Gina. You shouldn’t go out with him, Ekdal.
Relling. No, don’t you. Stop where you are.
Hjalmar (taking his hat and top-coat). What nonsense! When the friend of my youth feels the desire to open his heart to me in private!
Relling. But deuce take it—don’t you see the fellow’s cracked, mad, demented!
Gina. Yes, you can surely hear that. His mother used to have such fits at times.
Hjalmar. He has all the greater need for the vigilant eye of a friend. (To Gina.) Mind dinner’s ready in good time. Good-bye for the present. (He goes out at the entrance-door.)
Relling. It’s a pity that fellow didn’t go to hell by way of one of the Hojdal mines.
Gina. Lord!—why do you say that?
Relling (mutters). Oh, yes! For I’ve my suspicions.
Gina. Do you think young Werle’s really mad?