[_Throws herself into his arms, and helps herself to macaroons._] That will be fearfully thrilling! My--_my_ Manager!

DR. HERDAL.

[_Comes out very pale, from dispensary._] Hilda I _did_ take the---- I"m afraid I interrupt you?

HELMER.

Not in the least. But this lady is my little lark, and she is going back to her cage by the next steamer.

DR. HERDAL.

[_Bitterly._] Am I _never_ to have a gleam of happiness? But stay--do I see my little Senna once more?

RuBUB.

Pardon me--_my_ little Senna. She always believed so firmly in my pill!

DR. HERDAL.

Well--well. If it must be. Rubub, I will take you into partnership, and we will take out a patent for that pill, jointly. Aline, my poor dear Aline, let us try once more if we cannot bring a ray of brightness into our cheerless home!

MRS. HERDAL.

Oh, Haustus, if only we _could_--but why do you propose that to me--_now_?

DR. HERDAL.

[_Softly--to himself._] Because I have tried being a troll--and found that nothing came of it, and it wasn"t worth sixpence!

[HILDA-NORA _goes off to the right with_ HELMER; SENNA _to the left with_ RuBUB; Dr. HERDAL _and_ MRS. HERDAL _sit on two of the galvanised-iron chairs, and shake their heads disconsolately as the Curtain falls._

* * * * *

© 2024 www.topnovel.cc