Werle. You laugh. Don’t you believe what I say? It is true there’s nothing of all this in my books, for there are certain expenses I never enter.
Gregers (smiling coldly). No, there are certain expenses which it is best not to enter.
Werle (starting). What do you mean?
Gregers (with forced calm). Have you entered what it cost you to let Hjalmar Ekdal learn photography?
Werle. I? Entered what?
Gregers. I know now that it was you who paid for that. And I know, too, that it was you who so generously helped him to make a start.
Werle. Well, and yet you say I’ve done nothing for the Ekdals! I can assure you, in all conscience, these people have cost me quite enough.
Gregers. Have you entered any of these expenses?
Werle. Why do you ask?
Gregers. Oh, I have my reasons. Listen. At the time when you interested yourself so warmly in the son of your old friend, was that not the very time when he was to get married?