writing-table. Door,
+  with curtain, leading to_ ROSMER'S _bedroom._ ROSMER _discovered in a
+  smoking jacket cutting a pamphlet with a paper-knife. There is a knock
+  at the door._ ROSMER _says "Come in."_ REBECCA _enters in a morning
+  wrapper and curl-papers. She sits on a chair close to_ ROSMER, _and
+  looks over his shoulder as he cuts the leaves._ RECTOR KROLL _is shown
+  up._
+
+KROLL.
+
+[_Lays his hat on the table and looks at_ REBECCA _from head to foot._]
+I am really afraid that I am in the way.
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Surprised._] Because I am in my morning wrapper and curl-papers? You
+forget that I am _emancipated_, Rector Kroll.
+
+    [_She leaves them and listens behind curtain in_ ROSMER'S _bedroom_.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+Yes, Miss West and I have worked our way forward in faithful
+comradeship.
+
+KROLL.
+
+[_Shakes his head at him slowly._] So I perceive. Miss West is naturally
+inclined to be forward. But, I say, _really_ you know----However, I
+came to tell you that poor Beata was not so mad as she looked, though
+flowers _did_ bewilder her so. [_Taking off his gloves meaningly._] She
+jumped into the mill-race because she had an idea that you ought to
+marry Miss West!
+
+[Illustration: "Taking off his gloves meaningly."]
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Jumps half up from his chair._] I? Marry--Miss West! My good gracious,
+Kroll! I don't _understand_, it is _most_ incomprehensible. [_Looks
+fixedly before him._] How _can_ people?----[_Looks at him for a moment,
+then rises._] Will you get out? [_Still quiet and self-restrained._] But
+first tell me why you never mentioned this before?
+
+KROLL.
+
+Why? Because I thought you were both orthodox, which made all the
+difference. Now I know that you side with Laurits and Hilda, and mean to
+make the democracy into noblemen, and accordingly I intend to make it
+hot for you in my paper. _Good_ morning!
+
+    [_He slams the door with spite as_ REBECCA _enters from bedroom._
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_As if surprised._] You--in my bedroom! You have been listening, dear?
+But you _are_ so emancipated.
+
+Ah, well! so our pure and beautiful friendship has been misinterpreted,
+bespattered! Just because you wear a morning wrapper, and have lived
+here alone for a year, people with coarse souls and ignoble eyes make
+unpleasant remarks! But what really _did_ drive Beata mad? _Why_ did she
+jump into the mill-race? I'm sure we did everything we could to spare
+her! I made it the business of my life to keep her in ignorance of all
+our interests--_didn't_ I, now?
+
+REBECCA.
+
+You did. But why brood over it? What _does_ it matter? Get on with your
+great beautiful task, dear--[_approaching him cautiously from
+behind_]--winning over minds and wills, and creating noblemen, you
+know--_joyful_ noblemen!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Walking about restlessly, as if in thought._] Yes, I know. I have
+never laughed in the whole course of my life--we Rosmers don't--and so I
+felt that spreading gladness and light, and making the democracy
+joyful, was properly my mission. But _now_--I feel too upset to go on,
+Rebecca, unless----[_Shakes his head heavily._] Yes, an idea has just
+occurred to me----[_Looks at her, and then runs his hands through his
+hair_]--Oh, my goodness! No--I _can't_.
+
+    [_He leans his elbows on table._
+
+REBECCA.
+
+Be a free man to the full, Rosmer--tell me your idea.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Gloomily._] I don't know what you'll say to it. It's this: Our
+platonic comradeship was all very well while I was peaceful and happy.
+Now that I am bothered and badgered, I feel--_why_, I can't exactly
+explain, but I _do_ feel that I must oppose a new and living reality to
+the gnawing memories of the past. I should perhaps, explain that this is
+equivalent to an Ibsenian proposal.
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Catches at the chair-back with joy._] How? at _last_--a rise at last!
+[_Recollects herself._] But what am I about? Am I not an emancipated
+enigma? [_Puts her hands over her ears as if in terror._] What are you
+saying? You mustn't. I can't _think_ what you mean. Go away, do!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Softly._] Be the new and living reality. It is the only way to put
+Beata out of the Saga. Shall we try it?
+
+REBECCA.
+
+Never! Do not--_do_ not ask me why--for I haven't a notion--but never!
+[_Nods slowly to him and rises._] White Horses would not induce me!
+[_With her hand on door-handle._] Now you _know_!
+
+    [_She goes out._
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Sits up, stares, thunderstruck, at the stove, and says to himself._]
+Well--I--_am_----
+
+    [_Quick Curtain._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT THIRD
+
+_Sitting-room at Rosmershoelm. Sun shining outside in the Garden. Inside_
+  REBECCA WEST _is watering a geranium with a small watering-pot. Her
+  crochet antimacassar lies in the arm-chair._ MADAME HELSETH _is rubbing
+  the chairs with furniture-polish from a large bottle. Enter_ ROSMER,
+  _with his hat and stick in his hand._ MADAME HELSETH _corks the bottle
+  and goes out to the right_.
+
+REBECCA.
+
+Good morning, dear. [_A moment after_--_crocheting._] Have you seen
+Rector Kroll's paper this morning? There's something about _you_ in it.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+Oh, indeed? [_Puts down hat and stick, and takes up paper._] H'm!
+[_Reads_--_then walks about the room._] Kroll _has_ made it hot for me.
+[_Reads some more._] Oh, this is _too_ bad! Rebecca, they _do_ say such
+nasty spiteful things! they actually call me a renegade--and I can't
+_think_ why! They _mustn't_ go on like this. All that is good in human
+nature will go to ruin if they're allowed to attack an excellent man
+like me! Only think, if I can make them see how unkind they have been!
+
+REBECCA.
+
+Yes, dear, in that you have a great and glorious object to attain--and I
+wish you may get it!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+Thanks. I think I shall. [_Happens to look through window and jumps._]
+Ah, no, I shan't--never now, I have just seen----
+
+REBECCA.
+
+_Not_ the White Horse, dear? We must really not overdo that White
+Horse!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+No--the mill-race, where Beata----[_Puts on his hat_--_takes it off
+again._] I'm beginning to be haunted by--no, I _don't_ mean the
+Horse--by a terrible suspicion that Beata may have been right after all!
+Yes, I do believe, now I come to think of it, that I must really have
+been in love with you from the first. Tell me _your_ opinion.
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Struggling with herself, and still crocheting._] Oh--I can't exactly
+say--such an odd question to ask me!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Shakes his head._] Perhaps; I have no sense of humour--no respectable
+Norwegian _has_--and I _do_ want to know--because, you see, if I _was_
+in love with you, it was a _sin_, and if I once convinced myself of
+that----
+
+    [_Wanders across the room._
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Breaking out._] Oh, these old ancestral prejudices! Here is your hat,
+and your stick, too; go and take a walk.
+
+[ROSMER _takes hat and stick, first, then goes out and takes a walk;
+presently_ MADAM HELSETH _appears, and tells_ REBECCA _something._
+REBECCA _tells her something. They whisper together._ MADAM HELSETH
+_nods, and shows in_ RECTOR KROLL, _who keeps his hat in his hand, and
+sits on a chair._
+
+KROLL.
+
+I merely called for the purpose of informing you that I consider you an
+artful and designing person, but that, on the whole, considering your
+birth and moral antecedents, you know--[_nods at her_]--it is not
+surprising. [REBECCA _walks about wringing her hands._] Why, what _is_
+the matter? Did you really not know that you had no right to your
+father's name? I'd no _idea_ you would mind my mentioning such a trifle!
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Breaking out._] I _do_ mind. I am an emancipated enigma, but I retain
+a few little prejudices still. I _don't_ like owning to my real age, and
+I _do_ prefer to be legitimate. And, after your information--of which I
+was quite ignorant, as my mother, the late Mrs. Gamvik, never _once_
+alluded to it--I feel I must confess everything. Strong-minded advanced
+women are like that. Here is Rosmer. [ROSMER _enters with his hat and
+stick._] Rosmer, I want to tell you and Rector Kroll a little story. Let
+us sit down, dear, all three of us. [_They sit down, mechanically, on
+chairs._] A long time ago, before the play began--[_in a voice scarcely
+audible_]--in Ibsenite dramas, all the interesting things somehow _do_
+happen before the play begins----
+
+ROSMER.
+
+But, Rebecca, I _know_ all this.
+
+KROLL.
+
+[_Looks hard at her._] Perhaps I had better go?
+
+REBECCA.
+
+No--I will be short. This was it. I wanted to take my share in the life
+of the New Era, and march onward with Rosmer. There was one dismal,
+insurmountable barrier--[_to_ ROSMER, _who nods gravely_]--Beata! I
+understood where your deliverance lay--and I acted. _I_ drove Beata into
+the mill-race.... There!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_After a short silence._] H'm! Well, Kroll--[_takes up his hat_]--if
+you're thinking of walking home, I'll go too. I'm going to be orthodox
+once more--after _this!_
+
+KROLL.
+
+[_Severely and impressively, to_ REBECCA.] A nice sort of young woman
+_you_ are! [_Both go out hastily, without looking at_ REBECCA.
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Speaks to herself, under her breath._] Now I _have_ done it. I wonder
+_why_. [_Pulls bell-rope._] Madam Helseth, I have just had a glimpse of
+two rushing White Horses. Bring down my hair-trunk.
+
+    [_Enter_ MADAM HELSETH, _with large hair-trunk, as Curtain falls._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT FOUR
+
+_Late evening._ REBECCA WEST _stands by a lighted lamp, with a shade
+over it, packing sandwiches, &c., in a reticule, with a faint smile. The
+antimacassar is on the sofa. Enter_ ROSMER.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Seeing the sandwiches, &c._] Sandwiches? Then you _are_ going! Why, on
+earth--I _can't_ understand!
+
+REBECCA.
+
+Dear, you never _can_. Rosmershoelm is too much for me. But how did you
+get on with Kroll?
+
+ROSMER.
+
+We have made it up. He has convinced me that the work of ennobling men
+was several sizes too large for me--so I am going to let it alone----
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_With her faint smile._] There I almost think, dear, that you are wise.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_As if annoyed._] What, so _you_ don't believe in me either,
+Rebecca--you never _did_!
+
+    [_Sits listlessly on chair._
+
+REBECCA.
+
+Not much, dear, when you are left to yourself--but I've another
+confession to make.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+What, _another_? I really can't stand any more confessions just now!
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Sitting close to him._] It is only a little one. I bullied Beata into
+the mill-race--because of a wild uncontrollable---- [ROSMER _moves
+uneasily._] Sit still, dear--uncontrollable fancy--for _you_!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Goes and sits on sofa._] Oh, my goodness, Rebecca--you _mustn't_, you
+know!
+
+    [_He jumps up and down as if embarrassed._
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, my goodness, Rebecca--you _mustn't_, you know!"]
+
+REBECCA.
+
+Don't be alarmed, dear, it is all over now. After living alone with you
+in solitude, when you showed me all your thoughts without
+reserve--little by little, somehow the fancy passed off. I caught the
+Rosmer view of life badly, and dulness descended on my soul as an
+extinguisher upon one of our Northern dips. The Rosmer view of life is
+ennobling, very--but hardly lively. And I've more yet to tell you.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Turning it off._] Isn't that enough for one evening?
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Almost voiceless._] No, dear. I have a Past--_behind_ me!
+
+ROSMER.
+
+_Behind_ you? How strange. I had an idea of that sort already. [_Starts,
+as if in fear._] A joke! [_Sadly._] Ah, no--_no_, I must not give way to
+_that_! Never mind the Past, Rebecca; I once thought that I had made the
+grand discovery that, if one is only virtuous, one will be happy. I see
+now it was too daring, too original--an immature dream. What bothers me
+is that I can't--somehow I _can't_--believe entirely in you--I am not
+even sure that I _have_ ennobled you so very much--_isn't_ it terrible?
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Wringing her hands._] Oh, this killing doubt! [_Looks darkly at him._]
+Is there anything _I_ can do to convince you?
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_As if impelled to speak against his will._] Yes, one thing--only I'm
+afraid you wouldn't see it in the same light. And yet I must mention it.
+It is like this.
+
+I want to recover faith in my mission, in my power to
+ennoble human souls. And, as a logical thinker, this I cannot do now,
+unless--well, unless you jump into the mill-race, too, like Beata!
+
+_REBECCA._
+
+[_Takes up her antimacassar, with composure, and puts it on her head._]
+Anything to oblige you.
+
+_ROSMER._
+
+[_Springs up._] What? You really _will_! You are _sure_ you don't mind?
+Then, Rebecca, I will go further. I will even go--yes--as far as you go
+yourself!
+
+_REBECCA._
+
+[_Bows her head towards his breast._] You will see me off? Thanks. Now
+you are indeed an Ibsenite.
+
+    [_Smiles almost imperceptibly._
+
+_ROSMER._
+
+[_Cautiously._] I said as far as _you_ go. I don't commit myself further
+than that. Shall we go?
+
+REBECCA.
+
+First tell me this. Are _you_ going with _me_, or am _I_ going with
+_you?_
+
+ROSMER.
+
+A subtle psychological point--but we have not time to think it out here.
+We will discuss it as we go along. Come!
+
+    [ROSMER _takes his hat and stick_, REBECCA _her reticule, with
+    sandwiches. They go out hand-in-hand through the door, which they leave
+    open. The room (as is not uncommon with rooms in Norway) is left empty.
+    Then_ MADAM HELSETH _enters through another door_.
+
+MADAM HELSETH.
+
+The cab, Miss--not here! [_Looks out._] Out together--at this time of
+night--upon my--_not_ on the garden seat? [_Looks out of window._] My
+goodness! _what_ is that white thing on the bridge--the _Horse_ at last!
+[_Shrieks aloud._] And those two sinful creatures running home!
+
+    [_Enter_ ROSMER _and_ REBECCA, _out of breath_.
+
+ROSMER.
+
+[_Scarcely able to get the words out._] It's no use, Rebecca--we must
+put it off till another evening. We can't be expected to jump off a
+footbridge which already has a White Horse on it. And if it comes to
+that, why should we jump at all? I know now that I really _have_
+ennobled you, which was all I wanted. What would be the good of
+recovering faith in my mission at the bottom of a mill-pond? No,
+Rebecca--[_Lays his hand on her head_]--there is no judge over us, and
+therefore----
+
+REBECCA.
+
+[_Interrupting gravely._] We will bind ourselves over in our own
+recognisances to come up for judgment when called upon.
+
+    [MADAM HELSETH _holds on to a chair-back._ REBECCA _finishes the
+    antimacassar calmly as Curtain falls_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+NORA; OR, THE BIRD-CAGE
+
+(ET DIKKISVOeET)
+
+ACT FIRST
+
+_A room tastefully filled with cheap Art-furniture. Gimcracks in an
+  etagere: a festoon of chenille monkeys hanging from the gaselier.
+  Japanese fans, skeletons, cotton-wool spiders, frogs and lizards,
+  scattered everywhere about. Drain-pipes with tall dyed grasses. A
+  porcelain stove decorated with transferable pictures. Showily-bound
+  books in book-case. Window. The Visitor's bell rings in the hall
+  outside. The hall-door is heard to open, and then to shut. Presently_
+  NORA _walks in with parcels; a porter carries a large Christmas-tree
+  after her--which he puts down_. NORA _gives him a shilling--and he goes
+  out grumbling_.
+
+  NORA _hums contentedly, and eats macaroons. Then_ HELMER _puts his head
+  out of his Manager's room, and_ NORA _hides macaroons cautiously_.
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Playfully._] Is that my little squirrel twittering--that my lark
+frisking in here?
+
+NORA.
+
+Ess! [_To herself._] I have only been married eight years, so these
+marital amenities have not yet had time to pall!
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Threatening with his finger._] I hope the little bird has surely not
+been digging its beak into any macaroons, eh?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Bolting one, and wiping her mouth._] No, most certainly not. [_To
+herself_] The worst of being so babyish is--one _does_ have to tell
+such a lot of taradiddles! [_To_ HELMER.] See what I've bought--it's been
+_such_ fun!
+
+    [_Hums._
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Inspecting parcels._] H'm--rather an _expensive_ little lark!
+
+    [_Takes her playfully by the ear._
+
+NORA.
+
+Little birds like to have a flutter occasionally. Which reminds me----
+[_Plays with his coat-buttons._] I'm such a simple ickle sing--but if
+you _are_ thinking of giving me a Christmas present, make it cash!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Just like your poor father, _he_ always asked me to make it cash--he
+never made any himself! It's heredity, I suppose. Well--well!
+
+[_Goes back to his Bank._ NORA _goes on humming._
+
+_Enter_ MRS. LINDEN, _doubtfully._
+
+NORA.
+
+What, Christina--why, how old you look! But then you are poor. I'm not.
+Torvald has just been made a Bank Manager. [_Tidies the room._] Isn't it
+really wonderfully delicious to be well off? But of course, you wouldn't
+know. _We_ were poor once, and, do you know, when Torvald was ill,
+I--[_tossing her head_]--though I _am_ such a frivolous little squirrel,
+and all that, I actually borrowed L300 for him to go abroad. Wasn't
+_that_ clever? Tra-la-la! I shan't tell you _who_ lent it. I didn't even
+tell Torvald. I am such a mere baby I don't tell him everything. I tell
+Dr. Rank, though. Oh, I'm so awfully happy I should like to shout, "Dash
+it all!"
+
+MRS. LINDEN.
+
+[_Stroking her hair._] Do--it is a natural and innocent outburst--you
+are such a child! But I am a widow, and want employment. _Do_ you think
+your husband could find me a place as clerk in his Bank? [_Proudly._] I
+am an excellent knitter!
+
+NORA.
+
+That would really be awfully funny. [_To_ HELMER, _who enters._]
+Torvald, this is Christina; she wants to be a clerk in your Bank--_do_
+let her! She thinks such a lot of _you_. [_To herself._] Another
+taradiddle!
+
+HELMER.
+
+She is a sensible woman, and deserves encouragement. Come along, Mrs.
+Linden, and we'll see what we can do for you.
+
+    [_He goes out through the hall with_ MRS. LINDEN, _and the front-door
+      is heard to slam after them._
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Opens door, and calls._] Now, Emmy, Ivar, and Bob, come in and have a
+romp with Mamma--we will play hide-and-seek. [_She gets under the
+table, smiling in quiet satisfaction_; KROGSTAD _enters_--NORA _pounces
+out upon him._] Boo!... Oh, I beg your pardon. I don't do this kind of
+thing _generally_--though I may be a little silly.
