Hedvig

“ She came to me with open arms as soon as she saw me, and, embracing me ardently, expressed her gratitude for my long and dreary imprisonment.
"Divine Hedvig," I answered, "if I had not loved you madly I would not have stayed a quarter of an hour in that dismal cell, but I am ready to spend four hours there every day till I leave Geneva for your sake. But we must not lose any time; let us go to bed."
"Do you two go to bed," said Helen; "I will sleep on the sofa."
"No, no," cried Hedvig, "don't think of it; our fate must be exactly equal." ”

“ Hedvig could manage all right as to food. She was always eating at the baker’s, and cakes dropped out of her clothes when she undressed at night; she brought them home for Emanuel. But even her existence was touched with the ugly grey brush of poverty. Her boots were a marvel; every schoolgirl in the town knew Hedvig’s boots. They had an extraordinary number of buttons up the side, with springs, and a sort of ventilation. They must have cost a great deal at one time. ”

“ There are certain claims—what shall I call them?—let me say claims of the ideal—certain obligations, which a man cannot disregard without injury to his soul.
Hedvig. [Going after him.] But think of the wild duck,—the poor wild duck!
Hialmar. [Stops.] I tell you I will spare it—for your sake. Not a hair of its head shall be—I mean, it shall be spared. There are greater problems than that to be dealt with. But you should go out a little now, Hedvig, as usual; it is getting dusk enough for you now. ”

“ The ardent prayers of men were powerless to affect Him.
She began mumbling an oath every time her father found a new form for his praise.
It was otherwise with Egholm himself. He felt stronger and stronger as he went on; and at sight of Hedvig’s lips moving, he burst into tears, and found courage to speak out without reserve. ”

“ Hedvig flushed, but, ready witted as ever, answered, laughing:
“Oh. Perhaps you don’t do that here. In Odense we always use bones for the fire when we can get them. They burn almost better than wood.”
“What’s your name?”
“Hedvig Egholm. And what’s yours? You’re the carpenter’s son, I suppose?” ”

“ Hjalmar. That’s it. Thanks! I say, it was a good thing I came.
He goes away from the opening of the door; they are heard carpentering and talking within. Hedvig remains standing and looks at them. After a pause there is a knock at the entrance-door; she takes no notice of it.
Gregers (bareheaded and without a top coat; he enters and stands a little while by the door) . H’m!
Hedvig (turning and going up to him) . Good morning. Won’t you come in?
Gregers. Thank you (looks towards the loft) . You seem to have workingmen in the house?
[65]
Hedvig. No, it’s only father and grandfather. ”

“ At the same moment Egholm came in again, and now nothing was heard but the rattle of the iron bedsteads and flapping of sheets and bedclothes patted down. They shared for better or worse. Hedvig was given one iron bedstead in the little room to herself, but had to be content with a woollen blanket and her father’s old railway cloak for covering. ”

“ She told me the most lascivious details, and explained with the utmost minuteness the different external and internal movements which would be developed in the copulations pictured by Aretin. I thought it quite impossible that she could be reasoning from theory alone. She was not troubled by the slightest tincture of modesty, but philosophized on coition as coolly and much more learnedly than Hedvig. I would willingly have given her all I possessed to crown her science by the performance of the great work. ”

“ Oh, if only your eyes had been opened to that which gives life its value—if you possessed the true, joyous, fearless spirit of sacrifice, you would soon see how he would come up to you.—But I believe in you still, Hedvig. ”

“ Hedvig. I only wanted to come in beside you, father.
Hialmar. [After a pause.] What makes you go prying around like that? Perhaps you are told off to watch me?
Hedvig. No, no.
Hialmar. What is your mother doing out there?
Hedvig. Oh, mother’s in the middle of making the herring-salad. [Goes to the table.] Isn’t there any little thing I could help you with, father?
280Hialmar. Oh no. It is right that I should bear the whole burden—so long as my strength holds out. Set your mind at rest, Hedvig; if only your father keeps his health——
Hedvig. ”

