[In the street a crowd of people has assembled, vaguely seen
through the trees. Music of wind-instruments is heard far
away behind the new house.
MRS. SOLNESS, with a fur collar round her neck, DOCTOR HERDAL
with her white shawl on his arm, and some ladies, come out
on the verandah. RAGNAR BROVIK comes at the same time up
from the garden.
[To RAGNAR.] Are we to have music, too?
Yes. It's the band of the Mason's Union. [To SOLNESS.] The foreman asked me to tell you that he is ready now to go up with the wreath.
[Takes his hat.] Good. I will go down to him myself.
[Anxiously.] What have you to do down there, Halvard?
[Curtly.] I must be down below with the men.
Yes, down below—only down below.
That is where I always stand—on everyday occasions.
[He goes down the flight of steps and away through the garden.