+
+[Illustration: "Boo!"]
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+[_Politely._] Don't mention it. I called because I happened to see your
+husband go out with Mrs. Linden--from which, being a person of
+considerable penetration, I infer that he is about to give her my post
+at the Bank. Now, as you owe me the balance of L300, for which I hold
+your acknowledgment, you will see the propriety of putting a stop to
+this little game at once.
+
+NORA.
+
+But I don't at all--not a little wee bit! I'm so childish, you know--why
+_should_ I?
+
+    [_Sitting upright on carpet._
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+I will try to make it plain to the meanest capacity. When you came to me
+for the loan, I naturally required some additional security. Your
+father, being a shady Government official, without a penny--for, if he
+had possessed one, he would presumably have left it to you--without a
+penny, then--I, as a cautious man of business, insisted upon having his
+signature as a surety. Oh, we Norwegians are sharp fellows!
+
+NORA.
+
+Well, you _got_ papa's signature, didn't you?
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+Oh, I _got_ it right enough. Unfortunately, it was dated three days
+after his decease--now, how do you account for _that_?
+
+NORA.
+
+How? Why, as poor Papa was dead, and couldn't sign, I signed _for_ him,
+that's all! Only somehow I forgot to put the date back. _That's_ how.
+Didn't I _tell_ you I was a silly, unbusiness like little thing? It's
+very simple.
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+Very--but what you did amounts to forgery, notwithstanding. I happen to
+know, because I'm a lawyer, and have done a little in the forging way
+myself. So, to come to the point--if _I_ get kicked out, I shall not go
+alone! [_He bows, and goes out._
+
+NORA.
+
+It _can't_ be wrong! Why, no one but Krogstad would have been taken in
+by it! If the Law says it's wrong, the Law's a goose--a bigger goose
+than poor little me even! [_To_ HELMER, _who enters._] Oh, Torvald, how
+you made me jump!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Has anybody called? [NORA _shakes her head._] Oh, my little squirrel
+mustn't tell naughty whoppers. Why, I just met that fellow Krogstad in
+the hall. He's been asking you to get me to take him back--now, hasn't
+he?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Walking about._] Do just see how pretty the Christmas-tree looks!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Never mind the tree--I want to have this out about Krogstad. I can't
+take him back, because many years ago he forged a name. As a lawyer, a
+close observer of human nature, and a Bank Manager, I have remarked that
+people who forge names seldom or never confide the fact to their
+children--which inevitably brings moral contagion into the entire
+family. From which it follows, logically, that Krogstad has been
+poisoning his children for years by acting a part, and is morally lost.
+[_Stretches out his hands to her._] I can't bear a morally lost
+Bank-cashier about me!
+
+NORA.
+
+But you never thought of dismissing him till Christina came!
+
+HELMER.
+
+H'm! I've got some business to attend to--so good-bye, little lark!
+[_Goes into office and shuts door._
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Pale with terror._] If Krogstad poisons his children because he once
+forged a name, I must be poisoning Emmy, and Bob, and Ivar, because _I_
+forged papa's signature! [_Short pause; she raises her head proudly._]
+After all, if I am a doll, I can still draw a logical inference! I
+mustn't play with the children any more--[_hotly_]--I don't care--I
+_shall_, though! Who cares for Krogstad?
+
+    [_She makes a face, choking with suppressed tears, as Curtain falls._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT SECOND
+
+_The room, with the cheap Art-furniture as before--except that the
+  candles on the Christmas tree have guttered down and appear to have been
+  lately blown out. The cotton-wool frogs and the chenille monkeys are
+  disarranged, and there are walking things on the sofa._ NORA _alone_.
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Putting on a cloak and taking it off again._] Bother Krogstad! There,
+I won't think of him. I'll only think of the costume ball at Consul
+Stenborg's, overhead, to-night, where I am to dance the Tarantella all
+alone, dressed as a Capri fisher-girl. It struck Torvald that, as I am
+a matron with three children, my performance might amuse the Consul's
+guests, and, at the same time, increase his connection at the Bank.
+Torvald is so practical. [_To_ MRS. LINDEN, _who comes in with a large
+cardboard box._] Ah, Christina, so you have brought in my old costume?
+_Would_ you mind, as my husband's new Cashier, just doing up the
+trimming for me?
+
+MRS. LINDEN.
+
+Not at all--is it not part of my regular duties? [_Sewing._] Don't you
+think, Nora, that you see a little too much of Dr. Rank?
+
+NORA.
+
+Oh, I _couldn't_ see too much of Dr. Rank! He _is_ so amusing--always
+talking about his complaints, and heredity, and all sorts of
+indescribably funny things. Go away now, dear; I hear Torvald.
+
+    [MRS. LINDEN _goes. Enter_ TORVALD _from the Manager's room._ NORA
+      _runs trippingly to him._
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Coaxing._] Oh, Torvald, if only you won't dismiss Krogstad, you can't
+think how your little lark would jump about and twitter.
+
+HELMER.
+
+The inducement would be stronger but for the fact that, as it is, the
+little lark is generally engaged in that particular occupation. And I
+really _must_ get rid of Krogstad. If I didn't, people would say I was
+under the thumb of my little squirrel here, and then Krogstad and I knew
+each other in early youth; and when two people knew each other in early
+youth--[_a short pause_]--h'm! Besides, he will address me as, "I say,
+Torvald"--which causes me most painful emotion! He is tactless,
+dishonest, familiar, and morally ruined--altogether not at all the kind
+of person to be a Cashier in a Bank like mine.
+
+NORA.
+
+But he writes in scurrilous papers--he is on the staff of the Norwegian
+_Punch_. If you dismiss him, he may write nasty things about _you_, as
+wicked people did about poor dear papa!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Your poor dear papa was not impeccable--far from it. I _am_--which makes
+all the difference. I have here a letter giving Krogstad the sack. One
+of the conveniences of living close to the Bank is, that I can use the
+housemaids as Bank-messengers. [_Goes to door and calls._] Ellen!
+[_Enter parlourmaid._] Take that letter--there is no answer. [ELLEN
+_takes it and goes._] That's settled--and now, Nora, as I am going to my
+private room, it will be a capital opportunity for you to practise the
+tambourine--thump away, little lark, the doors are double!
+
+    [_Nods to her and goes in, shutting door._
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Stroking her face._] How _am_ I to get out of this mess? [_A ring at
+the visitors' bell._] Dr. Rank's ring! _He_ shall help me out of it!
+[Dr. RANK _appears in doorway, hanging up his great-coat._] Dear Dr.
+Rank, how _are_ you? [_Takes both his hands_.
+
+DR. RANK.
+
+[_Sitting down near the stove._] I am a miserable, hypochondriacal
+wretch--that's what _I_ am. And why am I doomed to be dismal? Why?
+Because my father died of a fit of the blues! _Is_ that fair--I put it
+to _you_?
+
+NORA.
+
+Do try to be funnier than _that_! See, I will show you the
+flesh-coloured silk tights that I am to wear to-night--it will cheer you
+up. But you must only look at the feet--well, you may look at the rest
+if you're good. _Aren't_ they lovely? Will they fit me, do you think?
+
+DR. RANK.
+
+[_Gloomily._] A poor fellow with both feet in the grave is not the best
+authority on the fit of silk stockings. I shall be food for worms before
+long--I _know_ I shall!
+
+[Illustration: "A poor fellow with both feet in the grave is not the
+best authority on the fit of silk stockings."]
+
+NORA.
+
+You mustn't really be so frivolous! Take that! [_She hits him lightly on
+the ear with the stockings; then hums a little._] I want you to do me a
+great service, Dr. Rank. [_Rolling up stockings._] I always liked _you_.
+I love Torvald most, of _course_--but, somehow, I'd rather spend my time
+with you--you _are_ so amusing!
+
+RANK.
+
+If I am, can't you guess why? [_A short silence._] Because I love you!
+You can't pretend you didn't know it!
+
+NORA.
+
+Perhaps not--but it was really too clumsy of you to mention it just as I
+was about to ask a favour of you! It was in the worst taste! [_With
+dignity._] You must not imagine because I joke with you about silk
+stockings, and tell you things I never tell Torvald, that I am therefore
+without the most delicate and scrupulous self-respect! I am really quite
+a good little doll, Dr. Rank, and now--[_sits in rocking chair and
+smiles_]--now I shan't ask you what I was going to!
+
+    [ELLEN _comes in with a card._
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Terrified._] Oh, my goodness!
+
+    [_Puts it in her pocket._
+
+DR. RANK.
+
+Excuse my easy Norwegian pleasantry--but--h'm--anything disagreeable up?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_To herself._] Krogstad's card! I must tell _another_ whopper! [_To_
+RANK.] No, nothing--only--only my new costume. I want to try it on here.
+I always do try on my dresses in the drawing-room--it's _cosier_, you
+know. So go in to Torvald and amuse him till I'm ready.
+
+    [RANK _goes into_ HELMER'S _room, and_ NORA _bolts the door upon him,
+    as_ KROGSTAD _enters from hall in a fur cap_.
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+Well, I've got the sack, and so I came to see how _you_ are getting on.
+I mayn't be a nice man, but--[_with feeling_]--I have a heart! And, as I
+don't intend to give up the forged I.O.U. unless I'm taken back, I was
+afraid you might be contemplating suicide, or something of that kind;
+and so I called to tell you that, if I were you, I wouldn't. Bad thing
+for the complexion, suicide--and silly, too, because it wouldn't mend
+matters in the least. [_Kindly._] You must not take this affair too
+seriously, Mrs. Helmer. Get your husband to settle it amicably by taking
+me back as Cashier; _then_ I shall soon get the whip-hand of _him_, and
+we shall all be as pleasant and comfortable as possible together!
+
+NORA.
+
+Not even that prospect can tempt me! Besides, Torvald wouldn't have you
+back at any price now!
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+All right, then. I have here a letter, telling your husband all. I will
+take the liberty of dropping it in the letter-box at your hall-door as I
+go out. I'll wish you good evening!
+
+    [_He goes out; presently the dull sound of a thick letter dropping into
+    a wire box is heard._
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Softly, and hoarsely._] He's done it! How _am_ I to prevent Torvald
+from seeing it?
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Inside the door, rattling._] Hasn't my lark changed its dress yet?
+[NORA _unbolts door._] What--so you are _not_ in fancy costume, after
+all? [_Enters with_ RANK.] Are there any letters for me in the box
+there?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Voicelessly._] None--not even a postcard! Oh, Torvald, don't, please,
+go and look--_promise_ me you won't! I do _assure_ you there isn't a
+letter! And I've forgotten the Tarantella you taught me--do let's run
+over it. I'm so afraid of breaking down--promise me not to look at the
+letter-box. I can't dance unless you do.
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Standing still, on his way to the letter-box._] I am a man of strict
+business habits, and some powers of observation; my little squirrel's
+assurances that there is nothing in the box, combined with her obvious
+anxiety that I should not go and see for myself, satisfy me that it is
+indeed empty, in spite of the fact that I have not invariably found her
+a strictly truthful little dicky-bird. There--there. [_Sits down to
+piano._] Bang away on your tambourine, little squirrel--dance away, my
+own lark!
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Dancing, with a long gay shawl._] Just _won't_ the little squirrel!
+Faster--faster! Oh, I _do_ feel so gay! We will have some champagne for
+dinner, _won't_ we, Torvald?
+
+    [_Dances with more and more abandonment._
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_After addressing frequent remarks in correction._] Come, come--not
+this awful wildness! I don't like to see _quite_ such a larky little
+lark as this.... Really it is time you stopped!
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Her hair coming down as she dances more wildly still, and swings
+the tambourine._] I can't.... I can't! [_To herself, as she dances._]
+I've only thirty-one hours left to be a bird in; and after
+that--[_shuddering_]--after _that_, Krogstad will let the cat out of the
+bag!
+
+    [_Curtain._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT THIRD
+
+_The same room_--_except that the sofa has been slightly moved, and one
+  of the Japanese cotton-wool frogs has fallen into the fire-place_. MRS.
+  LINDEN _sits and reads a book_--_but without understanding a single
+  line_.
+
+MRS. LINDEN.
+
+[_Laying down her book, as a light tread is heard outside_.] Here he is
+at last! [KROGSTAD _comes in, and stands in the doorway._] Mr. Krogstad,
+I have given you a secret _rendezvous_ in this room, because it belongs
+to my employer, Mr. Helmer, who has lately discharged you. The etiquette
+of Norway permits these slight freedoms on the part of a female
+cashier.
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+It does. Are we alone? [NORA _is heard overhead dancing the
+Tarantella_.] Yes, I hear Mrs. Helmer's fairy footfall above. She dances
+the Tarantella now--by-and-by she will dance to another tune! [_Changing
+his tone._] I don't exactly know why you should wish to have this
+interview--after jilting me as you did, long ago, though?
+
+MRS. LINDEN.
+
+Don't you? _I_ do. I am a widow--a Norwegian widow. And it has occurred
+to me that there may be a nobler side to your nature somewhere--though
+you have not precisely the best of reputations.
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+Right. I am a forger, and a money-lender; I am on the staff of the
+Norwegian _Punch_--a most scurrilous paper. More, I have been
+blackmailing Mrs. Helmer by trading on her fears, like a low cowardly
+cur. But, in spite of all that--[_clasping his hands_]--there are the
+makings of a fine man about me _yet_, Christina!
+
+MRS. LINDEN.
+
+I believe you--at least, I'll chance it. I want some one to care for,
+and I'll marry you.
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+[_Suspiciously._] On condition, I suppose, that I suppress the letter
+denouncing Mrs. Helmer?
+
+MRS. LINDEN.
+
+How can you think so? I am her dearest friend; but I can still see her
+faults, and it is my firm opinion that a sharp lesson will do her all
+the good in the world. She is _much_ too comfortable. So leave the
+letter in the box, and come home with me.
+
+KROGSTAD.
+
+I am wildly happy! Engaged to the female cashier of the manager who has
+discharged me, our future is bright and secure!
+
+    [_He goes out; and_ MRS. LINDEN _sets the furniture straight;
+    presently a noise is heard outside, and_ HELMER _enters, dragging_
+    NORA _in. She is in fancy dress, and he in an open black domino._
+
+NORA.
+
+I shan't! It's too early to come away from such a nice party. I _won't_
+go to bed!
+
+    [_She whimpers._
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Tenderly._] There'sh a naughty lil' larkie for you, Mrs. Linen!
+Poshtively had to drag her 'way! She'sh a capricious lil' girl--from
+Capri. 'Scuse me!--'fraid I've been and made a pun. Shan' 'cur again!
+Shplendid champagne the Consul gave us--'counts for it! [_Sits down
+smiling._] Do you _knit_, Mrs. Cotton?... You shouldn't. Never knit.
+'Broider. [_Nodding to her, solemnly._] 'Member that. Alwaysh
+_'broider_. More--[_hiccoughing_]--Oriental! Gobblesh you!--goo'ni!
+
+MRS. LINDEN.
+
+I only came in to--to see Nora's costume. Now I've seen it, I'll go.
+
+    [_Goes out._
+
+HELMER.
+
+Awful bore that woman--hate boresh! [_Looks at_ NORA, _then comes
+nearer._] Oh, you prillil squillikins, I _do_ love you so! Shomehow, I
+feel sho lively thishevenin'!
+
+[Illustration: "Oh, you prillil squillikins!"]
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Goes to other side of table._] I won't _have_ all that, Torvald!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Why? ain't you my lil' lark--ain't thish our lil' cage? Ver-_well_, then.
+[_A ring._] Rank! confound it all! [_Enter_ Dr. RANK.] Rank, dear old
+boy, you've been [_hiccoughs_] going it upstairs. Cap'tal champagne, eh?
+'_Shamed_ of you, Rank!
+
+    [_He sits down on sofa, and closes his eyes gently._
+
+DR. RANK.
+
+Did you notice it? [_With pride._] It was almost incredible the amount I
+contrived to put away. But I shall suffer for it to-morrow.
+[_Gloomily._] Heredity again! I wish I was dead! I do.
+
+NORA.
+
+Don't apologise. Torvald was just as bad; but he is always so
+good-tempered after champagne.
+
+DOCTOR RANK.
+
+Ah, well, I just looked in to say that I haven't long to live. Don't
+weep for me, Mrs. Helmer, it's chronic--and hereditary too. Here are my
+P.P.C. cards. I'm a fading flower. Can you oblige me with a cigar?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_With a suppressed smile._] Certainly. Let me give you a light?
+
+    [DOCTOR RANK _lights his cigar, after several ineffectual attempts,
+    and goes out_.
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Compassionately._] Poo' old Rank--he'sh very bad to-ni'! [_Pulls
+himself together._] But I forgot--Bishness--I mean, bu-si-ness--mush be
+'tended to. I'll go and see if there are any letters. [_Goes to box._]
+Hallo! some one's been at the lock with a hairpin--it's one of _your_
+hairpins!
+
+    [_Holding it out to her._
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Quickly._] Not mine--one of Bob's, or Ivar's--they both wear hairpins!
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Turning over letters absently._] You must break them of it--bad habit!
+What a lot o' lettersh! _double_ usual quantity. [_Opens_ KROGSTAD'S.]
+By Jove! [_Reads it and falls back completely sobered._] What have you
+got to say to _this_?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Crying aloud._] You shan't save me--let me go! I _won't_ be saved!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Save _you_, indeed! Who's going to save _Me_? You miserable little
+criminal. [_Annoyed._] Ugh--ugh!
+
+NORA.
+
+[_With hardening expression._] Indeed, Torvald, your singing-bird acted
+for the best!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Singing-bird! Your father was a rook--and you take _after_ him. Heredity
+again! You have utterly destroyed my happiness. [_Walks round several
+times._] Just as I was beginning to get on, too!
+
+NORA.
+
+I have--but I will go away and jump into the water.
+
+HELMER.
+
+What good will _that_ do me? People will say I had a hand in this
+business. [_Bitterly._] If you _must_ forge, you might at least put your
+dates in correctly! But you never _had_ any principle! [_A ring._] The
+front-door bell! [_A fat letter is seen to fall into the box_; HELMER
+_takes it, opens it, sees enclosure, and embraces_ NORA.] Krogstad won't
+split. See, he returns the forged I.O.U.! Oh, my poor little lark,
+_what_ you must have gone through! Come under my wing, my little scared
+song-bird.... Eh? you _won't_! Why, what's the matter _now_?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_With cold calm._] I have wings of my own, thank you, Torvald, and I
+mean to use them!
