GINA. [_Smiling to HIALMAR._] His pipe! HIALMAR. Oh yes yes, Gina; let him alone—the poor shipwrecked old man.—Yes, these improvements—we had better get them out of hand to-morrow. GINA. You’ll hardly have time to-morrow, Ekdal. HEDVIG. [_Interposing._] Oh yes he will, mother! GINA. ——for remember them prints that has to be retouched; they’ve sent for them time after time. HIALMAR. There now! those prints again! I shall get them finished all right! Have any new orders come in? GINA. No, worse luck; to-morrow I have nothing but those two sittings, you know. HIALMAR. Nothing else? Oh no, if people won’t set about things with a will—— GINA. But what more can I do? Don’t I advertise in the papers as much as we can afford? HIALMAR. Yes, the papers, the papers; you see how much good _they_ do. And I suppose no one has been to look at the room either? GINA. No, not yet. HIALMAR. That was only to be expected. If people won’t keep their eyes open——. Nothing can be done without a real effort, Gina! HEDVIG. [_Going towards him._] Shall I fetch you the flute, father? HIALMAR. No; no flute for me; _I_ want no pleasures in this world. [_Pacing about._] Yes, indeed I will work to-morrow; you shall see if I don’t. You may be sure I shall work as long as my strength holds out. GINA. But my dear good Ekdal, I didn’t mean it in _that_ way. HEDVIG. Father, mayn’t I bring in a bottle of beer? HIALMAR. No, certainly not. I require nothing, nothing——[_Comes to a standstill._] Beer? Was it beer you were talking about? HEDVIG. [_Cheerfully._] Yes, father; beautiful fresh beer. HIALMAR. Well—since you insist upon it, you may bring in a bottle. GINA. Yes, do; and we’ll be nice and cosy. [HEDVIG _runs towards the kitchen door._ HIALMAR. [_By the stove, stops her, looks at her, puts his arm round her neck and presses her to him._] Hedvig, Hedvig! HEDVIG. [_With tears of joy._] My dear, kind father! HIALMAR. No, don’t call me that. Here have I been feasting at the rich man’s table,—battening at the groaning board——! And I couldn’t even——! GINA. [_Sitting at the table._] Oh nonsense, nonsense, Ekdal.