[_Coming in._] I have been for a walk with Gregers; he meant well--but it was tiring. Gina, he has told me that, fifteen years ago, before I married you, you were rather a Wild Duck, so to speak. [_Severely._] Why haven"t you been writhing in penitence and remorse all these years, eh?

GINA.

[_Sensibly._] Why? Because I have had other things to do. _You_ wouldn"t take any photographs, so I _had_ to.

HIALMAR.

All the same--it was a swamp of deceit. And where am I to find elasticity of spirit to bring out my grand invention now? I used to shut myself up in the parlour, and ponder and cry, when I thought that the effort of inventing anything would sap my vitality. [_Pathetically._] I _did_ want to leave you an inventor"s widow; but I never shall now, particularly as I haven"t made up my mind what to invent yet. Yes, it"s all over. Rabbits are trash, and even poultry palls. And I"ll wring that cursed Wild Duck"s neck!

GREGERS.

[_Coming in beaming._] Well, so you"ve got it over. _Wasn"t_ it soothing and enn.o.bling, eh? and _ain"t_ you both obliged to me?

GINA.

No; it"s my opinion you"d better have minded your own business.

[_Weeps._

GREGERS.

[_In great surprise._] Bless me! Pardon my Norwegian _navete_, but this ought really to be quite a new starting-point. Why, I confidently expected to have found you both beaming!--Mrs. Ekdal, being so illiterate, may take some little time to see it--but you, Hialmar, with your deep mind, surely _you_ feel a new consecration, eh?

HIALMAR.

[_Dubiously._] Oh--er--yes. I suppose so--in a sort of way.

[HEDVIG _runs in, overjoyed._

HEDVIG.

Father, only see what Mrs. Sorby has given me for a birthday present--a beautiful deed of gift! [_Shows it._

HIALMAR.

[_Eluding her._] Ha! Mrs. Sorby, the family house-keeper. My father"s sight failing! Hedvig in goggles! What vistas of heredity these astonishing coincidences open up! _I_ am not short-sighted, at all events, and I see it all--all! _This_ is my answer. [_He takes the deed, and tears it across._] Now I have nothing more to do in this house.

[_Puts on overcoat._] My home has fallen in ruins about me. [_Bursts into tears._] My hat!

GREGERS.

Oh, but you _mustn"t_ go. You must be all three together, to attain the true frame of mind for self-sacrificing forgiveness, you know!

HIALMAR.

Self-sacrificing forgiveness be blowed!

[_He tears himself away, and goes out._

HEDVIG.

[_With despairing eyes._] Oh, he said it might be blowed! Now he"ll _never_ come home any more!

GREGERS.

Shall I tell you how to regain your father"s confidence, and bring him home surely? Sacrifice the Wild Duck.

HEDVIG.

Do you think that will do any good?

GREGERS.

You just _try_ it!

[_Curtain._

* * * * *

ACT FOURTH

_Same Scene._ GREGERS _enters, and finds_ GINA _retouching photographs_.

GREGERS.

[_Pleasantly._] Hialmar not come in yet, after last night, I suppose?

GINA.

Not he! He"s been out on the loose all night with Relling and Molvik.

Now he"s snoring on their sofa.

GREGERS.

[_Disappointed._] Dear!--dear!--when he ought to be yearning to wrestle in solitude and self-examination!

GINA.

[_Rudely._] Self-examine your grandmother!

[_She goes out_; HEDVIG _comes in_.

GREGERS.

[_To_ HEDVIG.] Ah, I see you haven"t found courage to settle the Wild Duck yet!

HEDVIG.

No--it seemed such a delightful idea at first. Now it strikes me as a trifle--well, _Ibsenish_.