+
+HELMER.
+
+What--leave your pretty cage, and [_pathetically_] the old cock bird,
+and the poor little innocent eggs!
+
+NORA.
+
+Exactly. Sit down, and we will talk it over first. [_Slowly._] Has it
+ever struck you that this is the first time you and I have ever talked
+seriously together about serious things?
+
+HELMER.
+
+Come, I do like that! How on earth could we talk about serious things
+when your mouth was always full of macaroons?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Shakes her head._] Ah, Torvald, the mouth of a mother of a family
+should have more solemn things in it than macaroons! I see that now, too
+late. No, you have wronged me. So did papa. Both of you called me a
+doll, and a squirrel, and a lark! You might have made something of
+me--and instead of that, you went and made too much of me--oh, you
+_did_!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Well, you didn't seem to object to it, and really I don't exactly see
+what it is you _do_ want!
+
+NORA.
+
+No more do I--that is what I have got to find out. If I had been
+properly educated, I should have known better than to date poor papa's
+signature three days after he died. Now I must educate _myself_. I have
+to gain experience, and get clear about religion, and law, and things,
+and whether Society is right or I am--and I must go away and never come
+back any more till I _am_ educated!
+
+HELMER.
+
+Then you may be away some little time? And what's to become of me and
+the eggs meanwhile?
+
+NORA.
+
+That, Torvald, is entirely your own affair. I have a higher duty than
+that towards you and the eggs. [_Looking solemnly upward._] I mean my
+duty towards Myself!
+
+HELMER.
+
+And all this because--in a momentary annoyance at finding myself in the
+power of a discharged cashier who calls me "I say, Torvald," I expressed
+myself with ultra-Gilbertian frankness! You talk like a silly child!
+
+NORA.
+
+Because my eyes are opened, and I see my position with the eyes of
+Ibsen. I must go away at once, and begin to educate myself.
+
+HELMER.
+
+May I ask how you are going to set about it?
+
+NORA.
+
+Certainly. I shall begin--yes, I shall _begin_ with a course of the
+Norwegian theatres. If _that_ doesn't take the frivolity out of me, I
+don't really know what _will_!
+
+    [_She gets her bonnet and ties it tightly._
+
+HELMER.
+
+Then you are really going? And you'll never think about me and the eggs
+any more! Oh, Nora!
+
+NORA.
+
+Indeed, I shall--occasionally--as strangers.
+
+[_She puts on a shawl sadly, and fetches her dressing-bag._] If I ever
+do come back, the greatest miracle of all will have to happen. Good-bye!
+
+    [_She goes out through the hall; the front door is heard to bang
+    loudly._
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Sinking on a chair._] The room empty? Then she must be gone! Yes, my
+little lark has flown! [_The dull sound of an unskilled latchkey is
+heard trying the lock; presently the door opens, and_ NORA, _with a
+somewhat foolish expression, reappears._] What? back already! Then you
+_are_ educated?
+
+NORA.
+
+[_Puts down dressing-bag._] No, Torvald, not yet. Only, you see, I found
+I had only threepence-halfpenny in my purse, and the Norwegian theatres
+are all closed at this hour--and so I thought I wouldn't leave the cage
+till to-morrow--after breakfast.
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_As if to himself._] The greatest miracle of all has happened. My
+little bird is not in the bush _just_ yet!
+
+    [NORA _takes down a showily-bound dictionary from the shelf and
+    begins her education;_ HELMER _fetches a bag of macaroons, sits
+    near her, and tenders one humbly. A pause._ NORA _repulses it,
+    proudly. He offers it again. She snatches at it suddenly, still
+    without looking at him, and nibbles it thoughtfully as Curtain
+    falls._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HEDDA GABLER
+
+ACT FIRST
+
+SCENE--_A sitting-room cheerfully decorated in dark colours. Broad
+  doorway, hung with black crape, in the wall at back, leading to a
+  back drawing-room, in which, above a sofa in black horsehair, hangs
+  a posthumous portrait of the late_ GENERAL GABLER. _On the piano is
+  a handsome pall. Through the glass panes of the back drawing-room
+  window are seen a dead wall and a cemetery. Settees, sofas, chairs,
+  &c., handsomely upholstered in black bombazine, and studded with
+  small round nails. Bouquets of immortelles and dead grasses are
+  lying everywhere about._
+
+      _Enter_ AUNT JULIE (_a good-natured-looking lady in a smart hat._)
+
+AUNT JULIE.
+
+Well, I declare, if I believe George or Hedda are up yet! [_Enter_
+GEORGE TESMAN, _humming, stout, careless, spectacled._] Ah, my dear boy,
+I have called before breakfast to inquire how you and Hedda are after
+returning late last night from your long honeymoon. Oh, dear me, yes; am
+I not your old aunt, and are not these attentions usual in Norway?
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Good Lord, yes! My six months' honeymoon has been quite a little
+travelling scholarship, eh? I have been examining archives. Think of
+_that_! Look here, I'm going to write a book all about the domestic
+interests of the Cave-dwellers during the Deluge. I'm a clever young
+Norwegian man of letters, eh?
+
+AUNT JULIE.
+
+Fancy your knowing about that too! Now, dear me, thank Heaven!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Let me, as a dutiful Norwegian nephew, untie that smart, showy hat of
+yours. [_Unties it, and pats her under the chin._] Well, to be sure, you
+have got yourself really up--fancy that!
+
+    [_He puts hat on chair close to table._
+
+AUNT JULIE.
+
+[_Giggling._] It was for Hedda's sake--to go out walking with her in.
+[HEDDA _approaches from the back-room; she is pallid, with cold, open,
+steel-grey eyes; her hair is not very thick, but what there is of it is
+an agreeable medium brown._] Ah, dear Hedda!
+
+    [_She attempts to cuddle her._
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Shrinking back._] Ugh, let me go, do! [_Looking at_ AUNT JULIE'S
+_hat._] Tesman, you must really tell the housemaid not to leave her old
+hat about on the drawing-room chairs. Oh, is it _your_ hat? Sorry I
+spoke, I'm sure!
+
+AUNT JULIE.
+
+[_Annoyed._] Good gracious, little Mrs. Hedda; my nice new hat that I
+bought to go out walking with _you_ in!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_Patting her on the back._] Yes, Hedda, she did, and the parasol too!
+Fancy, Aunt Julie always positively thinks of everything, eh?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Coldly._] You hold _your_ tongue. Catch me going out walking with your
+aunt! One doesn't _do_ such things.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_Beaming._] Isn't she a charming woman? Such fascinating manners! My
+goodness, eh? Fancy that!
+
+AUNT JULIE.
+
+Ah, dear George, you ought indeed to be happy--but [_brings out a flat
+package wrapped in newspaper_] look _here_, my dear boy!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_Opens it._] What? my dear old morning shoes! my slippers! [_Breaks
+down._] This is positively too touching, Hedda, eh? Do you remember how
+badly I wanted them all the honeymoon? Come and just have a look at
+them--you _may_!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Bother your old slippers and your old aunt too! [AUNT JULIE _goes out
+annoyed, followed by_ GEORGE, _still thanking her warmly for the
+slippers;_ HEDDA _yawns;_ GEORGE _comes back and places his old slippers
+reverently on the table._] Why, here comes Mrs. Elvsted--_another_ early
+caller! She had irritating hair, and went about making a sensation with
+it--an old flame of yours, I've heard.
+
+    [_Enter_ MRS. ELVSTED; _she is pretty and gentle, with copious wavy
+    white-gold hair and round prominent eyes, and the manner of a
+    frightened rabbit._
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+[_Nervous._] Oh, please, I'm so perfectly in despair. Ejlert Loevborg,
+you know, who was our tutor; he's written such a large new book. I
+inspired him. Oh, I know I don't look like it--but I did--he told me so.
+And, good gracious! now he's in this dangerous wicked town all alone,
+and he's a reformed character, and I'm _so_ frightened about him; so, as
+the wife of a sheriff twenty years older than me, I came up to look
+after Mr. Loevborg. Do ask him here--then I can meet him. You will? How
+perfectly lovely of you! My husband's _so_ fond of him!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+George, go and write an invitation at once; do you hear? [GEORGE _looks
+around for his slippers, takes them up and goes out._] Now we can talk,
+my little Thea. Do you remember how I used to pull your hair when we met
+on the stairs, and say I would scorch it off? Seeing people with copious
+hair always _does_ irritate me.
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Goodness, yes, you were always so playful and friendly, and I was so
+afraid of you. I am still. And please, I've run away from my husband.
+Everything around him was distasteful to me. And Mr. Loevborg and I were
+comrades--he was dissipated, and I got a sort of power over him, and he
+made a real person out of me--which I wasn't before, you know; but, oh,
+I do hope I'm real now. He talked to me and taught me to think--chiefly
+of him. So, when Mr. Loevborg came here, naturally I came too. There was
+nothing else to do! And fancy, there is another woman whose shadow still
+stands between him and me! She wanted to shoot him once, and so, of
+course, he can never forget her. I wish I knew her name--perhaps it was
+that red-haired opera-singer?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_With cold self-command._] Very likely--but nobody does that sort of
+thing here. Hush! Run away now. Here comes Tesman with Judge Brack.
+[MRS. ELVSTED _goes out;_ GEORGE _comes in with_ JUDGE BRACK, _who is a
+short and elastic gentleman, with a round face, carefully brushed hair,
+and distinguished profile._] How awfully funny you do look by daylight,
+Judge!
+
+BRACK.
+
+[_Holding his hat and dropping his eye-glass._] Sincerest thanks. Still
+the same graceful manners, dear little Mrs. Hed--Tesman! I came to
+invite dear Tesman to a little bachelor-party to celebrate his return
+from his long honeymoon. It is customary in Scandinavian society. It
+will be a lively affair, for I am a gay Norwegian dog.
+
+[Illustration: "I am a gay Norwegian dog."]
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Asked out--without my wife! Think of that! Eh? Oh, dear me, yes, _I_'ll
+come!
+
+BRACK.
+
+By the way, Loevborg is here; he has written a wonderful book, which has
+made a quite extraordinary sensation. Bless me, yes!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Loevborg--fancy! Well, I _am_--glad. Such marvellous gifts! And I was so
+painfully certain he had gone to the bad. Fancy that, eh? But what will
+become of him _now_, poor fellow, eh? I am so anxious to know!
+
+BRACK.
+
+Well, he may possibly put up for the Professorship against you, and,
+though you _are_ an uncommonly clever man of letters--for a
+Norwegian--it's not wholly improbable that he may cut you out!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+But, look here, good Lord, Judge Brack!--[_gesticulating_]--that would
+show an incredible want of consideration for me! I married on my chance
+of _getting_ that professorship. A man like Loevborg, too, who hasn't
+even been respectable, eh? One doesn't do such things as that!
+
+BRACK.
+
+Really? You forget we are all realistic and unconventional persons here,
+and do all kinds of odd things. But don't worry yourself!
+
+    [_He goes out._
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_To_ HEDDA.] Oh, I say, Hedda, what's to become of our fairyland now,
+eh? We can't have a liveried servant, or give dinner parties, or have a
+horse for riding. Fancy that!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Slowly, and wearily._] No, we shall really have to set up as fairies
+in reduced circumstances, now.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_Cheering up._] Still, we shall see Aunt Julie every day, and _that_
+will be something, and I've got back my old slippers. We shan't be
+altogether without some amusements, eh?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Crosses the floor._] Not while I have one thing to amuse myself with,
+at all events.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_Beaming with joy._] Oh, Heaven be praised and thanked for that! My
+goodness, so you have! And what may _that_ be, Hedda, eh?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_At the doorway, with suppressed scorn._] Yes, George you have the old
+slippers of the attentive aunt, and I have the horse-pistols of the
+deceased general!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_In an agony._] The pistols! Oh, my goodness! _what_ pistols?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_With cold eyes._] General Gabler's pistols--same which I
+shot--[_recollecting herself_]--no, that's Thackeray, not Ibsen--a
+_very_ different person.
+
+    [_She goes through the back drawing-room._
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_At doorway, shouting after her._] Dearest Hedda, _not_ those dangerous
+things, eh? Why, they have never once been known to shoot straight yet!
+Don't! Have a catapult. For _my_ sake, have a catapult!
+
+    [_Curtain._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT SECOND
+
+SCENE--_The cheerful dark drawing-room. It is afternoon._ HEDDA _stands
+  loading a revolver in the back drawing-room_.
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Looking out and shouting._] How do you do, Judge? [_Aims at him._]
+Mind yourself!
+
+    [_She fires._
+
+BRACK.
+
+[_Entering._] What the devil! Do you usually take pot-shots at casual
+visitors?
+
+    [_Annoyed._
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Invariably, when they come by the back-garden. It is my unconventional
+way of intimating that I am at home. One does do these things in
+realistic dramas, you know. And I was only aiming at the blue sky.
+
+BRACK.
+
+Which accounts for the condition of my hat. [_Exhibiting it._] Look
+here--_riddled!_
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Couldn't help myself. I am so horribly bored with Tesman. Everlastingly
+to be with a professional person!
+
+BRACK.
+
+[_Sympathetically._] Our excellent Tesman is certainly a bit of a bore.
+[_Looks searchingly at her._] What on earth made you marry him?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Tired of dancing, my dear, that's all. And then I used Tesman to take me
+home from parties; and we saw this villa; and I said I liked it, and so
+did he; and so we found some common ground, and here we are, do you
+see! And I loathe Tesman, and I don't even like the villa now; and I do
+feel the want of an entertaining companion so!
+
+BRACK.
+
+Try me. Just the kind of three-cornered arrangement that I like. Let me
+be the third person in the compartment--[_confidentially_]--the tried
+friend, and, generally speaking, cock of the walk!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Audibly drawing in her breath._] I cannot resist your polished way of
+putting things. We will conclude a triple alliance. But hush!--here
+comes Tesman.
+
+    [_Enter_ GEORGE _with a number of books under his arm._
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Puff! I _am_ hot, Hedda. I've been looking into Loevborg's new book.
+Wonderfully thoughtful--confound him! But I must go and dress for your
+party, Judge.
+
+    [_He goes out._
+
+HEDDA.
+
+I wish I could get Tesman to take to politics, Judge. Couldn't he be a
+Cabinet Minister, or something?
+
+BRACK.
+
+H'm!
+
+    [_A short pause; both look at one another, without speaking. Enter_
+    GEORGE, _in evening dress with gloves._
+
+GEORGE.
+
+It is afternoon, and your party is at half-past seven--but I like to
+dress early. Fancy that! And I am expecting Loevborg.
+
+EJLERT LOeVBORG _comes in from the hall; he is worn and pale, with red
+patches on his cheek-bones, and wears an elegant perfectly new
+visiting-suit and black gloves._
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Welcome! [_Introduces him to_ BRACK.] Listen--I have got your new book,
+but I haven't read it through yet.
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+You needn't--it's rubbish. [_Takes a packet of MSS. out._] This _isn't_.
+It's in three parts; the first about the civilising forces of the
+future, the second about the future of the civilising forces, and the
+third about the forces of the future civilisation. I thought I'd read
+you a little of it this evening?
+
+BRACK _and_ GEORGE.
+
+[_Hastily._] Awfully nice of you--but there's a little party this
+evening--so sorry we can't stop! Won't you come too?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+No, he must stop and read it to me and Mrs. Elvsted instead.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+It would never have occurred to me to think of such clever things! Are
+you going to oppose me for the professorship, eh?
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+[_Modestly._] No; I shall only triumph over you in the popular
+judgment--that's all!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Oh, is that all? Fancy! Let us go into the back drawing-room and drink
+cold punch.
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+Thanks--but I am a reformed character, and have renounced cold punch--it
+is poison.
+
+    [GEORGE _and_ BRACK _go into the back-room and drink punch, whilst_
+    HEDDA _shows_ LOeVBORG _a photograph album in the front._
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+[_Slowly, in a low tone._] Hedda Gabler! how _could_ you throw yourself
+away like this!--Oh, is _that_ the Ortler Group? Beautiful!----Have you
+forgotten how we used to sit on the settee together behind an
+illustrated paper, and--yes, very picturesque peaks--I told you all
+about how I had been on the loose?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Now, none of that here! These are the Dolomites.--Yes, I remember; it
+was a beautiful fascinating Norwegian intimacy--but it's over now. See,
+we spent a night in that little mountain village, Tesman and I.
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+Did you, indeed? Do you remember that delicious moment when you
+threatened to shoot me down? [_Tenderly._] I do!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Carelessly._] Did I! I have done that to so many people. But now all
+that is past, and you have found the loveliest consolation in dear,
+good, little Mrs. Elvsted--ah, here she is! [_Enter_ MRS. ELVSTED.] Now,
+Thea, sit down and drink up a good glass of cold punch. Mr. Loevborg is
+going to have some. If you don't, Mr. Loevborg, George and the Judge will
+think you are afraid of taking too much if you once begin.
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Oh, please, Hedda! When I've inspired Mr. Loevborg so--good gracious!
+_don't_ make him drink cold punch!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+You see, Mr. Loevborg, our dear little friend can't trust you!
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+So _that_ is my comrade's faith in me! [_Gloomily._] _I'll_ show her if
+I am to be trusted or not. [_He drinks a glass of punch._] Now I'll go
+to the Judge's party. I'll have another glass first. Your health, Thea!
+So you came up to spy on me, eh? I'll drink the Sheriff's
+health--_everybody's_ health!
+
+    [_He tries to get more punch._
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Stopping him._] No more now. You are going to a party, remember.
+
+    [GEORGE _and_ TESMAN _come in from back-room._
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+Don't be angry, Thea. I was fallen for a moment. Now I'm up again!
+[MRS. ELVSTED _beams with delight._] Judge, I'll come to your party,
+as you _are_ so pressing, and I'll read George my manuscript all the
+evening. I'll do all in _my_ power to make that party go!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+No? fancy! that _will_ be amusing!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+There, go away, you wild rollicking creatures! But Mr. Loevborg must be
+back at ten, to take dear Thea home!
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Oh, goodness, yes! [_In concealed agony._] Mr. Loevborg, I shan't go away
+till you do!
+
+    [_The three men go out laughing merrily; the Act-drop is lowered for
+    a minute; when it is raised, it is 7_ A.M., _and_ MRS. ELVSTED
+    _and_ HEDDA _are discovered sitting up, with rugs around them._
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+[_Wearily._] Seven in the morning, and Mr. Loevborg not here to take me
+home _yet_! what can he be doing?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Yawning._] Reading to Tesman, with vine-leaves in his hair, I suppose.
