"Henrik Ibsen - The Wild Duck" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ibsen Henrik)

The Flabby Gentleman.
Bravo! Then perhaps Mrs. Sorby will play us something.
The Thin-haired Gentleman (in a low voice).
I hope Mrs. Sorby 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 (glances towards HIALMAR EKDAL).
Our usual party is twleve. (To the others.) This way, gentlemen!
WERLE and the others, all except HIALMAR and GREGERS, go out by the back, to the
right.
Hialmar (who has overheard the conversation).
You ought not to have invited me, Gregers.
Gregers.
What! Not ask my best and only friend to a party supposed to be in my honour — ?

Hialmar.
But I don't think your father likes it. You see I am quite outside his circle.
Gregers.
So I hear. But I wanted to see you and have a talk with you, and I certainly
shan't be staying long. — Ah, we two old schoolfellows have drifted far apart
from each other. It must be sixteen or seventeen years since we met.
Hialmar.
Is it so long?
Gregers.
It is indeed. Well, how goes it with you? You look well. You have put on flesh,
and grown almost stout.
Hialmar.
Well, "stout" is scarcely the word; but I daresay I look a little more of a man
than I used to.
Gregers.
Yes, you do; your outer man is in first-rate condition.
Hialmar (in a tone of gloom).
Ah, but the inner man! That is a very different matter, I can tell you! Of
course you know of the terrible catastrophe that has befallen me and mine since
last we met.
Gregers (more softly).
How are things going with your father now?