Gregers (to Gina who is going out). Wouldn’t it be better after all that you let him first fight out to the end his bitter fight?
Gina. Oh! he can do that afterwards. First and foremost we must quiet the child.
She goes out at the entrance-door.
Hedvig (sitting up and drying her eyes). Now you must tell me what it’s all about. Why won’t father have anything more to do with me?
Gregers. You mustn’t ask about that till you’re a big girl and grown up.
Hedvig (sobbing). But I can’t go on being so terribly miserable till I’m big and grown up—I know what it is—perhaps I’m not father’s real child.
Gregers (uneasily). How could that be?
Hedvig. Why, mother may have found me. And now, perhaps, father has got to know it; for I’ve read about such things.
Gregers. Well, but if it were so——
Hedvig. Yes, I think he might love me just as much for all that. And even more. Why the wild duck, too, was sent us for a present, and yet I care so much for her.