Here, on the sofa. Make yourself comfortable. [GREGERS _seats himself on the sofa;_ HIALMAR _takes a chair at the table._ GREGERS. [_Looking around him._] So these are your quarters, Hialmar—this is your home. HIALMAR. This is the studio, as you see—— GINA. But it’s the largest of our rooms, so we generally sit here. HIALMAR. We used to live in a better place; but this flat has one great advantage: there are such capital outer rooms—— GINA. And we have a room on the other side of the passage that we can let. GREGERS. [_To HIALMAR._] Ah—so you have lodgers too? HIALMAR. No, not yet. They’re not so easy to find, you see; you have to keep your eyes open. [_To_ HEDVIG.] What about that beer, eh? [HEDVIG _nods and goes out into the kitchen._ GREGERS. So that is your daughter? HIALMAR. Yes, that is HEDVIG. GREGERS. And she is your only child? HIALMAR. Yes, the only one. She is the joy of our lives, and—[_lowering his voice_]—at the same time our deepest sorrow, Gregers. GREGERS. What do you mean? HIALMAR. She is in serious danger of losing her eyesight. GREGERS. Becoming blind? HIALMAR. Yes. Only the first symptoms have appeared as yet, and she may not feel it much for some time. But the doctor has warned us. It is coming, inexorably. GREGERS. What a terrible misfortune! How do you account for it? HIALMAR. [_Sighs._] Hereditary, no doubt. GREGERS. [_Starting._] Hereditary? GINA. Ekdal’s mother had weak eyes. HIALMAR. Yes, so my father says; I can’t remember her. GREGERS. Poor child! And how does she take it? HIALMAR. Oh, you can imagine we haven’t the heart to tell her of it. She dreams of no danger. Gay and careless and chirping like a little bird, she flutters onward into a life of endless night. [_Overcome._] Oh, it is cruelly hard on me, Gregers. [HEDVIG _brings a tray with beer and glasses, which she sets upon the table._ HIALMAR. [_Stroking her hair._] Thanks, thanks, Hedvig. [HEDVIG _puts her arm round his neck and whispers in his ear._ HIALMAR. No, no bread and butter just now. [_Looks up._] But perhaps you would like some, Gregers.