+Perhaps he has got to the third part.
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Oh, do you _really_ think so, Hedda. Oh, if I could but hope he was
+doing that!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+You silly little ninny! I should like to scorch your hair off. Go to
+bed!
+
+    [MRS. ELVSTED _goes_.
+
+    [_Enter_ GEORGE.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+I'm a little late, eh? But we made _such_ a night of it. Fancy! It was
+most amusing. Ejlert read his book to me--think of that! Astonishing
+book! Oh, we really had great fun! I wish _I'd_ written it. Pity he's
+so irreclaimable.
+
+HEDDA.
+
+I suppose you mean he has more of the courage of life than most people?
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Good Lord! He had the courage to get more drunk than most people. But,
+altogether, it was what you might almost call a Bacchanalian orgy. We
+finished up by going to have early coffee with some of these jolly
+chaps, and poor old Loevborg dropped his precious manuscript in the mud,
+and I picked it up--and here it is! Fancy if anything were to happen to
+it! He never could write it again. _Wouldn't_ it be sad, eh? Don't tell
+any one about it.
+
+    [_He leaves the packet of MSS. on a chair, and rushes out_; HEDDA
+    _hides the packet as_ BRACK _enters._
+
+BRACK.
+
+_Another_ early call, you see! My party was such a singularly animated
+_soiree_ that I haven't undressed all night. Oh, it was the liveliest
+affair conceivable! And, like a true Norwegian host, I tracked Loevborg
+home; and it is only my duty, as a friend of the house, and cock of the
+walk, to take the first opportunity of telling you that he finished up
+the evening by coming to mere loggerheads with a red-haired
+opera-singer, and being taken off to the police-station! You mustn't
+have him here any more. Remember our little triple alliance!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Her smile fading away._] You are certainly a dangerous person--but you
+must not get a hold over _me_!
+
+BRACK.
+
+[_Ambiguously._] What an idea! But I might--I am an insinuating dog.
+Good morning!
+
+    [_Goes out._
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+[_Bursting in, confused and excited._] I suppose you've heard where
+_I've_ been?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Evasively._] I heard you had a very jolly party at Judge Brack's.
+
+    [MRS. ELVSTED _comes in._
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+It's all over. I don't mean to do any more work. I've no use for a
+companion now, Thea. Go home to your sheriff!
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+[_Agitated._] Never! I want to be with you when your book comes out!
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+It won't _come_ out--I've torn it up! [MRS. ELVSTED _rushes out,
+wringing her hands._] Mrs. Tesman, I told her a lie--but no matter. I
+haven't torn my book up--I've done worse! I've taken it about to
+several parties, and it's been through a police-row with me--now I've
+lost it. Even if I found it again, it wouldn't be the same--not to me! I
+am a Norwegian literary man, and peculiar. So I must make an end of it
+altogether!
+
+[Illustration: "I am a Norwegian literary man, and peculiar."]
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Quite so--but look here, you must do it beautifully. I don't insist on
+your putting vine-leaves in your hair--but do it beautifully. [_Fetches
+pistol._] See, here is one of General Gabler's pistols--do it with
+_that_!
+
+LOeVBORG.
+
+Thanks!
+
+    [_He takes the pistol, and goes out through the hall-door; as soon
+    as he has gone_, HEDDA _brings out the manuscript, and puts it on
+    the fire, whispering to herself, as Curtain falls._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT THREE
+
+SCENE.--_The same room, but_--_it being evening_--_darker than ever.
+  The crape curtains are drawn. A servant, with black ribbons in her
+  cap, and red eyes, comes in and lights the gas quietly and
+  carefully. Chords are heard on the piano in the back drawing-room.
+  Presently_ HEDDA _comes in and looks out into the darkness. A short
+  pause. Enter_ GEORGE TESMAN.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+I am _so_ uneasy about poor Loevborg. Fancy! he is not at home. Mrs.
+Elvsted told me he has been here early this morning, so I suppose you
+gave him back his manuscript, eh?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Cold and immovable, supported by arm-chair._] No, I put it on the fire
+instead.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+On the fire! Loevborg's wonderful new book that he read to me at Brack's
+party, when we had that wild revelry last night! Fancy _that_! But, I
+say, Hedda--isn't that _rather_--eh? _Too_ bad, you know--really. A
+great work like that. How on earth did you come to think of it?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Suppressing an almost imperceptible smile._] Well, dear George, you
+gave me a tolerably strong hint.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Me? Well, to be sure--that _is_ a joke! Why, I only said that I envied
+him for writing such a book, and it would put me entirely in the shade
+if it came out, and if anything was to happen to it, I should never
+forgive myself, as poor Loevborg couldn't write it all over again, and so
+we must take the greatest care of it! And then I left it on a chair and
+went away--that was all! And you went and burnt the book all up! Bless
+me, who _would_ have expected it?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Nobody, you dear simple old soul! But I did it for your sake--it was
+_love_, George!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_In an outburst between doubt and joy._] Hedda, you don't mean that!
+Your love takes such queer forms sometimes. Yes, but yes--[_laughing in
+excess of joy_]--why, you _must_ be fond of me! Just think of that now!
+Well, you _are_ fun, Hedda! Look here, I must just run and tell the
+housemaid that--she will enjoy the joke so, eh?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Coldly, in self-command._] It is surely not necessary even for a
+clever Norwegian man of letters in a realistic social drama, to make
+quite such a fool of himself as all that.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+No, that's true too. Perhaps we'd better keep it quiet--though I _must_
+tell Aunt Julie--it will make her so happy to hear that you burnt a
+manuscript on my account! And, besides, I should like to ask her whether
+that's a usual thing with young wives. [_Looks uneasy and pensive
+again._] But poor old Ejlert's manuscript! Oh Lor', you know! Well,
+well!
+
+    [MRS. ELVSTED _comes in._
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Oh, please, I'm so uneasy about dear Mr. Loevborg. Something has happened
+to him, I'm sure!
+
+    [JUDGE BRACK _comes in from the hall, with a new hat in his hand._
+
+BRACK.
+
+You have guessed it, first time. Something _has_!
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Oh, dear, good gracious! What is it? Something distressing, I'm certain
+of it!
+
+    [_Shrieks aloud._
+
+BRACK.
+
+[_Pleasantly._] That depends on how one takes it. He has shot himself,
+and is in a hospital now, that's all!
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_Sympathetically._] That's sad, eh? poor old Loevborg! Well, I _am_ cut
+up to hear that. Fancy, though, eh?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Was it through the temple, or through the breast? The breast? Well, one
+can do it beautifully through the breast, too. Do you know, as an
+advanced woman, I like an act of that sort--it's so positive to have the
+courage to settle the account with himself--it's beautiful, really!
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Oh, Hedda, what an odd way to look at it! But never mind poor dear Mr.
+Loevborg now. What _we've_ got to do is to see if we can't put his
+wonderful manuscript, that he said he had torn to pieces, together
+again. [_Takes a bundle of small pages out of the pocket of her
+mantle._] There are the loose scraps he dictated it to me from. I hid
+them on the chance of some such emergency. And if dear Mr. Tesman and I
+were to put our heads together, I _do_ think something might come of it.
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Fancy! I will dedicate my life--or all I can spare of it--to the task. I
+seem to feel I owe him some slight amends, perhaps. No use crying over
+spilt milk, eh, Mrs. Elvsted? We'll sit down--just you and I--in the
+back drawing-room, and see if you can't inspire me as you did him, eh?
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Oh, goodness, yes! I should like it--if it only might be possible!
+
+    [GEORGE _and_ MRS. ELVSTED _go into the back drawing-room and become
+    absorbed in eager conversation_; HEDDA _sits in a chair in the
+    front room, and a little later_ BRACK _crosses over to her_
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_In a low tone._] Oh, Judge, _what_ a relief to know that
+everything--including Loevborg's pistol--went off so well! In the breast!
+Isn't there a veil of unintentional beauty in that? Such an act of
+voluntary courage, too!
+
+BRACK.
+
+[_Smiles._] H'm!--perhaps, dear Mrs. Hedda----
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Enthusiastically._] But _wasn't_ it sweet of him! To have the courage
+to live his own life after his own fashion--to break away from the
+banquet of life--_so_ early and _so_ drunk! A beautiful act like that
+_does_ appeal to a superior woman's imagination!
+
+BRACK.
+
+Sorry to shatter your poetical illusions, little Mrs. Hedda, but, as a
+matter of fact, our lamented friend met his end under other
+circumstances. The shot did _not_ strike him in the _breast_--but----
+
+    [_Pauses._
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Excitedly._] General Gabler's pistols! I might have known it! Did they
+_ever_ shoot straight? Where _was_ he hit, then?
+
+BRACK.
+
+[_In a discreet undertone._] A little lower down!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Oh, _how_ disgusting!--how vulgar!--how ridiculous!--like everything
+else about me!
+
+BRACK.
+
+Yes, we're realistic types of human nature, and all that--but a trifle
+squalid, perhaps. And why did you give Loevborg your pistol, when it was
+certain to be traced by the police? For a charming cold-blooded woman
+with a clear head and no scruples, wasn't it just a leetle foolish!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Perhaps; but I wanted him to do it beautifully, and he didn't! Oh, I've
+just admitted that I _did_ give him the pistol--how annoyingly unwise of
+me! Now I'm in _your_ power, I suppose?
+
+BRACK.
+
+Precisely--for some reason it's not easy to understand. But it's
+inevitable, and you know how you dread anything approaching scandal. All
+your past proceedings show that. [_To_ GEORGE _and_ MRS. ELVSTED _who
+come in together from the back-room._] Well, how are you getting on with
+the reconstruction of poor Loevborg's great work, eh?
+
+GEORGE.
+
+Capitally; we've made out the first two parts already. And really,
+Hedda, I do believe Mrs. Elvsted _is_ inspiring me; I begin to feel it
+coming on. Fancy that!
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+Yes, goodness! Hedda, _won't_ it be lovely if I can. I mean to try _so_
+hard!
+
+HEDDA.
+
+Do, you dear little silly rabbit; and while you are trying I will go
+into the back drawing-room and lie down.
+
+    [_She goes into the back room and draws the curtains. Short pause.
+    Suddenly she is heard playing_ "The Bogie Man" _within on the
+    piano._
+
+GEORGE.
+
+But, dearest Hedda, don't play "_The Bogie Man_" this evening. As one of
+my aunts is dead, and poor old Loevborg has shot himself, it seems just a
+little pointed, eh?
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Puts her head out between the curtains._] All right.
+
+I'll be quiet after this. I'm going to practise with the late General
+Gabler's pistol!
+
+    [_Closes the curtains again;_ GEORGE _gets behind the stove_, JUDGE
+    BRACK _under the table, and_ MRS. ELVSTED _under the sofa. A shot
+    is heard within._
+
+GEORGE.
+
+[_Behind the stove._] Eh, look here, I tell you what--she's hit me!
+Think of that!
+
+    [_His legs are visibly agitated for a short time. Another shot is
+      heard._
+
+MRS. ELVSTED.
+
+[_Under the sofa._] Oh, please, not me! Oh, goodness, now I can't
+inspire anybody any more. Oh!
+
+    [_Her feet, which can be seen under the valance, quiver a little and
+    then are suddenly still._
+
+BRACK.
+
+[_Vivaciously, from under the table._] I say, Mrs. Hedda, I'm coming in
+every evening--we will have great fun here togeth----[_Another shot is
+heard._] Bless me! to bring down the poor old cock-of-the-walk--it's
+unsportsmanlike!--people don't _do_ such things as that!
+
+    [_The table-cloth is violently agitated for a minute, and presently
+    the curtains open, and_ HEDDA _appears._
+
+HEDDA.
+
+[_Clearly and firmly._] I've been trying in there to shoot myself
+beautifully--but with General Gabler's pistol--[_She lifts the
+table-cloth, then looks behind the stove and under the sofa._] What! the
+accounts of all those everlasting bores settled? Then my suicide becomes
+unnecessary. Yes, I feel the courage of life once more!
+
+    [_She goes into the back-room and plays_ "The Funeral March of a
+    Marionette" _as the Curtain falls._]
+
+[Illustration: "What! the accounts of all those everlasting bores
+settled?"]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE WILD DUCK
+
+ACT FIRST
+
+_At_ WERLE'S _house. In front a richly-upholstered study._ (R.) _A
+  green baize door leading to_ WERLE'S _office. At back, open
+  folding doors, revealing an elegant dining-room, in which a
+  brilliant Norwegian dinner-party is going on. Hired Waiters in
+  profusion. A glass is tapped with a knife. Shouts of "Bravo!" Old
+  Mr._ WERLE _is heard making a long speech, proposing--according to
+  the custom of Norwegian society on such occasions--the health of
+  his House-keeper, Mrs._ SOeRBY. _Presently several short-sighted,
+  flabby, and thin-haired_ CHAMBERLAINS _enter from the dining-room
+  with_ HIALMAR EKDAL, _who writhes shyly under their remarks._
+
+A CHAMBERLAIN.
+
+As we are the sole surviving specimens of Norwegian nobility, suppose we
+sustain our reputation as aristocratic sparklers by enlarging upon the
+enormous amount we have eaten, and chaffing Hialmar Ekdal, the friend of
+our host's son, for being a professional photographer?
+
+THE OTHER CHAMBERLAINS.
+
+Bravo! We will.
+
+    [_They do; delight of_ HIALMAR. OLD WERLE _comes in, leaning on his
+    Housekeeper's arm, followed by his son,_ GREGERS WERLE.
+
+OLD WERLE.
+
+[_Dejectedly._] Thirteen at table! [_To_ GREGERS, _with a meaning glance
+at_ HIALMAR.] This is the result of inviting an old college friend who
+has turned photographer! Wasting vintage wines on _him_, indeed. [_He
+passes on gloomily._
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_To_ GREGERS.] I am almost sorry I came. Your old man is _not_
+friendly. Yet he set me up as a photographer fifteen years ago. _Now_ he
+takes me down! But for him, I should never have married Gina, who, you
+may remember, was a servant in your family once.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+What? my old college friend married fifteen years ago--and to our Gina,
+of all people! If I had not been up at the works all these years, I
+suppose I should have heard something of such an event. But my father
+never mentioned it. Odd!
+
+    [_He ponders_; OLD EKDAL _comes out through the green baize-door,
+    bowing, and begging pardon, carrying copying work_. OLD WERLE
+    _says "Ugh" and "Pah" involuntarily._ HIALMAR _shrinks back, and
+    looks another way. A_ CHAMBERLAIN _asks him pleasantly if he knows
+    that old man._
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+I--oh no. Not in the least. No relation!
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_Shocked._] What, Hialmar, you, with your great soul, deny your own
+father!
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Vehemently._] Of course--what else _can_ a photographer do with a
+disreputable old parent, who has been in a penitentiary for making a
+fraudulent map? I shall leave this splendid banquet. The Chamberlains
+are not kind to me, and I feel the crushing hand of fate on my head!
+
+    [_Goes out hastily, feeling it._
+
+MRS. SOeRBY.
+
+[_Archly._] Any nobleman here say "Cold Punch"?
+
+    [_Every nobleman says "Cold Punch" and follows her out in search of
+    it with enthusiasm._ GREGERS _approaches his father, who wishes he
+    would go_.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+Father, a word with you in private. I loathe you. I am nothing if not
+candid. Old Ekdal was your partner once, and it's my firm belief you
+deserved a prison quite as much as he did. However, you surely need not
+have married our Gina to my old friend Hialmar. You know very well she
+was no better than she should have been!
+
+[Illustration:
+
+"Father, a word with you in private: I loathe you." ]
+
+OLD WERLE.
+
+True--but then no more is Mrs. Soerby. And _I_ am going to marry
+_her_--if you have no objection, that is.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+None in the world! How can I object to a step-mother who is playing
+Blind Man's Buff at the present moment with the Norwegian nobility? I am
+not so overstrained as all that. But really I can_not_ allow my old
+friend Hialmar, with his great, confiding, childlike mind, to remain in
+contented ignorance of Gina's past. No, I see my mission in life at
+last! I shall take my hat, and inform him that his home is built upon a
+lie. He will be _so_ much obliged to me!
+
+    [_Takes his hat, and goes out._
+
+OLD WERLE.
+
+Ha!--I am a wealthy merchant, of dubious morals, and I am about to marry
+my house-keeper, who is on intimate terms with the Norwegian
+aristocracy. I have a son who loathes me, and who is either an Ibsenian
+satire on the Master's own ideals, or else an utterly impossible prig--I
+don't know or care which. Altogether, I flatter myself my household
+affords an accurate and realistic picture of Scandinavian Society!
+
+    [_Curtain._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT SECOND
+
+HIALMAR EKDAL'S _Photographic Studio. Cameras, neck-rests, and other
+  instruments of torture lying about._ GINA EKDAL _and_ HEDVIG, _her
+  daughter, aged 14, and wearing spectacles, discovered sitting up
+  for_ HIALMAR.
+
+HEDVIG.
+
+Grandpapa is in his room with a bottle of brandy and a jug of hot water,
+doing some fresh copying work. Father is in society, dining out. He
+promised he would bring me home something nice!
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Coming in, in evening dress._] And he has not forgotten his promise,
+my child. Behold! [_He presents her with the menu card_; HEDVIG _gulps
+down her tears_; HIALMAR _notices her disappointment, with annoyance_.]
+And this all the gratitude I get! After dining out and coming home in a
+dress-coat and boots, which are disgracefully tight! Well well, just to
+show you how hurt I am, I won't have any _beer_ now! What a selfish
+brute I am! [_Relenting._] You may bring me just a little drop. [_He
+bursts into tears._] I will play you a plaintive Bohemian dance on my
+flute. [_He does._] No beer at such a sacred moment as this! [_He
+drinks._] Ha, this is real domestic bliss!
+
+    [GREGERS WERLE _comes in, in a countrified suit_.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+I have left my father's home--dinner-party and all--for ever. I am
+coming to lodge with you.
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Still melancholy._] Have some bread and butter. You won't?--then I
+_will_. I want it, after your father's lavish hospitality. [HEDVIG
+_goes to fetch bread and butter_.] My daughter--a poor short-sighted
+little thing--but mine own.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+My father has had to take to strong glasses, too--he can hardly see
+after dinner. [_To_ OLD EKDAL, _who stumbles in very drunk_.] How can
+you, Lieutenant Ekdal, who were such a keen sportsman once, live in this
+poky little hole?
