Mark André ’s Reviews > The Wild Duck > Status Update

GREGERS. If you are right, and I am wrong, then life is not worth
living.

RELLING. Ah! life might be pleasant enough all the same, if only we
could be left in peace by those blessed duns who come worrying us poor
folk about the claims of the ideal.

GREGERS (_looking in front of him_). At any rate I am glad that my
destiny is what it is.

RELLING. Upon my soul I’ve not noticed any spiritual turmoil going on
in him.

GREGERS. What! At such a juncture, when a new foundation is being
laid for his whole life. Now, can you imagine that a man of Hjalmar’s
individuality----

RELLING. Oh! Individuality--he! If he ever had any tendencies to
the abnormal developments that you call individuality, they were
extirpated, root and branch, while he was yet a boy;

GREGERS. Do you pray in the morning, too?

HEDVIG. No, I don’t do that.

GREGERS. Why not in the morning as well?

HEDVIG. Oh! it’s light in the morning, and there’s nothing to be afraid
of.

HJALMAR (_laughing_). Ha--ha! If you weren’t Gregers Werle, what else
would you be?

GREGERS. If I had my choice, I should prefer being a clever dog.

GINA. A dog!

HEDVIG (_involuntarily_). Oh! not that!

GREGERS. Yes, a real uncommonly clever dog; . . .

Relling. Oh! Individuality — he! If he ever had any tendencies to the abnormal developments that you call individuality, they were extirpated, root and branch, while he was yet a boy; I can assure you of that.
Gregers. That would be strange after the loving care with which he was brought up.
Relling. You mean by those two affected, hysterical maiden aunts ?

HJALMAR. You must answer me this one question*.
Is Hedvig my child, or—? Well !
GiNA {looks at him with cold defiance). I don't know .
Hjalmar {shudders slightly). You don't know !
GiNA. How should I know ? Such a woman as l?

Hjalmab. It is good at times to ponder upon the seamy side of existence.

Gina. But tell me, Ekdal, what would have become of you if you had not found a wife like me?

Hjalmar. So you never cast a searching glance at your past ?

GiNA. Well, I suppose it's best you should know it. He didn't let me alone until he'd had his will of me.