No mistake about it. But then he went into the timber trade or something of the sort. They say he once played Mr. Werle a very nasty trick. They were partners in the Höidal works at the time. Oh, I know old Ekdal well, I do. Many a nip of bitters and bottle of ale we two have drunk at Madam Eriksen’s. JENSEN. He don’t look as if he’d much to stand treat with. PETTERSEN. Why, bless you, Jensen, it’s me that stands treat. I always think there’s no harm in being a bit civil to folks that have seen better days. JENSEN. Did he go bankrupt then? PETTERSEN. Worse than that. He went to prison. JENSEN. To prison! PETTERSEN. Or perhaps it was the Penitentiary. [_Listens._] Sh! They’re leaving the table. _The dining-room door is thrown open from within, by a couple of waiters._ MRS. SÖRBY _comes out conversing with two gentlemen. Gradually the whole company follows, amongst them_ WERLE. _Last come_ HIALMAR EKDAL _and_ GREGERS WERLE. MRS. SÖRBY. [_In passing, to the servant._] Tell them to serve the coffee in the music-room, Pettersen. PETTERSEN. Very well, Madam. [_She goes with the two Gentlemen into the inner room, and thence out to the right._ PETTERSEN _and_ JENSEN _go out the same way._ A FLABBY GENTLEMAN. [_To a THIN-HAIRED GENTLEMAN._] Whew! What a dinner!—It was no joke to do it justice! THE THIN-HAIRED GENTLEMAN. Oh, with a little good-will one can get through a lot in three hours. THE FLABBY GENTLEMAN. Yes, but afterwards, afterwards, my dear Chamberlain! A THIRD GENTLEMAN. I hear the coffee and maraschino are to be served in the music-room. THE FLABBY GENTLEMAN. Bravo! Then perhaps Mrs. Sörby will play us something. THE THIN-HAIRED GENTLEMAN. [_In a low voice._] I hope Mrs. Sörby mayn’t play us a tune we don’t like, one of these days! THE FLABBY GENTLEMAN. Oh no, not she! Bertha will never turn against her old friends. [_They laugh and pass into the inner room._ WERLE. [_In a low voice, dejectedly._] I don’t think anybody noticed it, Gregers. GREGERS. [_Looks at him._] Noticed what? WERLE. Did you not notice it either? GREGERS. What do you mean? WERLE. We were thirteen at table. GREGERS. Indeed? Were there thirteen of us? WERLE.