+
+OLD EKDAL.
+
+I am a sportsman still. The only difference is that once I shot bears in
+a forest, and now I pot tame rabbits in a garret. Quite as amusing--and
+safer. [_He goes to sleep on a sofa._
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_With pride._] It is quite true. You shall see.
+
+    [_He pushes back sliding doors, and reveals a garret full of
+    rabbits and poultry--moonlight effect._ HEDVIG _returns with
+    bread and butter_.
+
+HEDVIG.
+
+[_To_ GREGERS.] If you stand just there, you get the best view of our
+Wild Duck. We are very proud of her, because she gives the play its
+title, you know, and has to be brought into the dialogue a good deal.
+Your father peppered her out shooting, and we saved her life.
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+Yes, Gregers, our estate is not large--but still we preserve, you see.
+And my poor old father and I sometimes get a day's gunning in the
+garret. He shoots with a pistol, which my illiterate wife here _will_
+call a "pigstol." He once, when he got into trouble, pointed it at
+himself. But the descendant of two lieutenant-colonels who had never
+quailed before living rabbit yet, faltered then. He _didn't_ shoot. Then
+I put it to my own head. But at the decisive moment, I won the victory
+over myself. I remained in life. Now we only shoot rabbits and fowls
+with it. After all I am very happy and contented as I am.
+
+    [_He eats some bread and butter._
+
+GREGERS.
+
+But you ought _not_ to be. You have a good deal of the Wild Duck about
+you. So have your wife and daughter. You are living in marsh vapours.
+Tomorrow I will take you out for a walk and explain what I mean. It is
+my mission in life. Good night!
+
+    [_He goes out._
+
+GINA AND HEDVIG.
+
+What _was_ the gentleman talking about, father?
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Eating bread and butter._] He has been dining, you know. No
+matter--what _we_ have to do now, is to put my disreputable old
+whitehaired pariah of a parent to bed.
+
+    [_He and_ GINA _lift_ OLD ECCLES--_we mean_ OLD EKDAL--_up by the
+    legs and arms, and take him off to bed as the Curtain falls_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT THREE
+
+HIALMAR'S _Studio. A photograph has just been taken._ GINA _and_
+  HEDVIG _are tidying up._
+
+GINA.
+
+[_Apologetically._] There _should_ have been a luncheon-party in this
+act, with Dr. Relling and Moelvik, who would have been in a state of
+comic "chippiness," after his excesses overnight. But, as it hadn't much
+to do with such plot as there is, we cut it out. It came cheaper. Here
+comes your father back from his walk with that lunatic, young Werle--you
+had better go and play with the Wild Duck.
+
+    [HEDVIG _goes_.
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Coming in._] I have been for a walk with Gregers; he meant well--but
+it was tiring. Gina, he has told me that, fifteen years ago, before I
+married you, you were rather a Wild Duck, so to speak. [_Severely._] Why
+haven't you been writhing in penitence and remorse all these years, eh?
+
+GINA.
+
+[_Sensibly._] Why? Because I have had other things to do. _You_ wouldn't
+take any photographs, so I _had_ to.
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+All the same--it was a swamp of deceit. And where am I to find
+elasticity of spirit to bring out my grand invention now? I used to shut
+myself up in the parlour, and ponder and cry, when I thought that the
+effort of inventing anything would sap my vitality. [_Pathetically._] I
+_did_ want to leave you an inventor's widow; but I never shall now,
+particularly as I haven't made up my mind what to invent yet. Yes, it's
+all over. Rabbits are trash, and even poultry palls. And I'll wring that
+cursed Wild Duck's neck!
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_Coming in beaming._] Well, so you've got it over. _Wasn't_ it soothing
+and ennobling, eh? and _ain't_ you both obliged to me?
+
+GINA.
+
+No; it's my opinion you'd better have minded your own business.
+
+    [_Weeps._
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_In great surprise._] Bless me! Pardon my Norwegian _naivete_, but this
+ought really to be quite a new starting-point. Why, I confidently
+expected to have found you both beaming!--Mrs. Ekdal, being so
+illiterate, may take some little time to see it--but you, Hialmar, with
+your deep mind, surely _you_ feel a new consecration, eh?
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Dubiously._] Oh--er--yes. I suppose so--in a sort of way.
+
+    [HEDVIG _runs in, overjoyed._
+
+HEDVIG.
+
+Father, only see what Mrs. Soerby has given me for a birthday present--a
+beautiful deed of gift! [_Shows it._
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Eluding her._] Ha! Mrs. Soerby, the family house-keeper. My father's
+sight failing! Hedvig in goggles! What vistas of heredity these
+astonishing coincidences open up! _I_ am not short-sighted, at all
+events, and I see it all--all! _This_ is my answer. [_He takes the deed,
+and tears it across._] Now I have nothing more to do in this house.
+[_Puts on overcoat._] My home has fallen in ruins about me. [_Bursts
+into tears._] My hat!
+
+GREGERS.
+
+Oh, but you _mustn't_ go. You must be all three together, to attain the
+true frame of mind for self-sacrificing forgiveness, you know!
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+Self-sacrificing forgiveness be blowed!
+
+    [_He tears himself away, and goes out._
+
+HEDVIG.
+
+[_With despairing eyes._] Oh, he said it might be blowed! Now he'll
+_never_ come home any more!
+
+GREGERS.
+
+Shall I tell you how to regain your father's confidence, and bring him
+home surely? Sacrifice the Wild Duck.
+
+HEDVIG.
+
+Do you think that will do any good?
+
+GREGERS.
+
+You just _try_ it!
+
+    [_Curtain._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT FOURTH
+
+_Same Scene._ GREGERS _enters, and finds_ GINA _retouching photographs_.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_Pleasantly._] Hialmar not come in yet, after last night, I suppose?
+
+GINA.
+
+Not he! He's been out on the loose all night with Relling and Moelvik.
+Now he's snoring on their sofa.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_Disappointed._] Dear!--dear!--when he ought to be yearning to wrestle
+in solitude and self-examination!
+
+GINA.
+
+[_Rudely._] Self-examine your grandmother!
+
+    [_She goes out_; HEDVIG _comes in_.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_To_ HEDVIG.] Ah, I see you haven't found courage to settle the Wild
+Duck yet!
+
+HEDVIG.
+
+No--it seemed such a delightful idea at first. Now it strikes me as a
+trifle--well, _Ibsenish_.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_Reprovingly._] I _thought_ you hadn't grown up quite unharmed in this
+house! But if you really had the true, joyous spirit of self-sacrifice,
+you'd have a shot at that Wild Duck, if you died for it!
+
+HEDVIG.
+
+[_Slowly._] I see; you mean that my constitution's changing, and I ought
+to behave as such?
+
+GREGERS.
+
+Exactly, I'm what Americans would term a "crank"--but _I_ believe in
+you, Hedvig.
+
+    [HEDVIG _takes down the pistol from the mantelpiece, and goes into
+    the garret with flashing eyes_; GINA _comes in_.
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Looking in at door with hesitation; he is unwashed and dishevelled._]
+Has anybody happened to see my hat?
+
+GINA.
+
+Gracious, what a sight you are! Sit down and have some breakfast, do.
+
+    [_She brings it._
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Indignantly._] What! touch food under _this_ roof? Never! [_Helps
+himself to bread-and-butter and coffee._] Go and pack up my scientific
+uncut books, my manuscripts, and all the best rabbits, in my
+portmanteau. I am going away for ever. On second thoughts, I shall stay
+in the spare room for another day or two--it won't be the same as living
+with you!
+
+    [_He takes some salt meat._
+
+GREGERS.
+
+_Must_ you go? Just when you've got nice firm ground to build
+upon--thanks to me! Then there's your great invention, too.
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+Everything's invented already. And I only cared about my invention
+because, although it doesn't exist yet, I thought Hedvig believed in it,
+with all the strength of her sweet little short-sighted eyes! But now I
+don't believe in Hedvig!
+
+    [_He pours himself out another cup of coffee._
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_Earnestly._] But, Hialmar, if I can prove to you that she is ready to
+sacrifice her cherished Wild Duck? See!
+
+    [_He pushes back sliding-door, and discovers_ HEDVIG _aiming at the_
+    Wild Duck _with the butt-end of the pistol. Tableau._
+
+GINA.
+
+[_Excitedly._] But don't you _see_? It's the pigstol--that fatal
+Norwegian weapon which, in Ibsenian dramas, _never_ shoots straight! And
+she has got it by the wrong end too. She will shoot herself!
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_Quietly._] She will! Let the child make amends. It will be a most
+realistic and impressive finale!
+
+GINA.
+
+No, no--put down the pigstol, Hedvig. Do you hear, child?
+
+HEDVIG.
+
+[_Still aiming._] I hear--but I shan't unless father tells me to.
+
+GREGERS.
+
+Hialmar, show the great soul I always _said_ you had. This sorrow will
+set free what is noble in you. Don't spoil a fine situation. Be a man!
+Let the child shoot herself!
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Irresolutely._] Well, really, I don't know. There's a good deal in
+what Gregers says. H'm!
+
+GINA.
+
+A good deal of tomfool rubbish! I'm illiterate, I know. I've been a Wild
+Duck in my time, and I waddle. But for all that, I'm the only person in
+the play with a grain of common-sense. And I'm sure--whatever Mr. Ibsen
+or Gregers choose to say--that a screaming burlesque like this ought
+_not_ to end like a tragedy--even in this queer Norway of ours! And it
+shan't, either! Tell the child to put that nasty pigstol down, and come
+away--do!
+
+[Illustration: "Put that nasty pigstol down!"]
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+[_Yielding._] Ah, well, I am a farcical character myself, after all.
+Don't touch a hair of that duck's head, Hedvig. Come to my arms and all
+shall be forgiven!
+
+    [HEDVIG _throws down the pistol--which goes off and kills a rabbit--and
+    rushes into her father's arms_. Old EKDAL _comes out of a corner
+    with a fowl on each shoulder, and bursts into tears. Affecting
+    family picture._
+
+GREGERS.
+
+[_Annoyed._] It's all very pretty, I dare say--but it's not Ibsen! My
+real mission is to be the thirteenth at table. I don't know what I
+mean--but I fly to fulfil it! [_He goes._
+
+HIALMAR.
+
+And now we've got rid of _him_, Hedvig, fetch me the deed of gift I tore
+up, and a slip of paper, and a penny bottle of gum, and we'll soon make
+a valid instrument of it again.
+
+    [_He pastes the torn deed together as the Curtain slowly descends._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+PILL-DOCTOR HERDAL
+
+[PREFATORY NOTE.--The original title--_Mester-Pjil-droegster
+Herdal_--would sound a trifle too uncouth to the Philistine ear, and is
+therefore modified as above, although the term "droegster," strictly
+speaking, denotes a practitioner who has not received a regular
+diploma].
+
+ACT FIRST
+
+_An elegantly furnished drawing-room at_ Dr. HERDAL'S. _In front, on
+  the left, a console-table, on which is a large round bottle full
+  of coloured water. On the right a stove, with a banner-screen made
+  out of a richly-embroidered chest-protector. On the stove, a
+  stethoscope and a small galvanic battery. In one corner, a hat and
+  umbrella stand: in another, a desk, at which stands_ SENNA BLAKDRAF,
+  _making out the quarterly accounts. Through a glass-door at the
+  back is seen the Dispensary, where_ RUeBUB KALOMEL _is seated,
+  occupied in rolling a pill. Both go on working in perfect silence
+  for four minutes and a half._
+
+DR. HAUSTUS HERDAL.
+
+[_Enters through hall-door; he is elderly, with a plain sensible
+countenance, but slightly weak hair and expression._] Come here Miss
+Blakdraf. [_Hangs up hat, and throws his mackintosh on a divan._] Have
+you made out all those bills yet?
+
+    [_Looks sternly at her._
+
+SENNA.
+
+[_In a low hesitating voice._] Almost. I have charged each patient with
+three attendances daily. Even when you only dropped in for a cup of tea
+and a chat. [_Passionately._] I felt I _must_--I _must_!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Alters his tone, clasps her head in his hands, and whispers._] I wish
+you could make out the bills for me, _always_.
+
+SENNA.
+
+[_In nervous exaltation._] How lovely that would be! Oh, you are so
+unspeakably good to me! It is too enthralling to be here!
+
+    [_Sinks down and embraces his knees._
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+So I've understood. [_With suppressed irritation._] For goodness' sake,
+let go my legs! I do _wish_ you wouldn't be so confoundedly neurotic!
+
+[Illustration: "For goodness' sake, let go my legs!"]
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+[_Has risen, and comes in through glass-door, breathing with difficulty;
+he is a prematurely bald young man of fifty-five, with a harelip, and
+squints slightly._] I beg pardon, Dr. Herdal, I see I interrupt you.
+[_As_ SENNA _rises_.] I have just completed this pill. Have you looked
+at it?
+
+    [_He offers it for inspection, diffidently._
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Evasively._] It appears to be a pill of the usual dimensions.
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+[_Cast down._] All these years you have never given me one encouraging
+word! _Can't_ you praise my pill?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Struggles with himself._] I--I cannot. You should not attempt to
+compound pills on your own account.
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+[_Breathing laboriously._] And yet there was a time when _you_, too----
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Complacently._] Yes, it was certainly a pill that came as a lucky
+stepping stone--but not a pill like that!
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+[_Vehemently._] Listen! Is that your last word? _Is_ my aged mother to
+pass out of this world without ever knowing whether I am competent to
+construct an effective pill or not?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_As if in desperation._] You had better try it upon your mother--it
+will enable her to form an opinion. Only mind--I will not be responsible
+for the result.
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+I understand. Exactly as you tried _your_ pill, all those years ago,
+upon Dr. Ryval.
+
+    [_He bows and goes out._
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Uneasily._] He said that so strangely, Senna. But tell me now--when
+are you going to marry him?
+
+SENNA.
+
+[_Starts--half glancing up at him._] I--I don't know. This year--next
+year--now--_never_! I cannot marry him ... I cannot--I _cannot_--it is
+so utterly impossible to leave you!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Yes, I can understand _that_. But, my poor Senna, hadn't you better take
+a little walk?
+
+SENNA.
+
+[_Clasps her hands gratefully._] How sweet and thoughtful you are to me!
+I _will_ take a walk.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_With a suppressed smile._] Do! And--h'm!--you needn't trouble to come
+back. I have advertised for a male book-keeper--they are less emotional.
+Good-night, my little Senna!
+
+SENNA.
+
+[_Softly and quiveringly._] Good-night, Dr. Herdal!
+
+    [_Staggers out of hall-door, blowing kisses._
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+[_Enters through the window, plaintively._] Quite an acquisition for
+you, Haustus, this Miss Blakdraf!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+She's--h'm--extremely civil and obliging. But I am parting with her,
+Aline--mainly on _your_ account.
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+[_Evades him._] Was it on my account, indeed, Haustus? You have parted
+with so many young persons on my account--so you tell me!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Depressed._] Oh, but this is hopeless! When I have tried so hard to
+bring a ray of sunlight into your desolate life! I must give Ruebub
+Kalomel notice too--his pill is really too preposterous!
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+[_Feels gropingly for a chair, and sits down on the floor._] Him, _too_!
+Ah, Haustus, you will never make my home a real home for me. My poor
+first husband, Halvard Solness, tried--and _he_ couldn't! When one has
+had such misfortunes as I have--all the family portraits burnt, and the
+silk dresses, too, and a pair of twins, and nine lovely dolls.
+
+    [_Chokes with tears._
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_As if to lead her away from the subject._] Yes, yes, yes, that must
+have been a heavy blow for you, my poor Aline. I can understand that
+your spirits can never be really high again. And then for poor Master
+Builder Solness to be so taken up with that Miss Wangel as he was--that,
+too, was so wretched for you. To see him topple off the tower, as he did
+that day ten years ago----
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+Yes, that too, Haustus. But I did not mind it so much--it all seemed so
+perfectly natural in both of them.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Natural! For a girl of twenty three to taunt a middle-aged architect,
+whom she knew to be constitutionally liable to giddiness, never to let
+him have any peace till he had climbed a spire as dizzy as himself--and
+all for the fun of seeing him fall off--how in the world----!
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+[_Laying the table for supper with dried fish and punch._] The younger
+generation have a keener sense of humour than we elder ones, Haustus,
+and perhaps after all, she was only a perplexing sort of allegory.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Yes, that would explain her to some extent, no doubt. But how _he_ could
+be such an old fool!
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+That Miss Wangel was a strangely fascinating type of girl. Why, even I
+myself----
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Sits down and takes some fish._] Fascinating? Well, goodness knows, I
+couldn't see _that_ at all. [_Seriously._] Has it never struck you,
+Aline, that elderly Norwegians are so deucedly impressionable--mere
+bundles of overstrained nerves, hypersensitive ganglia. Except, of
+course, the Medical Profession.
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+Yes, of course; those in that profession are not so inclined to gangle.
+And when one has succeeded by such a stroke of luck as you have----
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Drinks a glass of punch._] You're right enough there. If I had not
+been called in to prescribe for Dr. Ryval, who used to have the leading
+practice here, I should never have stepped so wonderfully into his
+shoes as I did. [_Changes to a tone of quiet chuckling merriment._] Let
+me tell you a funny story, Aline; it sounds a ludicrous thing--but all
+my good fortune here was based upon a simple little pill. For if Dr.
+Ryval had never taken it----
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+[_Anxiously._] Then you _do_ think it was the pill that caused him
+to----?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+On the contrary; I am perfectly sure the pill had nothing whatever to do
+with it--the inquest made it quite clear that it was really the
+liniment. But don't you see, Aline, what tortures me night and day is
+the thought that it _might_ unconsciously have been the pill which----
+Never to be free from _that_! To have such a thought gnawing and burning
+always--always, like a moral mustard plaster!
+
+    [_He takes more punch._
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+Yes; I suppose there is a poultice of that sort burning on every
+breast--and we must never take it off either--it is our simple duty to
+keep it on. I too, Haustus, am haunted by a fancy that if this Miss
+Wangel were to ring at our bell now----
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+After she has been lost sight of for ten years? She is safe enough in
+some sanatorium, depend upon it. And what if she _did_ come? Do you
+think, my dear good woman, that I--a sensible clear-headed general
+practitioner, who have found out all I know for myself--would let her
+play the deuce with me as she did with poor Halvard? No, general
+practitioners don't _do_ such things--even in Norway!
