Mr Punch's Pocket Ibsen – A Collection of Some of the Master's Best Known Dramas

"PREFATORY NOTE"

The concluding piece, "Pill-Doctor Herdal," is, as the observant reader will instantly perceive, rather a reverent attempt to tread in the footprints of the Norwegian dramatist, than a version of any actually existing masterpiece. The author is conscious that his imitation is painfully lacking in the mysterious obscurity of the original, that the vein of allegorical symbolism is thinner throughout than it should be, and that the characters are not nearly so mad as persons invariably are in real life – but these are the faults inevitable to a prentice hand, and he trusts that due allowances may be made for them by the critical.

In conclusion he wishes to express his acknowledgments to Messrs. Bradbury and Agnew for their permission to reprint the present volume, the contents of which made their original appearance in the pages of "Punch"

ROSMERSHÖLM

ACT FIRST

Sitting-room at Rosmershölm, with a stove, flower-stand, windows, ancient and modern ancestors, doors, and everything handsome about it. Rebecca West is sitting knitting a large antimacassar which is nearly finished. Now and then she looks out of a window, and smiles and nods expectantly to someone outside. Madam Helseth is laying the table for supper.

Rebecca

[Folding up her work slowly.] But tell me precisely, what about this white horse?

[Smiling quietly

Madam Helseth

Lord forgive you, Miss! – [fetching cruet-stand, and placing it on table] – but you're making fun of me!

Rebecca

[Gravely.] No, indeed. Nobody makes fun at Rosmershölm. Mr. Rosmer would not understand it. [Shutting window.] Ah, here is Rector Kroll. [Opening door.] You will stay to supper, will you not, Rector, and I will tell them to give us some little extra dish.

Kroll

[Hanging up his hat in the hall.] Many thanks. [Wipes his boots.] May I come in? [Comes in, puts down his stick, sits down, and looks about him.] And how do you and Rosmer get on together, eh?

Rebecca

Ever since your sister, Beata, went mad and jumped into the mill-race, we have been as happy as two little birds together. [After a pause, sitting down in arm-chair.] So you don't really mind my living here all alone with Rosmer? We were afraid you might, perhaps.

Kroll

Why, how on earth – on the contrary, I shouldn't object at all if you – [looks at her meaningly] – h'm!

Rebecca

[Interrupting, gravely.] For shame, Rector; how can you make such jokes?

Kroll

[As if surprised.] Jokes! We do not joke in these parts – but here is Rosmer.

[Enter Rosmer, gently and softly

Rosmer

So, my dear old friend, you have come again, after a year's absence. [Sits down.] We almost thought that —

Kroll

[Nods.] So Miss West was saying – but you are quite mistaken. I merely thought I might remind you, if I came, of our poor Beata's suicide, so I kept away. We Norwegians are not without our simple tact.

Rosmer

It was considerate – but unnecessary. Reb – I mean, Miss West – and I often allude to the incident, do we not?

Rebecca

[Strikes Tändstickor.] Oh yes, indeed. [Lighting lamp.] Whenever we feel a little more cheerful than usual.

Kroll

You dear good people! [Wanders up the room.] I came because the Spirit of Revolt has crept into my School. A Secret Society has existed for weeks in the Lower Third! To-day it has come to my knowledge that a booby trap was prepared for me by the hand of my own son, Laurits, and I then discovered that a hair had been inserted in my cane by my daughter Hilda! The only way in which a right-minded Schoolmaster can combat this anarchic and subversive spirit is to start a newspaper, and I thought that you, as a weak, credulous, inexperienced and impressionable kind of man, were the very person to be the Editor.

[Rebecca laughs softly, as if to herself

Rosmer jumps up and sits down again

Rebecca

[With a look at Rosmer.] Tell him now!

Rosmer

[Returning the look.] I can't – Some other evening. Well, perhaps – [To Kroll.] I can't be your Editor – because [in a low voice] I – I am on the side of Laurits and Hilda!

