n today we'll talk more
fully about--the matter. Where's your father now? Not at home?

Bolette. Yes, he is. He must be down in the office. I'll fetch him.

Arnholm. No, thanks. Don't do that. I'd rather go down to him.

Bolette (listening). Wait one moment, Mr. Arnholm; I believe that's
father on the stairs. Yes, I suppose he's been up to look after her.

(WANGEL comes in from the door on the left.)

Wangel (shaking ARNHOLM'S hand). What, dear friend, are you here
already? It was good of you to come so early, for I should like to talk
a little further with you.

Bolette (to LYNGSTRAND). Hadn't we better go down to Hilde in the
garden?

Lyngstrand. I shall be delighted, Miss Wangel.

(He and BOLETTE go down into the garden, and pass out between the trees
in the background.)

Arnholm (following them with his eyes, turns to WANGEL). Do you know
anything about that young man?

Wangel. No, nothing at all.

Arnholm. But do you think it right he should knock about so much with
the girls?

Wangel. Does he? I really hadn't noticed it.

Arnholm. You ought to see to it, I think.

Wangel. Yes, I suppose you're right. But, good Lord! What's a man to
do? The girls are so accustomed to look after themselves now. They won't
listen to me, nor to Ellida.

Arnholm. Not to her either?

Wangel. No; and besides I really cannot expect Ellida to trouble about
such things. She's not fit for that (breaking off). But it wasn't that
which we were to talk of. Now tell me, have you thought the matter
over--thought over all I told you of?

Arnholm. I have thought of nothing else ever since we parted last night.

Wangel. And what do you think should be done?

Arnholm. Dear Wangel, I think you, as a doctor, must know that better
than I.

Wangel. Oh! if you only knew how difficult it is for a doctor to judge
rightly about a patient who is so dear to him! Besides, this is no
ordinary illness. No ordinary doctor and no ordinary medicines can help
her.

Arnholm. How is she today?

Wangel. I was upstairs with her just now, and then she seemed to me
quite calm; but behind all her moods something lies hidden which it
is impossible for me to fathom; and then she is so changeable, so
capricious--she varies so suddenly.

Arnholm. No doubt that is the result of her morbid state of mind.

Wangel. Not altogether. When you go down to the bedrock, it was born in
her. Ellida belongs to the sea-folk. That is the matter.

Arnholm. What