GREGERS. [_With a gesture of refusal._] No, no thank you. HIALMAR. [_Still melancholy._] Well, you can bring in a little all the same. If you have a crust, that is all I want. And plenty of butter on it, mind. [HEDVIG _nods gaily and goes out into the kitchen again._ GREGERS. [_Who has been following her with his eyes._] She seems quite strong and healthy otherwise. GINA. Yes. In other ways there’s nothing amiss with her, thank goodness. GREGERS. She promises to be very like you, Mrs. Ekdal. How old is she now? GINA. Hedvig is close on fourteen; her birthday is the day after to-morrow. GREGERS. She is pretty tall for her age, then. GINA. Yes, she’s shot up wonderful this last year. GREGERS. It makes one realise one’s own age to see these young people growing up.—How long is it now since you were married? GINA. _We’ve_ been married—let me see—just on fifteen years. GREGERS. Is it so long as that? GINA. [_Becomes attentive; looks at him._] Yes, it is indeed. HIALMAR. Yes, so it is. Fifteen years all but a few months. [_Changing his tone._] They must have been long years for you, up at the works, Gregers. GREGERS. They seemed long while I was living them; now they are over, I hardly know how the time has gone. [OLD EKDAL _comes from his room without his pipe, but with his old-fashioned uniform cap on his head; his gait is somewhat unsteady._ EKDAL. Come now, Hialmar, let’s sit down and have a good talk about this—h’m—what was it again? HIALMAR. [_Going towards him._] Father, we have a visitor here—Gregers Werle.—I don’t know if you remember him. EKDAL. [_Looking at GREGERS, who has risen._] Werle? Is that the son? What does he want with me? HIALMAR. Nothing; it’s me he has come to see. EKDAL. Oh! Then there’s nothing wrong? HIALMAR. No, no, of course not. EKDAL. [_With a large gesture._] Not that I'm afraid, you know; but—— GREGERS. [_Goes over to him._] I bring you a greeting from your old hunting-grounds, Lieutenant Ekdal. EKDAL. Hunting-grounds? GREGERS. Yes, up in Höidal, about the works, you know. EKDAL.