[_To RELLING._] But how do you account for that? RELLING. [_Sullenly._] Her constitution’s changing, sir. HIALMAR. So long as the child has _me_——! So long as _I_ am above ground——! _A knock at the door._ GINA. Hush, Ekdal; there’s some one in the passage. [_Calls out._] Come in! [MRS. SÖRBY, _in walking dress, comes in._ MRS. SÖRBY. Good evening. GINA. [_Going towards her_]. Is it really you, Bertha? MRS. SÖRBY. Yes, of course it is. But I'm disturbing you, I'm afraid? HIALMAR. No, not at all; an emissary from _that_ house—— MRS. SÖRBY. [_To GINA._] To tell the truth, I hoped your men-folk would be out at this time. I just ran up to have a little chat with you, and to say good-bye. GINA. Good-bye? Are you going away, then? MRS. SÖRBY. Yes, to-morrow morning,—up to Höidal. Mr. Werle started this afternoon. [_Lightly to GREGERS._] He asked me to say good-bye for him. GINA. Only fancy——! HIALMAR. So Mr. Werle has gone? And now you are going after him? MRS. SÖRBY Yes, what do you say to _that_, Ekdal? HIALMAR. I say: beware! GREGERS. I must explain the situation. My father and Mrs. Sörby are going to be married. HIALMAR. Going to be married! GINA. Oh Bertha! So it’s come to that at last! RELLING. [_His voice quivering a little._] This is surely not true? MRS. SÖRBY. Yes, my dear Relling, it’s true enough. RELLING. You are going to marry again? MRS. SÖRBY. Yes, it looks like it. Werle has got a special licence, and we are going to be married quite quietly, up at the works. GREGERS. Then I must wish you all happiness, like a dutiful stepson. MRS. SÖRBY. Thank you very much—if you mean what you say. I certainly hope it will lead to happiness, both for Werle and for me. RELLING. You have every reason to hope that. Mr. Werle never gets drunk—so far as I know; and I don’t suppose he’s in the habit of thrashing his wives, like the late lamented horse-doctor. MRS. SÖRBY. Come now, let Sörby rest in peace. He had his good points too. RELLING. Mr. Werle has better ones, I have no doubt.