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+Don't they indeed, Haustus? [_The surgery-bell rings loudly._] Did you
+hear _that_? There she is! I will go and put on my best cap. It is my
+duty to show her _that_ small attention.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Laughing nervously._] Why, what on earth!---- It's the night-bell. It
+is most probably the new book-keeper! [MRS. HERDAL _goes out_; Dr.
+HERDAL _rises with difficulty, and opens the door_.] Goodness
+gracious!--it is that girl, after all!
+
+[HILDA WANGEL _enters through the dispensary door. She wears a divided
+skirt, thick boots, and a Tam o' Shanter with an eagle's wing in it.
+Somewhat freckled. Carries a green tin cylinder slung round her, and a
+rug in a strap. Goes straight up to_ HERDAL, _her eyes sparkling with
+happiness_.] How are you? I've run you down, you see! The ten years are
+up. Isn't it scrumptiously thrilling, to see me like this?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Politely retreating._] It is--very much so--but still I don't in the
+least understand----
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Measures him with a glance._] Oh, you _will_. I have come to be of use
+to you. I've no luggage, and no money. Not that _that_ makes any
+difference. I never _have_. And I've been allured and attracted here.
+You surely know how these things come about?
+
+    [_Throws her arms round him._
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+What the deuce! Miss Wangel, you _mustn't_. I'm a married man! There's
+my wife!
+
+    [MRS. HERDAL _enters_.
+
+HILDA.
+
+As if _that_ mattered--it's only dear, sweet Mrs. Solness. _She_ doesn't
+mind--_do_ you, dear Mrs. Solness?
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+It does not seem to be of much _use_ minding, Miss Wangel. I presume you
+have come to stay?
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_In amused surprise._] Why, of course--what else should I come for? I
+_always_ come to stay, until--h'm!
+
+    [_Nods slowly, and sits down at table._
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Involuntarily._] She's drinking my punch! If she thinks I'm going to
+stand this sort of thing, she's mistaken. I'll soon show her a
+pill-doctor is a very different kind of person from a mere Master
+Builder!
+
+    [HILDA _finishes the punch with an indefinable expression in her
+    eyes, and_ Dr. HERDAL _looks on gloomily as the Curtain falls_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT SECOND
+
+Dr. HERDAL'S _drawing-room and dispensary, as before. It is early in
+  the day._ Dr. HERDAL _sits by the little table, taking his own
+  temperature with a clinical thermometer. By the door stands the_
+  NEW BOOK-KEEPER; _he wears blue spectacles and a discoloured white
+  tie, and seems slightly nervous_.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Well, now you understand what is necessary. My late book-keeper, Miss
+Blakdraf, used to keep my accounts very cleverly--she charged every
+visit twice over.
+
+THE NEW BOOK-KEEPER.
+
+I am familiar with book-keeping by double entry. I was once employed at
+a bank.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+I am discharging my assistant, too; he was always trying to push me out
+with his pills. Perhaps you will be able to dispense?
+
+THE NEW BOOK-KEEPER.
+
+[_Modestly._] With an additional salary, I should be able to do that
+too.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Capital! You _shall_ dispense with an additional salary. Go into the
+dispensary, and see what you can make of it. You may mistake a few drugs
+at first--but everything must have a beginning.
+
+    [_As the_ NEW BOOK-KEEPER _retires_, MRS. HERDAL _enters in a hat and
+    cloak with a watering-pot, noiselessly_.
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+Miss Wangel got up early, before breakfast, and went for a walk. She is
+so wonderfully vivacious!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+So I should say. But tell me, Aline, is she _really_ going to stay with
+us here?
+
+    [_Nervously._
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+[_Looks at him._] So she tells me. And, as she has brought nothing with
+her except a tooth-brush and a powder-puff, I am going into the town to
+get her a few articles. We _must_ make her feel at home.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Breaking out._] I _will_ make her not only _feel_ but _be_ at home,
+wherever that is, this very day! I will _not_ have a perambulating
+Allegory without a portmanteau here on an indefinite visit. I say, she
+shall go--do you hear, Aline? Miss Wangel will go!
+
+    [_Raps with his fist on table._
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+[_Quietly._] If you say so, Haustus, no doubt she will _have_ to go. But
+you must tell her so yourself.
+
+    [_Puts the watering pot on the console table, and goes out, as_ HILDA
+    _enters, sparkling with pleasure._
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Goes up straight to him._] Good morning, Dr. Herdal. I have just seen
+a pig killed. It was _ripping_--I mean, gloriously thrilling! And your
+wife has taken a tremendous fancy to me. Fancy _that_!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Gloomily._] It _is_ eccentric certainly. But my poor dear wife was
+always a little----
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Nods her head slowly several times._] So _you_ have noticed that too?
+I have had a long talk with her. She can't get over your discharging Mr.
+Kalomel--he is the only man who ever _really_ understood her.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+If I could only pay her off a little bit of the huge, immeasurable debt
+I owe her--but I can't!
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Looks hard at him._] Can't _I_ help you? I helped Ragnar Brovik.
+Didn't you know I stayed with him and poor little Kaia--after that
+accident to my Master Builder? I did. I made Ragnar build me the
+loveliest castle in the air--lovelier, even, than poor Mr. Solness's
+would have been--and we stood together on the very top. The steps were
+rather too much for Kaia. Besides, there was no room for her on top. And
+he put towering spires on all his semi-detached villas. Only, somehow,
+they didn't let. Then the castle in the air tumbled down, and Ragnar
+went into liquidation, and I continued my walking-tour.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Interested against his will._] And where did you go after _that_, may
+I ask, Miss Wangel?
+
+HILDA.
+
+Oh, ever so far north. There I met Mr. and Mrs. Tesman--the second Mrs.
+Tesman--she who was Mrs. Elvsted, with the irritating hair, you know.
+They were on their honeymoon, and had just decided that it was
+impossible to reconstruct poor Mr. Loevborg's great book out of Mrs.
+Elvsted's rough notes. But I insisted on George's attempting the
+impossible--with Me. And what _do_ you think Mrs. Tesman wears in her
+hair _now_?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Why, really I could not say. Vine-leaves, perhaps.
+
+HILDA.
+
+Wrong--_straws_! Poor Tesman _didn't_ fancy that--so he shot himself,
+_un_-beautifully, through his ticket-pocket. And I went on and took
+Rosmershoelm for the summer. There had been misfortune in the house, so
+it was to let. Dear good old Rector Kroll acted as my reference; his
+wife and children had no sympathy with his views, so I used to see him
+every day. And I persuaded him, too, to attempt the impossible--he had
+never ridden anything but a rocking-horse in his life, but I made him
+promise to mount the White Horse of Rosmershoelm. He didn't get over
+_that_. They found his body, a fortnight afterwards, in the mill-dam.
+Thrilling!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Shakes his finger at her._] What a girl you are, Miss Wangel! But you
+mustn't play these games _here_, you know.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Laughs to herself._] Of course not. But I suppose I _am_ a strange
+sort of bird.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+You are like a strong tonic. When I look at you I seem to be regarding
+an effervescing saline draught. Still, I really must decline to take
+you.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_A little sulky._] That is not how you spoke ten years ago, up at the
+mountain station, when you were such a flirt!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+_Was_ I a flirt? Deuce take me if I remember. But I am not like that
+_now_.
+
+HILDA.
+
+Then you have really forgotten how you sat next to me at the _table
+d'hote_, and made pills and swallowed them, and were so splendid and
+buoyant and free that all the old women who knitted left next day?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+What a memory you have for trifles, Miss Wangel; it's quite wonderful!
+
+HILDA.
+
+Trifles! There was no trifling on _your_ part. When you promised to come
+back in ten years, like a troll, and fetch me!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Did I say all that? It _must_ have been _after table d'hote_!
+
+HILDA.
+
+It was. I was a mere chit then--only twenty-three; but _I_ remember. And
+now _I_ have come for _you_.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Dear, dear! But there is nothing of the troll about me now I have
+married Mrs. Solness.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Looking sharply at him._] Yes, I remember you were always dropping in
+to tea in those days.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Seems hurt._] Every visit was duly put down in the ledger and charged
+for--as poor little Senna will tell you.
+
+HILDA.
+
+Little Senna? Oh, Dr. Herdal, I believe there is a bit of the troll left
+in you still!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Laughs a little._] No, no; my conscience is perfectly robust--always
+was.
+
+HILDA.
+
+Are you quite _quite_ sure that, when you went indoors with dear Mrs.
+Solness that afternoon, and left me alone with my Master Builder, you
+did not foresee--perhaps wish--intend, even a little, that---- H'm?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+That you would talk the poor man into clambering up that tower? You want
+to drag _Me_ into that business now!
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Teasingly._] Yes, I certainly think that then you went on exactly like
+a troll.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_With uncontrollable emotion._] Hilda, there is not a corner of me safe
+from you! Yes, I see now that _must_ have been the way of it. Then I
+_was_ a troll in that, too! But isn't it terrible the price I have had
+to pay for it? To have a wife who---- No, I shall never roll a pill
+again--never, never!
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Lays her head on the stove, and answers as if half asleep._] No more
+pills? Poor Doctor Herdal!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Bitterly._] No--nothing but cosy commonplace grey powders for a whole
+troop of children.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Lively again._.] Not grey powders! [_Quite seriously._] I will tell
+you what you shall make next. Beautiful rainbow-coloured powders that
+will give one a real grip on the world. Powders to make every one free
+and buoyant, and ready to grasp at one's own happiness, to _dare_ what
+one _would_. I will have you make them. I will--I _will_!
+
+[Illustration: "Beautiful rainbow-coloured powders that will give one a
+real grip on the world!"]
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+H'm! I am not quite sure that I clearly understand. And then the
+ingredients----?
+
+HILDA.
+
+What stupid people all of you pill-doctors are, to be sure! Why, they
+will be _poisons_, of course!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Poisons? Why in the world should they be _that_?
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Without answering him._] All the thrillingest, deadliest poisons--it
+is only such things that are wholesome, nowadays.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_As if caught by her enthusiasm._] And I could colour them, too, by
+exposing them to rays cast through a prism. Oh, Hilda, how I have needed
+you all these years! For, you see, with _her_ it was impossible to
+discuss such things.
+
+    [_Embraces her._
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+[_Enters noiselessly through hall-door._] I suppose, Haustus, you are
+persuading Miss Wangel to start by the afternoon steamer? I have bought
+her a pair of curling-tongs, and a packet of hairpins. The larger
+parcels are coming on presently.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Uneasily._] H'm! Hilda--Miss Wangel I _should_ say--is kindly going to
+stay on a little longer, to assist me in some scientific experiments.
+You wouldn't understand them if I told you.
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+Shouldn't I, Haustus? I daresay not.
+
+    [_The_ NEW BOOK-KEEPER _looks through the glass door of dispensary._
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Starts violently and points--then in a whisper._] Who is _that?_
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Only the new Book-keeper and Assistant--a very intelligent person.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Looks straight in front of her with a far-away expression, and
+whispers to herself._] I thought at first it was.... But no--_that_
+would be _too_ frightfully thrilling!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_To himself._] I'm turning into a regular old troll now--but I can't
+help myself. After all, I am only an elderly Norwegian. We are _made_
+like that.... Rainbow powders--_real_ rainbow powders! With Hilda!...
+Oh, to have the joy of life once more!
+
+    [_Takes his temperature again as Curtain falls_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ACT THIRD
+
+[_On the right, a smart verandah, attached to_ Dr. HERDAL'S
+  _dwelling-house, and communicating with the drawing-room and
+  dispensary by glass doors. On the left a tumble-down rockery, with
+  a headless plaster Mercury. In front, a lawn, with a large
+  silvered glass globe on a stand. Chairs and tables. All the
+  furniture is of galvanised iron. A sunset is seen going on among
+  the trees._
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Comes out of dispensary-door cautiously, and whispers._] Hilda, are
+you in there?
+
+    [_Taps with fingers on drawing-room door._
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Comes out with a half-teasing smile._] Well--and how is the
+rainbow-powder getting on, Dr. Herdal?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_With enthusiasm._] It is getting on simply splendidly. I sent the new
+assistant out to take a little walk, so that he should not be in the
+way. There is arsenic in the powder, Hilda, and digitalis too, and
+strychnine, and the best beetle-killer!
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_With happy, wondering eyes._] _Lots_ of beetle-killer. And you will
+give some of it to _her_, to make her free and buoyant. I think one
+really _has_ the right--when people happen to stand in the way----!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Yes, you may well say so, Hilda. Still--[_dubiously_]--it _does_ occur
+to me that such doings may perhaps be misunderstood--by the
+narrow-minded and conventional. [_They go on the lawn, and sit down._
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_With an outburst._] Oh, that all seems to me so foolish--so
+irrelevant! As if the whole thing wasn't intended as an allegory!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Relieved._] Ah, so long as it is merely _allegorical_, of course----
+But what is it an allegory _of_, Hilda?
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Reflects in vain._] How can you sit there and ask such questions? I
+suppose I am a symbol--of some sort.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_As a thought flashes upon him._] A cymbal? That would certainly
+account for your bra---- Then, am _I_ a cymbal too, Hilda?
+
+HILDA.
+
+Why yes--what else? You represent the artist-worker, or the elder
+generation, or the pursuit of the ideal, or a bilious conscience--or
+something or other. _You're_ all right!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Shakes his head._] Am I? But I don't quite see---- Well, well, cymbals
+are meant to clash a little. And I see plainly now that I ought to
+prescribe this powder for as many as possible. Isn't it terrible, Hilda,
+that so many poor souls never really die their own deaths--pass out of
+the world without even the formality of an inquest? As the district
+Coroner, I feel strongly on the subject.
+
+HILDA.
+
+And, when the Coroner has finished sitting on all the bodies,
+perhaps--but I shan't tell you now. [_Speaks as if to a child._] There,
+run away and finish making the rainbow-powder, do!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Skips up into the dispensary._] I will--I will! Oh, I do feel such a
+troll--such a light-haired, light-headed old devil!
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+[_Enters garden-gate._] I have had my dismissal--but I'm not going
+without saying good-bye to Mrs. Herdal.
+
+HILDA.
+
+Dr. Herdal would disapprove--you really must not, Mr. Kalomel. And,
+besides, Mrs. Herdal is not at home. She is in the town buying me a reel
+of cotton. _Dr._ Herdal is in. He is making real rainbow powders for
+regenerating everybody all round. Won't _that_ be fun?
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+_Making_ powders? Ha! ha! But you will see he won't _take_ one himself.
+It is quite notorious to us younger men that he simply daren't do it.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_With a little snort of contempt._] Oh, I daresay--that's so likely!
+[_Defiantly._] I know he _can_, though. I've _seen_ him!
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+There is a tradition that he once--but not now--he knows better. I think
+you said Mrs. Herdal was in the town? I will go and look for her. I
+understand her so well. [_Goes out by gate._
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Calls._] Dr. Herdal! Come out this minute. I want you--awfully!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Puts his head out._] Just when I am making such wonderful progress
+with the powder. [_Comes down and leans on a table._] Have you hit upon
+some way of giving it to Aline? I thought if you were to put it in her
+arrowroot----?
+
+HILDA.
+
+No, thanks. I won't have that now. I have just recollected that it is a
+rule of mine never to injure anybody I have once been formally
+introduced to. Strangers don't count. No, poor Mrs. Herdal mustn't take
+that powder!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Disappointed._] Then is nothing to come of making rainbow powders,
+after all, Hilda?
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Looks hard at him._] People say you are afraid to take your own
+physic. Is that true?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Yes, I am. [_After a pause--with candour._] I find it invariably
+disagrees with me.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_With a half-dubious smile._] I think I can understand _that_. But you
+did _once_. You swallowed your own pills that day at the _table d'hote_,
+ten years ago. And I heard a harp in the air, too!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Open-mouthed._] I don't think that _could_ have been me. I don't play
+any instrument. And that was quite a special thing, too. It's not every
+day I can do it. Those were only _bread_ pills, Hilda.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_With flashing eyes._] But you rolled them, you took them. And I want
+to see you stand once more free and high and great, swallowing your own
+preparations. [_Passionately._] I _will_ have you do it!
+[_Imploringly._] Just _once_ more, Dr. Herdal!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+If I did, Hilda, my medical knowledge, slight as it is, leads me to the
+conclusion that I should in all probability burst.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Looks deeply into his eyes._] So long as you burst _beautifully_! But
+no doubt that Miss Blakdraf----
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+You must believe in me utterly and entirely. I will do
+anything--_anything_, Hilda, to provide you with agreeable
+entertainment. I _will_ swallow my own powder! [_To himself, as he goes
+gravely up to dispensary._] If only the drugs are sufficiently
+adulterated!
+
+    [_Goes in; as he does so, the_ NEW ASSISTANT _enters the garden in
+    blue spectacles, unseen by_ HILDA, _and follows him, leaving open
+    the glass door._
+
+SENNA.
+
+[_Comes wildly out of drawing-room._] Where is dear Dr. Herdal? Oh, Miss
+Wangel, he has discharged me--but I can't--I simply _can't_ live away
+from that lovely ledger.
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Jubilantly._] At this moment Dr. Herdal is in the dispensary, taking
+one of his own powders.
+
+SENNA.
+
+[_Despairingly._] But--but it is utterly impossible! Miss Wangel, you
+have such a firm hold of him--_don't_ let him do that!
+
+HILDA.
+
+I have already done all I can.
+
+    [RUeBUB _appears, talking confidentially with_ MRS. HERDAL, _at
+    gate._
+
+SENNA.
+
+Oh, Mrs. Herdal, Ruebub! The Pill-Doctor is going to take one of his own
+preparations. Save him--quick!
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+[_With cold politeness._] I am sorry to hear it--for his sake. But it
+would be quite contrary to professional etiquette to prevent him.
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+And I never interfere with my husband's proceedings. I know _my_ duty,
+Miss Blakdraf, if _others_ don't!
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Exulting with great intensity._] At last! Now I see him in there,
+great and free again, mixing the powder in a spoon--with jam!... Now he
+raises the spoon. Higher--higher still! [_A gulp is audible from
+within._] There, didn't you hear a harp in the air? [_Quietly._] I can't
+see the spoon any more. But there is one he is striving with, in blue
+spectacles!
+
+THE NEW ASSISTANT'S VOICE.
+
+[_Within._] The Pill-Doctor Herdal has taken his own powder!
