I? To die in the dark? Look here, Gregers, you must really leave off talking such nonsense. GREGERS. Don’t be afraid; I shall find a way to help you up again. I too have a mission in life now; I found it yesterday. HIALMAR. That’s all very well; but you will please leave _me_ out of it. I can assure you that—apart from my very natural melancholy, of course—I am as contented as any one can wish to be. GREGERS. Your contentment is an effect of the marsh poison. HIALMAR. Now, my dear Gregers, pray do not go on about disease and poison; I am not used to that sort of talk. In my house nobody ever speaks to me about unpleasant things. GREGERS. Ah, _that_ I can easily believe. HIALMAR. It’s not good for me you see. And there _are_ no marsh poisons here, as you express it. The poor photographer’s roof is lowly, I know—and my circumstances are narrow. But I am an inventor, and I am the breadwinner of a family. That exalts me above my mean surroundings.—Ah, here comes lunch! GINA _and_ HEDVIG _bring bottles of ale, a decanter of brandy, glasses, etc. At the same time,_ RELLING _and_ MOLVIK _enter from the passage; they are both without hat or overcoat._ MOLVIK _is dressed in black._ GINA. [_Placing the things upon the table._] Ah, you two have come in the nick of time. RELLING. Molvik got it into his head that he could smell herring-salad, and then there was no holding him.—Good morning again, Ekdal. HIALMAR. Gregers, let me introduce you to Mr. Molvik. Doctor—— Oh, you know Relling, don’t you? GREGERS. Yes, slightly. RELLING. Oh, Mr. Werle, junior! Yes, we two have had one or two little skirmishes up at the Höidal works. You’ve just moved in? GREGERS. I moved in this morning. RELLING. Molvik and I live right under you; so you haven’t far to go for the doctor and the clergyman, if you should need anything in that line. GREGERS. Thanks, it’s not quite unlikely; for yesterday we were thirteen at table. HIALMAR. Oh, come now, don’t let us get upon unpleasant subjects again! RELLING. You may make your mind easy, Ekdal; I'll be hanged if the finger of fate points to you. HIALMAR. I should hope not, for the sake of my family. But let us sit down now, and eat and drink and be merry. GREGERS. Shall we not wait for your father? HIALMAR.