Hjalmar. Old Werle? It’s no business of his.
Gina. But you may be sure there’s something up between them again, as the young one’s moving out of the house. You know well enough how things are between those two.
Hjalmar. Yes, that may be, but——
Gina. And now, perhaps, Mr. Werle’ll think you’re at the bottom of it——
Hjalmar. Let him think so as long as he likes! Mr. Werle has done an immense deal for me. Good heavens! I don’t deny it—but I can’t on that account remain his dependent all my life.
Gina. But, dear Ekdal, perhaps grandfather may have to suffer for it; he may lose his poor little earnings that he gets through Graberg.
Hjalmar. I’m almost inclined to say: so much the better! Is it not sufficiently humiliating for a man like me to see his grey-haired father going about as an outcast? But the fullness of time is coming now, I think. (He takes another piece of bread and butter.) As surely as I have a mission in life, so surely I will not shrink from it!
Hedvig. Oh! no, father, don’t!
Gina. Hush! Don’t wake him!
Hjalmar (in a lower tone). I will not shrink from it, I tell you. The day will yet come, when—— And that’s why it’s a good thing we’ve let the room; for that makes me more independent. And a man must be that when he has a mission in life. (Turning towards the arm-chair, with emotion.) My poor white-haired old father! Lean on your Hjalmar. He has broad shoulders—strong shoulders, at any rate. You will awaken one day and—— (To Gina.) Perhaps, you don’t believe it?