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_As if petrified._] That voice! _Where_ have I heard it before? No
+matter--he has got the powder down! [_Waves a shawl in the air, and
+shrieks with wild jubilation._] It's too awfully thrilling! My--_my_
+Pill-Doctor!
+
+[Illustration: "My, my Pill-doctor!"]
+
+THE NEW ASSISTANT.
+
+[_Comes out on verandah._] I am happy to inform you that--as, to avoid
+accidents, I took the simple precaution of filling all the
+dispensary-jars with camphorated chalk--no serious results may be
+anticipated from Dr. Herdal's rashness. [_Removes spectacles._] Nora,
+don't you know me?
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Reflects._] I really don't remember having the pleasure---- And I'm
+_sure_ I heard a harp in the air!
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+I fancy, Miss Wangel, it must have been merely a bee in your bonnet.
+
+THE NEW ASSISTANT.
+
+[_Tenderly._] Still the same little singing-bird! Oh, Nora, my long-lost
+lark!
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Sulkily._] I'm _not_ a lark--I'm a bird of prey--and when I get my
+claws into anything----!
+
+THE NEW ASSISTANT.
+
+Macaroons, for instance? I remember your tastes of old. See, Nora!
+[_Produces a paper-bag from his coat-tail pocket._] They were fresh this
+morning!
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Wavering._] If you insist on calling me Nora, I think you must be just
+a little mad yourself.
+
+THE NEW ASSISTANT.
+
+We are all a little mad--in Norway. But Torvald Helmer is sane enough
+still to recognise his own little squirrel again! Surely, Nora, your
+education is complete at last--you have gained the experience you
+needed?
+
+HILDA.
+
+[_Nods slowly._] Yes, Torvald, you're right enough _there_. I have
+thought things out for myself, and have got clear about them. And I have
+quite made up my mind that Society and the Law are all wrong, and that I
+am right.
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Overjoyed._] Then you _have_ learnt the Great Lesson, and are fit to
+undertake the charge of your children's education at last! You've no
+notion how they've grown! Yes, Nora, our marriage will be a true
+marriage now. You will come back to the Dolls' House, won't you?
+
+HILDA-NORA-HELMER-WANGEL.
+
+[_Hesitates._] Will you let me forge cheques if I do, Torvald?
+
+HELMER.
+
+[_Ardently._] All day. And at night, Nora, we will falsify the
+accounts--together!
+
+HILDA-NORA-HELMER-WANGEL.
+
+[_Throws herself into his arms, and helps herself to macaroons._] That
+will be fearfully thrilling! My--_my_ Manager!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Comes out very pale, from dispensary._] Hilda I _did_ take the---- I'm
+afraid I interrupt you?
+
+HELMER.
+
+Not in the least. But this lady is my little lark, and she is going
+back to her cage by the next steamer.
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Bitterly._] Am I _never_ to have a gleam of happiness? But stay--do I
+see my little Senna once more?
+
+RUeBUB.
+
+Pardon me--_my_ little Senna. She always believed so firmly in my pill!
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+Well--well. If it must be. Ruebub, I will take you into partnership, and
+we will take out a patent for that pill, jointly. Aline, my poor dear
+Aline, let us try once more if we cannot bring a ray of brightness into
+our cheerless home!
+
+MRS. HERDAL.
+
+Oh, Haustus, if only we _could_--but why do you propose that to
+me--_now_?
+
+DR. HERDAL.
+
+[_Softly--to himself._] Because I have tried being a troll--and found
+that nothing came of it, and it wasn't worth sixpence!
+
+    [HILDA-NORA _goes off to the right with_ HELMER; SENNA _to the left
+    with_ RUeBUB; Dr. HERDAL _and_ MRS. HERDAL _sit on two of the
+    galvanised-iron chairs, and shake their heads disconsolately as the
+    Curtain falls._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  _Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO.
+  _London and Edinburgh._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Caustic satire and kindly humour."--_The Daily Telegraph._
+
+WOMAN--THROUGH A MAN'S EYEGLASS
+
+BY
+
+MALCOLM C. SALAMAN
+
+WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+BY DUDLEY HARDY
+
+"Written with brightness and elegance, and embellished with
+illustrations by Dudley Hardy in his happiest sketchy vein."--_Daily
+Telegraph._
+
+"Shrewd observation and brisk utterances."--_Athenaeum._
+
+"It gratifies curiosity in a manner peculiarly agreeable."--_Queen._
+
+"You will enjoy reading the book."--_Truth._
+
+"Full of good feeling and good sense."--_Daily Chronicle._
+
+_Price Three Shillings and Sixpence_
+
+LONDON: WM. HEINEMANN, 21 BEDFORD STREET, W.C.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+     "Very funny, shrewd, and whimsical."--_Vanity Fair._
+
+
+THE OLD MAIDS' CLUB
+
+BY
+
+I. ZANGWILL
+
+AUTHOR OF
+
+"THE BACHELORS' CLUB," "CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO," "MERELY MARY ANN," "THE
+PREMIER AND THE PAINTER," ETC.
+
+WITH FORTY-FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+BY F. H. TOWNSEND
+
+
+     "Most strongly to be recommended to all classes of
+     readers."--_Athenaeum_.
+
+     "Mr. Zangwill has a very bright and a very original humour, and
+     every page of this closely printed book is full of point and go,
+     and full, too, of a healthy satire that is really humorously
+     applied common sense."--_National Review_.
+
+     "There is excellent fooling in the big book."--_World_.
+
+     "Extremely amusing. The illustrations add greatly to the fun of the
+     book."--_Literary World_.
+
+_Price Three Shillings and Sixpence_
+
+LONDON: WM. HEINEMANN, 21 BEDFORD STREET, W.C.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+NEARLY READY
+
+_FROM WISDOM COURT_
+
+BY
+
+HENRY SETON MERRIMAN
+
+AND
+
+STEPHEN GRAHAM TALLENTYRE
+
+WITH THIRTY ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+BY E. COURBAIN
+
+
+_CONTENTS_
+
+ON A BED OF SICKNESS.--ON MATRIMONY.--ON THE POSTCARD.--ON THE SEA.--ON
+VISITORS.--ON LUCK.--ON UNSELFISHNESS.--ON GOOD WORKS.--ON LOVE.--ON THE
+MUSIC STOOL.--ON PURPOSE.--ON GIRL.--ON SUNDAY MORNING.--ON MEALS.--ON
+HEART.--ON SLEEP.--ON SOCIETIES.--ON LANGUAGE.--ON LEARNING.--ON OUR OWN
+BUSINESS.--ON PLEASURE.--ON OUR BIRTHPLACE.--ON OUR DOGS.--ON BEING
+ENGAGED.--ON LETTERS.--ON CHURCH.--ON COURAGE.--ON HONOUR AND
+GLORY.--THE LAST WORD.
+
+_Price Three Shillings and Sixpence_
+
+LONDON: WM. HEINEMANN, 21 BEDFORD STREET, W.C.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+     "A work of rare humour, a thing of beauty, and a joy for now and
+     ever."--_Punch._
+
+_THE GENTLE ART OF MAKING ENEMIES_
+
+_AS PLEASINGLY EXEMPLIFIED IN MANY INSTANCES, WHEREIN THE SERIOUS ONES
+OF THIS EARTH, CAREFULLY EXASPERATED, HAVE BEEN PRETTILY SPURRED ON TO
+INDISCRETION AND UNSEEMLINESS, WHILE OVERCOME BY AN UNDUE SENSE OF
+RIGHT._
+
+BY
+
+J. M'NEILL WHISTLER
+
+     "The book in itself, in its binding, print, and arrangement, is a
+     work of art."--_Punch._
+
+     "There is no lack of wit, bright and original, in the book; indeed,
+     Mr. Whistler's happy thoughts are often irresistibly comic, the
+     very perfection of flippancy and banter."--_St. James's Gazette._
+
+     "The book is altogether so curious, so dainty in all externals, so
+     absolutely unlike anything that ever before has proceeded from a
+     printing-press."--_Academy._
+
+_Price Ten Shillings and Sixpence_
+
+LONDON: WM. HEINEMANN, 21 BEDFORD STREET, W.C.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  Page 1
+
+    Telegraphic Address:
+
+    _Sunlocks, London._
+
+    _21 BEDFORD STREET, W.C._
+
+    _March 1893._
+
+A LIST OF MR. WILLIAM HEINEMANN'S
+
+PUBLICATIONS AND FORTHCOMING WORKS
+
+_The Books mentioned in this List can be obtained to order by any
+Bookseller if not in stock, or will be sent by the Publisher post free
+on receipt of price._
+
+  Page 2
+
+INDEX OF AUTHORS.             PAGE
+
+Alexander                       13
+Arbuthnot                        8
+Atherton                        13
+Baddeley                         8
+Balestier                    9, 13
+Barrett                          9
+Behrs                            6
+Bendall                         16
+Bjoernson                    11, 14
+Bowen                            5
+Brown                            9
+Brown and Griffiths             16
+Buchanan                 8, 10, 14
+Butler                           5
+Caine                        8, 12
+Caine                           16
+Cambridge                       12
+Chester                          7
+Clarke                          10
+Colomb                           6
+Compayre                         5
+Couperus                        11
+Crackanthorpe                   13
+Davidson                         5
+Dawson                          16
+De Quincey                       7
+Dowson                           9
+Eeden                            4
+Ellwanger                        8
+Ely                              8
+Farrar                           8
+Fitch                            5
+Forbes                           6
+Fothergill                       9
+Franzos                         11
+Frederic                     7, 12
+Garner                           8
+Garnett                          4
+Gaulot                           4
+Gilchrist                       10
+Gore                            16
+Gosse                     4, 7, 10
+Grand                            9
+Gray                             8
+Gray (Maxwell)                   9
+Griffiths                       16
+Hall                            16
+Harland                         13
+Hardy                           12
+Heine                        4,  6
+Henderson                       14
+Howard                          10
+Hughes                           5
+Hungerford               9, 10, 13
+Ibsen                           14
+Irving                          14
+Ingersoll                        9
+Jaeger                        7, 15
+Jeaffreson                       6
+Keeling                         10
+Kimball                         16
+Kipling and Balestier           10
+Lanza                           13
+Le Caron                         6
+Lee                             10
+Leighton                         9
+Leland                          16
+Lie                             11
+Lowe                         6,  7
+Lowry                           10
+Lynch                           13
+Maartens                        10
+Maeterlinck                     14
+Maude                            6
+Mantegazza                       4
+Maupassant                      11
+Maurice                          6
+Merriman                         4
+Michel                           3
+Mitford                         13
+Moore                            9
+Murray                           6
+Norris                           9
+Ouida                           10
+Palacio-Valdes                  11
+Pearce                          10
+Pennell                          7
+Philips                         14
+Phelps                          13
+Pinero                          15
+Rawnsley                         8
+Renan                            7
+Richter                          8
+Riddell                         13
+Rives                           10
+Roberts (C.G.D.)                 9
+Roberts (A. von)                11
+Salaman (M. C.)                  7
+Salaman (J. S.)                  7
+Scudamore                        6
+Serao                           11
+Sergeant                        13
+Sienkiewicz                     11
+Tallentyre                       4
+Tasma                       10, 12
+Terry                            4
+Thurston                        16
+Tolstoy                     11, 14
+Tree                            15
+Valera                          11
+Ward                            13
+Warden                          13
+Waugh                            6
+Weitemeyer                       8
+West                             5
+Whistler                     4,  7
+White                           10
+Whitman                          8
+Williams                         8
+Wood                            10
+Zangwill                     7, 10
+Zola                            13
+
+  Page 3
+
+_In preparation_.
+
+REMBRANDT:
+
+HIS LIFE, HIS WORK, AND HIS TIME.
+
+BY
+
+EMILE MICHEL,
+
+_MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE._
+
+EDITED AND PREFACED BY
+
+FREDERICK WEDMORE.
+
+
+Nothing need be said in justification of a comprehensive book upon the
+life and work of Rembrandt. A classic among classics, he is also a
+modern of moderns. His works are to-day more sought after and better
+paid for than ever before; he is now at the zenith of a fame which can
+hardly decline.
+
+The author of this work is perhaps, of all living authorities on
+Rembrandt, the one who has had the largest experience, the best
+opportunity of knowing all that can be known of the master.
+
+The latest inventions in photogravure and process-engraving have enabled
+the publisher to reproduce almost everything that is accessible in the
+public galleries of Europe, as well as most of the numerous private
+collections containing specimens of Rembrandt's work in England and on
+the Continent.
+
+This work will be published in two volumes 4to, each containing over 300
+pages. There will be over 30 photogravures, about 40 coloured
+reproductions of paintings and chalk drawings, and 250 illustrations in
+the text.
+
+Two Editions will be printed--one on Japanese vellum, limited to 200
+numbered copies (for England and America), with duplicates of the plates
+on India paper, price _L10 10s._ net. The ordinary edition will be
+published at _L2 2s._ net.
+
+An illustrated prospectus is now ready and may be had on application.
+Orders will be received by all booksellers, in town and country.
+
+  Page 4
+
+FORTHCOMING WORKS.
+
+QUESTIONS AT ISSUE. Essays. By EDMUND GOSSE. In One Volume, crown 8vo
+(uniform with "Gossip in a Library").
+
+A FRIEND OF THE QUEEN. Being Correspondence between Marie Antoinette and
+Monsieur de Fersen. By PAUL GAULOT. In One Volume, 8vo.
+
+FROM WISDOM COURT. By HENRY SETON MERRIMAN and STEVEN GRAHAM TALLENTYRE.
+With 50 Illustrations by E. COURBOIN. In One Volume, crown 8vo (uniform
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+
+THE ART OF TAKING A WIFE. By Professor MANTEGAZZA. Translated from the
+Italian. In One Volume. Crown 8vo.
+
+THE SALON; or Letters on Art, Music, Popular Life, and Politics. By
+HEINRICH HEINE. Translated by CHARLES GODFREY LELAND. Crown 8vo (Heine's
+Works, Vol. 4).
+
+THE BOOK OF SONGS. By HEINRICH HEINE. Translated by CHARLES GODFREY
+LELAND. Crown 8vo (Heine's Works, Vol. 9).
+
+THE WORKS OF HEINRICH HEINE. Large Paper Edition, limited to 100
+Numbered Copies. Price 15s. per volume net, sold only to subscribers for
+the complete work. Vols. I. II. and III. are now ready.
+
+LIFE OF HEINRICH HEINE. By RICHARD GARNETT, LL.D. With Portrait. Crown
+8vo (uniform with the translation of Heine's Works).
+
+LITTLE JOHANNES. By FREDERICK VAN EEDEN. Translated from the Dutch by
+CLARA BELL. With an Introduction by ANDREW LANG. Illustrated.
+
+*** _Also a Large Paper Edition._
+
+STRAY MEMORIES. By ELLEN TERRY. In one volume. 4to. Illustrated.
+
+SONGS ON STONE. By J. MCNEILL WHISTLER. A series of lithographic
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+
+_There will also be issued 50 copies on Japanese paper, signed by the
+artist, each Five Guineas net._
+
+  Page 5
+
+THE GREAT EDUCATORS.
+
+_A Series of Volumes by Eminent Writers, presenting in their entirety "A
+Biographical History of Education."_
+
+     _The Times._--"A Series of Monographs on 'The Great Educators'
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+
+     _The Speaker._--"There is a promising sound about the title of Mr.
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+     allay the hunger and thirst for knowledge and culture of the vast
+     multitude of young men and maidens which our educational system
+     turns out yearly, provided at least with an appetite for
+     instruction."
+
+Each subject will form a complete volume, crown 8vo, 5s.
+
+_Now ready._
+
+ARISTOTLE, and the Ancient Educational Ideals. THOMAS DAVIDSON, M.A.,
+LL.D.
+
+     _The Times._--"A very readable sketch of a very interesting
+     subject."
+
+LOYOLA, and the Educational System of the Jesuits. By Rev. THOMAS
+HUGHES, S.J.
+
+     _Saturday Review._--"Full of valuable information.... If a
+     schoolmaster would learn how the education of the young can be
+     carried on so as to confer real dignity on those engaged in it, we
+     recommend him to read Mr. Hughes' book."
+
+ALCUIN, and the Rise of the Christian Schools. By Professor ANDREW F.
+WEST, Ph.D.
+
+FROEBEL, and Education by Self-Activity. By H. COURTHOPE BOWEN, M.A.
+
+ABELARD, and the Origin and Early History of Universities. By JULES
+GABRIEL COMPAYRE, Professor in the Faculty of Toulouse.
+
+
+_In preparation_.
+
+ROUSSEAU; or, Education according to Nature.
+
+HERBART; or, Modern German Education.
+
+PESTALOZZI; or, the Friend and Student of Children
+
+HORACE MANN, and Public Education in the United States. By NICHOLAS
+MURRAY BUTLER, Ph.D.
+
+BELL, LANCASTER, and ARNOLD; or, the English Education of To-Day. By J.
+D. FITCH, LL.D., Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools.
+
+_Others to follow._
+
+  Page 6
+
+VICTORIA: Queen and Empress. By JOHN CORDY JEAFFRESON, Author of "The
+Real Lord Byron," &c. In Two Volumes, 8vo. With Portraits. _L1 10s._
+
+ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON: a Study of his Life and Work. By ARTHUR WAUGH,
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+TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE SECRET SERVICE. The Recollections of a Spy. By
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+RECOLLECTIONS OF COUNT LEO TOLSTOY. Together with a Letter to the Women
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+Russian by C. E. TURNER, English Lecturer in the University of St.
+Petersburg. In One Volume, 8vo. With Portrait. _10s. 6d._
+
+THE GREAT WAR IN 189--. A Forecast. By Rear-Admiral COLOMB, Col.
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+CHRISTIE MURRAY, and F. SCUDAMORE. In One Volume, large 8vo. With
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+
+THE FAMILY LIFE OF HEINRICH HEINE. Illustrated by one hundred and
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+members of his family. Edited by his nephew Baron LUDWIG VON EMBDEN, and
+translated by CHARLES GODFREY LELAND. In One Volume, 8vo. With 4
+Portraits. _12s. 6d._
+
+THE WORKS OF HEINRICH HEINE. Translated by CHARLES GODFREY LELAND, M.A.,
+F.R.L.S. (Hans Breitmann.) Crown 8vo, cloth, _5s._ per Volume.
+
+     _Times._--"We can recommend no better medium for making
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+     works of Heinrich Heine, translated by Charles Godfrey Leland. Mr.
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+     the original."
