Hedvig.
[With a bound towards her mother, asks softly, trembling.] Does that mean me?
Gina.
Stay out in the kitchen, Hedvig; or, no—you’d best go into your own room. [Speaks to Hialmar as she goes in to him.] Wait a bit, Ekdal; don’t rummage so in the drawers; I know where everything is.
Hedvig.
[Stands a moment immovable, in terror and perplexity, biting her lips to keep back the tears; then she clenches her hands convulsively, and says softly:] The wild duck.
[She steals over and takes the pistol from the shelf, opens the garret door a little way, creeps in, and draws the door to after her.
[Hialmar and Gina can be heard disputing in the sitting-room.
Hialmar.
[Comes in with some manuscript books and old loose papers, which he lays upon the table.] That portmanteau is of no use! There are a thousand and one things I must drag with me.