Hedvig. I only wanted to come in to you, father.
Hjalmar (after a short pause). It seems to me you’ve come to poke your nose into things. Are you to keep watch, perhaps?
Hedvig. Oh, no! not at all!
Hjalmar. What’s mother doing in there now?
Hedvig. Oh! Mother’s in the thick of the herring-salad. (She goes up to the table.) Isn’t there any little thing I could help you with, father?
Hjalmar. Oh, no. It’s best I should do it all alone—as long as my strength holds out. There’s no need, Hedvig; if only your father keeps his health—then——
Hedvig. Oh no, father; you mustn’t say such horrid things——
She walks about a little while, stands still by the open door, and looks into the loft.
Hjalmar. I say, what’s he doing now?
Hedvig. It’s surely a new path up to the water-trough.