+
+I. FLORENTINE NIGHTS, SCHNABELEWOPSKI, THE RABBI OF BACHARACH, and
+SHAKESPEARE'S MAIDENS AND WOMEN.
+
+II., III. PICTURES OF TRAVEL. 1823-1828. In Two Volumes.
+
+IV. THE SALON.
+
+V., VI. GERMANY. In Two Volumes.
+
+VII., VIII. FRENCH AFFAIRS. Letters from Paris 1832, and Lutetia. In Two
+Vols.
+
+IX. THE BOOK OF SONGS. [_Others in preparation_.
+
+*** _Large Paper Edition, limited to 100 Numbered Copies, 15s. each,
+net. Volumes 1-3 ready. Prospectus on application._
+
+  Page 7
+
+THE OLD MAIDS' CLUB. By I. ZANGWILL, Author of "The Bachelors' Club."
+Illustrated by F. H. TOWNSEND. Crown 8vo, cloth, _3s. 6d._
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+
+*** _Large Paper Edition, limited to 100 Numbered Copies, 25s. net._
+
+THE LIFE OF HENRIK IBSEN. By HENRIK JAEGER. Translated by CLARA BELL.
+With the Verse done into English from the Norwegian Original by EDMUND
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+DE QUINCEY MEMORIALS. Being Letters and other Records here first
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+THE POSTHUMOUS WORKS OF THOMAS DE QUINCEY. Edited with Introduction and
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+I. SUSPIRIA DE PROFUNDIS. With other Essays.
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+  Page 8
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+THE CANADIAN GUIDE-BOOK. Part I. The Tourist's and Sportsman's Guide to
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+
+  Page 10
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+In Two Volumes.
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+MR. BAILEY MARTIN. By PERCY WHITE.
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+
+  Page 11
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+HEINEMANN'S INTERNATIONAL LIBRARY.
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+EDITED BY EDMUND GOSSE.
+
+     _New Review._--"If you have any pernicious remnants of literary
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+IN GOD'S WAY. From the Norwegian of BJOeRNSTJERNE BJOeRNSON.
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+     _Athenaeum._--"Without doubt the most important and the most
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+
+PIERRE AND JEAN. From the French of GUY DE MAUPASSANT.
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+the Right," &c.
+
+     _New Review._--"Few novels of recent times have a more sustained
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+
+WORK WHILE YE HAVE THE LIGHT. From the Russian of Count LEO TOLSTOY.
+
+     _Manchester Guardian._--"Readable and well translated; full of high
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+
+FANTASY. From the Italian of MATILDE SERAO.
+
+     _Scottish Leader._--"The book is full of a glowing and living
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+
+FROTH. From the Spanish of Don ARMANDO PALACIO-VALDES.
+
+     _Daily Telegraph._--"Vigorous and powerful in the highest degree."
+
+FOOTSTEPS OF FATE. From the Dutch of LOUIS COUPERUS.
+
+     _Gentlewoman._--"The consummate art of the writer prevents this
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+     or a circumstance exaggerated."
+
+PEPITA JIMENEZ. From the Spanish of JUAN VALERA.
+
+     _New Review_ (Mr. George Saintsbury):--"There is no doubt at all
+     that it is one of the best stories that have appeared in any
+     country in Europe for the last twenty years."
+
+THE COMMODORE'S DAUGHTERS. From the Norwegian of JONAS LIE.
+
+     _Athenaeum._--"Everything that Jonas Lie writes is attractive and
+     pleasant; the plot of deeply human interest, and the art noble."
+
+THE HERITAGE OF THE KURTS. From the Norwegian of BJOeRNSTJERNE BJOeRNSON.
+
+     _National Observer._--"It is a book to read and a book to think
+     about, for, incontestably, it is the work of a man of genius."
+
+LOU. From the German of BARON ALEXANDER VON ROBERTS.
+
+DONA LUZ. From the Spanish of JUAN VALERA.
+
+_In the Press_.
+
+WITHOUT DOGMA. From the Polish of H. SIENKIEWICZ.
+
+MOTHER'S HANDS, and other Stories. From the Norwegian of BJOeRNSTJERNE
+BJOeRNSON.
+
+  Page 12
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+POPULAR 3s. 6d. NOVELS.
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+CAPT'N DAVY'S HONEYMOON, The Blind Mother, and The Last Confession. By
+HALL CAINE, Author of "The Bondman," "The Scapegoat," &c.
+
+THE SCAPEGOAT. By HALL CAINE, Author of "The Bondman," &c.
+
+     _Mr. Gladstone writes_:--"I congratulate you upon 'The Scapegoat'
+     as a work of art, and especially upon the noble and skilfully drawn
+     character of Israel."
+
+     _Times._--"In our judgment it excels in dramatic force all his
+     previous efforts. For grace and touching pathos Naomi is a
+     character which any romancist in the world might be proud to have
+     created."
+
+THE BONDMAN. A New Saga. By HALL CAINE. Twentieth Thousand.
+
+     _Mr. Gladstone._--"'The Bondman' is a work of which I recognise the
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+
+DESPERATE REMEDIES. By THOMAS HARDY, Author of "Tess of the
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+
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+
+A LITTLE MINX. By ADA CAMBRIDGE, Author of "A Marked Man," &c.
+
+A MARKED MAN: Some Episodes in his Life. By ADA CAMBRIDGE, Author of
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+
+     _Morning Post._--"A depth of feeling, a knowledge of the human
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+
+THE THREE MISS KINGS. By ADA CAMBRIDGE, Author of "A Marked Man."
+
+     _Athenaeum._--"A charming study of character. The love stories are
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+
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+Miss Kings," &c.
+
+     _Guardian._--"A clever and absorbing story."
+
+     _Queen._--"All that remains to be said is 'read the book.'"
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+A KNIGHT OF THE WHITE FEATHER. By TASMA, Author of "The Penance of
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+
+UNCLE PIPER OF PIPER'S HILL. By TASMA. New Popular Edition.
+
+     _Guardian._--"Every page of it contains good wholesome food, which
+     demands and repays digestion. The tale itself is thoroughly
+     charming, and all the characters are delightfully drawn. We
+     strongly recommend all lovers of wholesome novels to make
+     acquaintance with it themselves, and are much mistaken if they do
+     not heartily thank us for the introduction."
+
+THE RETURN OF THE O'MAHONY. By HAROLD FREDERIC, Author of "In the
+Valley," &c. With Illustrations.
+
+IN THE VALLEY. By HAROLD FREDERIC, Author of "The Lawton Girl," "Seth's
+Brother's Wife," &c. With Illustrations.
+
+     _Times._--"The literary value of the book is high; the author's
+     studies of bygone life presenting a life-like picture."
+
+PRETTY MISS SMITH. By FLORENCE WARDEN, Author of "The House on the
+Marsh," "A Witch of the Hills," &c.
+
+     _Punch._--"Since Miss Florence Warden's 'House on the Marsh,' I
+     have not read a more exciting tale."
+
+  Page 13
+
+THE STORY OF A PENITENT SOUL. Being the Private Papers of Mr. Stephen Dart,
+late Minister at Lynnbridge, in the County of Lincoln. By ADELINE
+SERGEANT, Author of "No Saint," &c.
+
+NOR WIFE, NOR MAID. By Mrs. HUNGERFORD, Author of "Molly Bawn," &c.
+
+     _Queen._--"It has all the characteristics of the writer's work, and
+     greater emotional depth than most of its predecessors."
+
+     _Scotsman._--"Delightful reading, supremely interesting."
+
+MAMMON. A Novel. By Mrs. ALEXANDER, Author of "The Wooing O't," &c.
+
+     _Scotsman._--"The present work is not behind any of its
+     predecessors. 'Mammon' is a healthy story, and as it has been
+     thoughtfully written it has the merit of creating thought in its
+     readers."
+
+DAUGHTERS OF MEN. By HANNAH LYNCH, Author of "The Prince of the Glades,"
+&c.
+
+     _Daily Telegraph._--"Singularly clever and fascinating."
+
+     _Academy._--"One of the cleverest, if not also the pleasantest,
+     stories that have appeared for a long time."
+
+A ROMANCE OF THE CAPE FRONTIER. By BERTRAM MITFORD, Author of "Through
+the Zulu Country," &c.
+
+     _Observer._--"This is a rattling tale, genial, healthy, and
+     spirited."
+
+'TWEEN SNOW AND FIRE. A Tale of the Kafir War of 1877. By BERTRAM
+MITFORD.
+
+THE MASTER OF THE MAGICIANS. By ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS and HERBRT D.
+WARD.
+
+     _Athenaeum._--"A thrilling story."
+
+THE HEAD OF THE FIRM. By Mrs. RIDDELL, Author of "George Geith,"
+"Maxwell Drewett," &c. [_In preparation._
+
+THE AVERAGE WOMAN. By WOLCOTT BALESTIER. With an Introduction by HENRY
+JAMES.
+
+THE ATTACK ON THE MILL, and Other Sketches of War. By EMILE ZOLA. With
+an essay on the short stories of M. Zola by Edmund Gosse.
+
+WRECKAGE, and other Stories. By HUBERT CRACKANTHORPE.
+
+MADEMOISELLE MISS, and Other Stories. By HENRY HARLAND, Author of "Mea
+Culpa," &c. [_In the Press._
+
+LOS CERRITOS. A Romance of the Modern Time. By GERTRUDE FRANKLIN
+ATHERTON, Author of "Hermia Suydam," and "What Dreams May Come."
+
+     _Athenaeum._--"Full of fresh fancies and suggestions. Told with
+     strength and delicacy. A decidedly charming romance."
+
+A MODERN MARRIAGE. By the Marquise CLARA LANZA.
+
+     _Queen._--"A powerful story, dramatically and consistently carried
+     out."
+
+     _Black and White._--"A decidedly clever book."
+
+  Page 14
+
+POPULAR SHILLING BOOKS.
+
+MADAME VALERIE. By F. C. PHILIPS, Author of "As in a Looking-Glass," &c.
+
+THE MOMENT AFTER: A Tale of the Unseen. By ROBERT BUCHANAN.
+
+     _Athenaeum._--"Should be read--in daylight."
+
+     _Observer._--"A clever _tour de force_."
+
+     _Guardian._--"Particularly impressive, graphic, and powerful."
+
+CLUES; or, Leaves from a Chief Constable's Note-Book. By WILLIAM
+HENDERSON, Chief Constable of Edinburgh.
+
+     _Mr. Gladstone._--"I found the book full of interest."
+
+DRAMATIC LITERATURE.
+
+THE MASTER BUILDER. A Play in Three Acts. By HENRIK IBSEN. Translated
+from the Norwegian by EDMUND GOSSE and WILLIAM ARCHER. Small 4to, with
+Portrait, _5s._ [_Just ready._
+
+A NEW PLAY. By BJOeRNSTJERNE BJOeRNSON. Translated from the Norwegian.
+[_In preparation._
+
+THE PRINCESSE MALEINE: A Drama in Five Acts (Translated by Gerard
+Harry), and THE INTRUDER: A Drama in One Act. By MAURICE MAETERLINCK.
+With an Introduction by HALL CAINE, and a Portrait of the Author. Small
+4to, cloth, _5s._
+
+     _Athenaeum._--"In the creation of the 'atmosphere' of the play M.
+     Maeterlinck shows his skill. It is here that he communicates to us
+     the _nouveau frisson_, here that he does what no one else has done.
+     In 'The Intruder' the art consists of the subtle gradations of
+     terror, the slow, creeping progress of the nightmare of
+     apprehension. Nothing quite like it has been done before--not even
+     by Poe--not even by Villiers."
+
+THE FRUITS OF ENLIGHTENMENT: A Comedy in Four Acts. By Count LYOF
+TOLSTOY. Translated from the Russian by E. J. DILLON. With Introduction
+by A. W. PINERO. Small 4to, with Portrait, _5s._
+
+     _Pall Mall Gazette._--"The whole effect of the play is distinctly
+     Molieresque; it has something of the large humanity of the master.
+     Its satire is genial, almost gay."
+
+HEDDA GABLER: A Drama in Four Acts. By HENRIK IBSEN. Translated from the
+Norwegian by EDMUND GOSSE. Small 4to, cloth, with Portrait, _5s._
+Vaudeville Edition, paper, _1s._ Also a Limited Large Paper Edition,
+_21s. net._
+
+     _Times._--"The language in which this play is couched is a model of
+     brevity, decision, and pointedness.... Every line tells, and there
+     is not an incident that does not bear on the action immediate or
+     remote. As a corrective to the vapid and foolish writing with which
+     the stage is deluged 'Hedda Gabler' is perhaps entitled to the
+     place of honour."
+
+THE DRAMA, ADDRESSES. By HENRY IRVING. Fcap. 8vo. With Portrait by J.
+McN. Whistler. _3s. 6d._ Second Edition.
+
+  Page 15
+
+SOME INTERESTING FALLACIES OF THE MODERN STAGE. An Address delivered to
+the Playgoers' Club at St. James's Hall, on Sunday, 6th December, 1891.
+By HERBERT BEERBOHM TREE. Crown 8vo, sewed, _6d._
+
+THE LIFE OF HENRIK IBSEN. By HENRIK JAEGER. Translated by CLARA BELL.
+With the Verse done into English from the Norwegian Original by EDMUND
+GOSSE. Crown 8vo, cloth, _6s._
+
+     _St. James's Gazette._--"Admirably translated. Deserves a cordial
+     and emphatic welcome."
+
+     _Guardian._--"Ibsen's dramas at present enjoy a considerable vogue,
+     and their admirers will rejoice to find full descriptions and
+     criticisms in Mr. Jaeger's book."
+
+
+THE PLAYS OF ARTHUR W. PINERO.
+
+With Introductory Notes by MALCOLM C. SALAMAN. 16mo, Paper Covers, _1s.
+6d._; or Cloth, _2s. 6d._ each.
+
+THE TIMES: A Comedy in Four Acts. With a Preface by the Author. (Vol.
+I.)
+
+     _Daily Telegraph._--"'The Times' is the best example yet given of
+     Mr. Pinero's power as a satirist. So clever is his work that it
+     beats down opposition. So fascinating is his style that we cannot
+     help listening to him."
+
+     _Morning Post._--"Mr. Pinero's latest belongs to a high order of
+     dramatic literature, and the piece will be witnessed again with all
+     the greater zest after the perusal of such admirable dialogue."
+
+THE PROFLIGATE: A Play in Four Acts. With Portrait of the Author, after
+J. MORDECAI. (Vol. II.)
+
+     _Pall Mall Gazette._--"Will be welcomed by all who have the true
+     interests of the stage at heart."
+
+THE CABINET MINISTER: A Farce in Four Acts. (Vol. III.)
+
+     _Observer._--"It is as amusing to read as it was when played."
+
+THE HOBBY HORSE: A Comedy in Three Acts. (Vol. IV.)
+
+     _St. James's Gazette._--"Mr. Pinero has seldom produced better or
+     more interesting work than in 'The Hobby Horse.'"
+
+LADY BOUNTIFUL: A Play in Four Acts. (Vol. V.)
+
+THE MAGISTRATE: A Farce in Three Acts. (Vol. VI.)
+
+DANDY DICK: A Farce in Three Acts. (Vol. VII.)
+
+SWEET LAVENDER. (Vol. VIII.)
+
+To be followed by The Schoolmistress, The Weaker Sex, Lords and Commons,
+and The Squire.
+
+  Page 16
+
+POETRY.
+
+LOVE SONGS OF ENGLISH POETS, 1500-1800 With Notes by RALPH H. CAINE.
+Fcap. 8vo, rough edges, _3s. 6d._
+
+*** _Large Paper Edition, limited to 100 Copies, 10s. 6d. Net._
+
+IVY AND PASSION FLOWER: Poems. By GERARD BENDALL, Author of "Estelle,"
+&c. &c. 12mo, cloth, _3s. 6d._
+
+     _Scotsman._--"Will be read with pleasure."
+
+     _Musical World._--"The poems are delicate specimens of art,
+     graceful and polished."
+
+VERSES. By GERTRUDE HALL. 12mo, cloth, _3s. 6d._
+
+     _Manchester Guardian._--"Will be welcome to every lover of poetry
+     who takes it up."
+
+IDYLLS OF WOMANHOOD. By C. AMY DAWSON. Fcap. 8vo, gilt top, _5s._
+
+
+HEINEMANN'S SCIENTIFIC HANDBOOKS.
+
+MANUAL OF BACTERIOLOGY. By A. B. GRIFFITHS, Ph.D., F.R.S. (Edin.),
+F.C.S. Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated. _7s. 6d._
+
+     _Pharmaceutical Journal._--"The subject is treated more thoroughly
+     and completely than in any similar work published in this
+     country.... It should prove a useful aid to pharmacists, and all
+     others interested in the increasingly important subject of which it
+     treats, and particularly so to those possessing little or no
+     previous knowledge concerning the problems of micro-biology."
+
+MANUAL OF ASSAYING GOLD, SILVER, COPPER, AND LEAD ORES. By WALTER LEE
+BROWN, B.Sc. Revised, Corrected, and considerably Enlarged, with a
+chapter on the Assaying of Fuel, &c. By A. B. GRIFFITHS, Ph.D., F.R.S.
+(Edin.), F.C.S. Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, _7s. 6d._
+
+     _Colliery Guardian._--"A delightful and fascinating book."
+
+     _Financial World._--"The most complete and practical manual on
+     everything which concerns assaying of all which have come before
+     us."
+
+GEODESY. By J. HOWARD GORE. Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, _5s._
+
+     _St. James's Gazette._--"The book may be safely recommended to
+     those who desire to acquire an accurate knowledge of Geodesy."
+
+     _Science Gossip._--"It is the best we could recommend to all
+     geodetic students. It is full and clear, thoroughly accurate, and
+     up to date in all matters of earth-measurements."
+
+THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF GASES. By ARTHUR L. KIMBALL, of the Johns
+Hopkins University. Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, _5s._
+
+     _Chemical News._--"The man of culture who wishes for a general and
+     accurate acquaintance with the physical properties of gases, will
+     find in Mr. Kimball's work just what he requires."
+
+HEAT AS A FORM OF ENERGY. By Professor R. H. THURSTON, of Cornell
+University. Crown 8vo, cloth, Illustrated, _5s._
+
+     _Manchester Examiner._--"Bears out the character of its
+     predecessors for careful and correct statement and deduction under
+     the light of the most recent discoveries."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 BEDFORD STREET, W.C.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mr Punch's Pocket Ibsen - A Collection
+of Some of the Master's Best Known Dramas, by F. Anstey
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