Hjalmar. I will not. I can not. I must away; away from all this.
He tears himself away from Hedvig and goes out at the entrance-door.
Hedvig (with despairing look). He is going from us mother! He is going from us! He will never come back again!
Gina. If only you’ll not cry, Hedvig, father’ll come again!
Hedvig (throws herself sobbing upon the sofa). No, no, he’ll never come home to us any more.
Gregers. You believe that I meant it all for the best, Mrs. Ekdal?
Gina. Yes, I do almost, but God forgive you, all the same.
Hedvig (lying on the sofa). Oh! I feel as if it would kill me! What have I done to him? Mother, you must bring him home again!
Gina. Yes, yes, yes; only be quiet, and I’ll go out and look for him. (Puts on her out-door things.) Perhaps he’s gone to Relling’s. But you mustn’t lie there and howl. Will you promise me that?
Hedvig (crying convulsively). Yes, I’ll stop, if only father will come home again.