HEDVIG. Yes, it was by that foot the dog took hold of her. HIALMAR. But otherwise she hasn’t the least thing the matter with her; and that is simply marvellous for a creature that has a charge of shot in her body, and has been between a dog’s teeth—— GREGERS. [_With a glance at_ HEDVIG]——and that has lain in the depths of the sea—so long. HEDVIG. [_Smiling._] Yes. GINA. [_Laying the table._] That blessëd wild duck! What a lot of fuss you do make over her. HIALMAR. H'm;—will lunch soon be ready? GINA. Yes, directly. Hedvig, you must come and help me now. [GINA _and_ HEDVIG _go out into the kitchen._ HIALMAR. [_In a low voice._] I think you had better not stand there looking in at father; he doesn’t like it. [GREGERS _moves away from the garret door._] Besides I may as well shut up before the others come. [_Claps his hands to drive the fowls back._] Shh—shh, in with you! [_Draws up the curtain and pulls the doors together._] All the contrivances are my own invention. It’s really quite amusing to have things of this sort to potter with, and to put to rights when they get out of order. And it’s absolutely necessary, too; for Gina objects to having rabbits and fowls in the studio. GREGERS. To be sure; and I suppose the studio is your wife’s special department? HIALMAR. As a rule, I leave the everyday details of business to her; for then I can take refuge in the parlour and give my mind to more important things. GREGERS. What things may they be, Hialmar? HIALMAR. I wonder you have not asked that question sooner. But perhaps you haven’t heard of the invention? GREGERS. The invention? No. HIALMAR. Really? Have you not? Oh no, out there in the wilds—— GREGERS. So you have invented something, have you? HIALMAR. It is not quite completed yet; but I am working at it. You can easily imagine that when I resolved to devote myself to photography, it wasn’t simply with the idea of taking likenesses of all sorts of commonplace people. GREGERS. No; your wife was saying the same thing just now. HIALMAR. I swore that if I consecrated my powers to this handicraft, I would so exalt it that it should become both an art and a science. And to that end I determined to make this great invention. GREGERS. And what is the nature of the invention? What purpose does it serve?