Kroll

[Looks from one to the other, gloomily.] H'm!

Rosmer

Yes. Since we last met, I have changed my views. I am going to create a new democracy, and awaken it to its true task of making all the people of this country noblemen, by freeing their wills, and purifying their minds!

Kroll

What do you mean!

[Takes up his hat

Rosmer

[Bowing his head.] I don't quite know, my dear friend; it was Reb – I should say Miss West's scheme.

Kroll

H'm! [A suspicion appears in his face.] Now I begin to believe that what Beata said about schemes – no matter. But under the circumstances, I will not stay to supper.

[Takes up his stick, and walks out

Rosmer

I told you he would be annoyed. I shall go to bed now. I don't want any supper. [He lights a candle, and goes out; presently his footsteps are heard overhead, as he undresses. Rebecca pulls a bell-rope.

Rebecca

[To Madam Helseth, who enters with dishes.] No, Mr. Rosmer will not have supper to-night. [In a lighter tone.] Perhaps he is afraid of the nightmare. There are so many sorts of White Horses in this world!

Madam Helseth

[Shaking.] Lord! lord! that Miss West – the things she does say!

[Rebecca goes out through door, knitting antimacassar thoughtfully, as Curtain falls

ACT SECOND

Rosmer's study. Doors and windows, bookshelves, a writing-table. Door, with curtain, leading to Rosmer's bedroom. Rosmer discovered in a smoking jacket cutting a pamphlet with a paper-knife. There is a knock at the door. Rosmer says "Come in." Rebecca enters in a morning wrapper and curl-papers. She sits on a chair close to Rosmer, and looks over his shoulder as he cuts the leaves. Rector Kroll is shown up.

Kroll

[Lays his hat on the table and looks at Rebecca from head to foot.] I am really afraid that I am in the way.

Rebecca

[Surprised.] Because I am in my morning wrapper and curl-papers? You forget that I am emancipated, Rector Kroll.

[She leaves them and listens behind curtain in Rosmer's bedroom

Rosmer

Yes, Miss West and I have worked our way forward in faithful comradeship.

Kroll

[Shakes his head at him slowly.] So I perceive. Miss West is naturally inclined to be forward. But, I say, really you know – However, I came to tell you that poor Beata was not so mad as she looked, though flowers did bewilder her so. [Taking off his gloves meaningly.] She jumped into the mill-race because she had an idea that you ought to marry Miss West!

Rosmer

[Jumps half up from his chair.] I? Marry – Miss West! My good gracious, Kroll! I don't understand, it is most incomprehensible. [Looks fixedly before him.] How can people? – [Looks at him for a moment, then rises.] Will you get out? [Still quiet and self-restrained.] But first tell me why you never mentioned this before?

Kroll

Why? Because I thought you were both orthodox, which made all the difference. Now I know that you side with Laurits and Hilda, and mean to make the democracy into noblemen, and accordingly I intend to make it hot for you in my paper. Good morning!

[He slams the door with spite as Rebecca enters from bedroom

Rosmer

[As if surprised..] You – in my bedroom! You have been listening, dear? But you are so emancipated. Ah, well! so our pure and beautiful friendship has been misinterpreted, bespattered! Just because you wear a morning wrapper, and have lived here alone for a year, people with coarse souls and ignoble eyes make unpleasant remarks! But what really did drive Beata mad? Why did she jump into the mill-race? I'm sure we did everything we could to spare her! I made it the business of my life to keep her in ignorance of all our interests —didn't I, now?

Rebecca

You did. But why brood over it? What does it matter? Get on with your great beautiful task, dear – [approaching him cautiously from behind] – winning over minds and wills, and creating noblemen, you know —joyful noblemen!