“ Hedvig wanders about the room for a time; she is on the point of going into the kitchen when a knock is heard at the garret door. Hedvig goes over and opens it a little; old Ekdal comes out; she pushes the door to again.
Ekdal. H'm, it’s not much fun to take one’s morning walk alone.
Hedvig. Wouldn’t you like to go shooting, grandfather?
Ekdal. It’s not the weather for it to-day. It’s so dark there, you can scarcely see where you’re going.
Hedvig. Do you never want to shoot anything besides the rabbits?
Ekdal. Do you think the rabbits aren’t good enough? ”

“ He always tucked away odd bits under his work-bench for her. He was a kindly sort, was Marinus. And he seemed particularly fond of Hedvig, and she of him—that is to say, at times. For it was towards Marinus that her fickleness of humour showed itself most of all. Sometimes when she had been in the workshop she would [183] come back and fall into a fit of miserable weeping; at other times she would rush in at once the moment he tapped with his rule on the pane, whether she wanted firewood for the kitchen or no. And as to getting any explanation out of her—that, of course, was hopeless. ”

“ 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! ”

“ Hedvig. [Approaching, coaxingly.] Father.
Hialmar. Well—what is it, Hedvig?
Hedvig. Mrs. Sörby had something with her for me.
Hialmar. [Stops.] For you?
Hedvig. Yes. Something for to-morrow.
Gina. Bertha has always given you some little thing on your birthday.
Hialmar. What is it?
349Hedvig. Oh, you mustn’t see it now. Mother is to give it to me to-morrow morning before I'm up.
Hialmar. What is all this hocus-pocus that I am to be kept in the dark about!
Hedvig. [Quickly.] Oh no, you may see it if you like. It’s a big letter. ”

“ Hialmar. Yes, Gina— [Nods to her] —you are a good helpmate on the path of life.
Gina. Oh, don’t sit there cricketizing me.me.
Relling. And your Hedvig too, Ekdal!
Hialmar. [Affected.] The child, yes! The child before everything! Hedvig, come here to me. [Strokes her hair.] What day is it to-morrow, eh?
308Hedvig. [Shaking him.] Oh no, you’re not to say anything, father.father.
Hialmar. It cuts me to the heart when I think what a poor affair it will be; only a little festivity in the garret——
Hedvig. ”

“ Hedvig. But can you imagine why father hasn’t come home yet?
Gina. Are you sure he’s not down in Relling’s room?
320Hedvig. No, he’s not; I ran down the kitchen stair just now and asked.
Gina. And his dinner standing and getting cold, too.
Hedvig. Yes, I can’t understand it. Father’s always so careful to be home to dinner!
Gina. Oh, he’ll be here directly, you’ll see.
Hedvig. I wish he would come; everything seems so queer to-day.
Gina. [Calls out.] There he is!
Hialmar Ekdal comes in at the passage door.
Hedvig. [Going to him.] Father! Oh what a time we’ve been waiting for you! ”

“ Hedvig. The wild duck! I'll try it to-morrow morning!morning!
[Gina comes in by the passage door.
Hedvig. [Going towards her.] Did you find him, mother?
Gina. No, but I heard as he had called and taken Relling with him.
Gregers. Are you sure of that?
Gina. Yes, the porter’s wife said so. Molvik went with them too, she said.
Gregers. This evening, when his mind so sorely needs to wrestle in solitude——!
362Gina. [Takes off her things.] Yes, men are strange creatures, so they are. The Lord only knows where Relling has dragged him to! I ran over to Madam Eriksen’s, but they weren’t there. ”

“ Gina. [At the same time.] Hedvig! [Inside the garret.] No, no, no!
Ekdal. Ho-ho! does she go shooting too, now?
[Hialmar, Gina, and Gregers carry Hedvig into the studio; in her dangling right hand she holds the pistol fast clasped in her fingers.
Hialmar. [Distracted.] The pistol has gone off. She has wounded herself. Call for help! Help!
395Gina. [Runs into the passage and calls down.] Relling! Relling! Doctor Relling; come up as quick as you can!
[Hialmar and Gregers lay Hedvig down on the sofa.
Ekdal. [Quietly.] The woods avenge themselves. ”

