Mr Punch's Pocket Ibsen – A Collection of Some of the Master's Best Known Dramas

Dr. Herdal

[Comes out very pale, from dispensary.] Hilda I did take the – I'm afraid I interrupt you?

Helmer

Not in the least. But this lady is my little lark, and she is going back to her cage by the next steamer.

Dr. Herdal

[Bitterly.] Am I never to have a gleam of happiness? But stay – do I see my little Senna once more?

Rübub

Pardon me —my little Senna. She always believed so firmly in my pill!

Dr. Herdal

Well – well. If it must be. Rübub, I will take you into partnership, and we will take out a patent for that pill, jointly. Aline, my poor dear Aline, let us try once more if we cannot bring a ray of brightness into our cheerless home!

Mrs. Herdal

Oh, Haustus, if only we could– but why do you propose that to me —now?

Dr. Herdal

[Softly – to himself.] Because I have tried being a troll – and found that nothing came of it, and it wasn't worth sixpence!

[Hilda-Nora goes off to the right with Helmer; Senna to the left with Rübub; Dr. Herdal and Mrs. Herdal sit on two of the galvanised-iron chairs, and shake their heads disconsolately as the Curtain falls.