HEDVIG. [_Half laughing, half whimpering._] Oh yes, father, now don’t tease me any longer! HIALMAR. Why, what do you mean? HEDVIG. [_Shaking him._] Oh what nonsense; come, where are they, father? All the good things you promised me, you know? HIALMAR. Oh—if I haven’t forgotten all about them! HEDVIG. Now you’re only teasing me, father! Oh, it’s too bad of you! Where have you put them? HIALMAR. No, I positively forgot to get anything. But wait a little! I have something else for you, Hedvig. [_Goes and searches in the pockets of the coat._ HEDVIG. [_Skipping and clapping her hands._] Oh mother, mother! GINA. There, you see; if you only give him time—— HIALMAR. [_With a paper._] Look, here it is. HEDVIG. That? Why, that’s only a paper. HIALMAR. That is the bill of fare, my dear; the whole bill of fare. Here you see: “Menu ”—that means bill of fare. HEDVIG. Haven’t you anything else? HIALMAR. I forgot the other things, I tell you. But you may take my word for it, these dainties are very unsatisfying. Sit down at the table and read the bill of fare, and then I'll describe to you how the dishes taste. Here you are, Hedvig. HEDVIG. [_Gulping down her tears._] Thank you. [_She seats herself, but does not read;_ GINA _makes signs to her;_ HIALMAR _notices it._ HIALMAR. [_Pacing up and down the room._] It’s monstrous what absurd things the father of a family is expected to think of; and if he forgets the smallest trifle, he is treated to sour faces at once. Well, well, one gets used to that too. [_Stops near the stove, by the old man’s chair._] Have you peeped in there this evening, father? EKDAL. Yes, to be sure I have. She’s gone into the basket. HIALMAR. Ah, she _has_ gone into the basket. Then she’s beginning to get used to it. EKDAL. Yes; just as I prophesied. But you know there are still a few little things—— HIALMAR. A few improvements, yes. EKDAL. They’ve _got_ to be made, you know. HIALMAR. Yes, let us have a talk about the improvements, father. Come, let us sit on the sofa. EKDAL. All right. H'm—think I'll just fill my pipe first. Must clean it out, too. H'm. [_He goes into his room._