“ This has nothing to do with her eyes. But Hedvig is at an awkward age. She might get into all sorts of mischief.
Gina. Yes, just fancy—she does that already! She’s begun carrying on with the fire out in the kitchen. She calls it playing at house on fire. I’m often frightened she’ll set fire to the house.
Relling. There you see, I knew it well enough.
Gregers (to Relling) . But how do you account for this?
Relling (sulkily) . She is passing through a constitutional change, man.
[101]
Hjalmar. As long as the child has me!—So long as my head is above ground——
There is a knock at the door. ”

“ Hedvig. Oh! no, father, don’t!
Gina. Hush! Don’t wake him!
Hjalmar (in a lower tone) . I will not shrink from it, I tell you. The day will yet come, when—— And that’s why it’s a good thing we’ve let the room; for that makes me more independent. And a man must be that when he has a mission in life. (Turning towards the arm-chair, with emotion.) My poor white-haired old father! Lean on your Hjalmar. He has broad shoulders—strong shoulders, at any rate. You will awaken one day and—— (To Gina.) ”

“ Count Gerhardt of Holstein was then (Jan. 1340) in Lubeck. He heard tidings that his sister’s son, Count of Sleswik, had made agreement with the Danes that they should establish the aforesaid Valdemar (V. Atterdag, King Christopher’s son) in the kingdom, and marry him to Hedvig, the Duke’s sister. Moreover, the Count knew well that many nobles and cities would fain, for the sake of peace, have a King in the land.... Count Gerhardt sent far and wide for help, and there came to him much people.... He invaded North Jutland.... Not long thereafter the Count fell sick in Randers.... ”

“ In the intervals, perceiving them docile and desirous, I made them execute Aretin's most complicated postures, a business that amused them beyond measure. [5] We were lavish with our kisses on whatever part took our fancy, and just as Hedvige applied her lips to the mouth of the pistol, it went off and the discharge inundated her face and her bosom. She was delighted, and studied the eruption to an end with all the curiosity of a physician.
The night seemed short, though we had not lost a moment's space, and at daybreak we had to part. ”

“ The fair theologian told me I wanted to know too much, but Helen let me do what I liked with such a tender and affectionate expression that it was as much as I could do to keep within bounds. At last, when I had drawn on their shoes and stockings, I told them that I was delighted to have seen the hidden charms of the two prettiest girls in Geneva.
"What effect had it on you?" asked Hedvig.
"I daren't tell you to look, but feel, both of you."
"Do you bathe, too."
"It's out of the question, a man's undressing takes so much trouble." ”

“ 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 LÖVBORG'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) . Hm!—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! ”

“ Hedwig had made her entrance into society as Edmund's promised wife, had appeared amid the brilliant surroundings among which her future life would be passed. To be mistress of Ettersberg was assuredly no unenviable lot, even for so rich an heiress, so spoilt a child of Fortune, as Hedwig Rüstow. She had never enjoyed such triumphs, never received so much homage, as had been lavished on her tonight in her quality of the future Countess Ettersberg. ”

“ Hedwig replied. “Everybody does, anyhow. Especially when it is something disagreeable.”
Olga Loschek watched her warily. She knew the family as only the outsider could know it; knew that Hedwig, who would have disclaimed the fact, was like her mother in some things, notably in a disposition to be mild until a certain moment, submissive, even acquiescent, and then suddenly to become, as it were, a royalty and grow cold, haughty. But if Hedwig was driven in those days, so was the Countess, desperate and driven to desperate methods. ”

“ Hedin bound himself by a vow to possess Svava, the beloved of his brother Helgi; but repented it so bitterly that he left home and wandered through wild paths to the southern lands, and there found his brother Helgi. Helgi said:
31. Welcome art thou, Hedin! What new tidings canst thou give from Norway? Why art thou, prince! from the land driven, and alone art come to find us?
Hedin.
32. Of a much greater crime I am guilty. I have chosen a royal daughter, thy bride, at the Bragi-cup.
Helgi.
33. Accuse not thyself; true will prove words at drinking uttered by us both. ”