Rosmer

[Walking about restlessly, as if in thought.] Yes, I know. I have never laughed in the whole course of my life – we Rosmers don't – and so I felt that spreading gladness and light, and making the democracy joyful, was properly my mission. But now– I feel too upset to go on, Rebecca, unless – [Shakes his head heavily.] Yes, an idea has just occurred to me – [Looks at her, and then runs his hands through his hair] – Oh, my goodness! No – I can't.

[He leans his elbows on table

Rebecca

Be a free man to the full, Rosmer – tell me your idea.

Rosmer

[Gloomily.] I don't know what you'll say to it. It's this: Our platonic comradeship was all very well while I was peaceful and happy. Now that I am bothered and badgered, I feel —why, I can't exactly explain, but I do feel that I must oppose a new and living reality to the gnawing memories of the past. I should perhaps, explain that this is equivalent to an Ibsenian proposal.

Rebecca

[Catches at the chair-back with joy.] How? at last– a rise at last! [Recollects herself.] But what am I about? Am I not an emancipated enigma? [Puts her hands over her ears as if in terror.] What are you saying? You mustn't. I can't think what you mean. Go away, do!

Rosmer

[Softly.] Be the new and living reality. It is the only way to put Beata out of the Saga. Shall we try it?

Rebecca

Never! Do not —do not ask me why – for I haven't a notion – but never! [Nods slowly to him and rises.] White Horses would not induce me! [With her hand on door-handle.] Now you know!

[She goes out

Rosmer

[Sits up, stares, thunderstruck, at the stove, and says to himself.] Well – I —am—

Quick Curtain

ACT THREE

Sitting-room at Rosmershölm. Sun shining outside in the Garden. Inside Rebecca West is watering a geranium with a small watering-pot. Her crochet antimacassar lies in the arm-chair. Madame Helseth is rubbing the chairs with furniture-polish from a large bottle. Enter Rosmer, with his hat and stick in his hand. Madame Helseth corks the bottle and goes out to the right.

Rebecca

Good morning, dear. [A moment after—crocheting.] Have you seen Rector Kroll's paper this morning? There's something about you in it.

Rosmer

Oh, indeed? [Puts down hat and stick, and takes up paper.] H'm! [Reads—then walks about the room.] Kroll has made it hot for me. [Reads some more.] Oh, this is too bad! Rebecca, they do say such nasty spiteful things! they actually call me a renegade – and I can't think why! They mustn't go on like this. All that is good in human nature will go to ruin if they're allowed to attack an excellent man like me! Only think, if I can make them see how unkind they have been!

Rebecca

Yes, dear, in that you have a great and glorious object to attain – and I wish you may get it!

Rosmer

Thanks. I think I shall. [Happens to look through window and jumps.] Ah, no, I shan't – never now, I have just seen —

Rebecca

Not the White Horse, dear? We must really not overdo that White Horse!

Rosmer

No – the mill-race, where Beata – [Puts on his hat—takes it off again.] I'm beginning to be haunted by – no, I don't mean the Horse – by a terrible suspicion that Beata may have been right after all! Yes, I do believe, now I come to think of it, that I must really have been in love with you from the first. Tell me your opinion.

Rebecca

[Struggling with herself, and still crocheting.] Oh – I can't exactly say – such an odd question to ask me!

Rosmer

[Shakes his head.] Perhaps; I have no sense of humour – no respectable Norwegian has– and I do want to know – because, you see, if I was in love with you, it was a sin, and if I once convinced myself of that —

[Wanders across the room

Rebecca

[Breaking out.] Oh, these old ancestral prejudices! Here is your hat, and your stick, too; go and take a walk.

[Rosmer takes hat and stick, first, then goes out and takes a walk; presently Madam Helseth appears, and tells Rebecca something. Rebecca tells her something. They whisper together. Madam Helseth nods, and shows in Rector Kroll, who keeps his hat in his hand, and sits on a chair.

Kroll

I merely called for the purpose of informing you that I consider you an artful and designing person, but that, on the whole, considering your birth and moral antecedents, you know – [nods at her] – it is not surprising. [Rebecca walks about wringing her hands.] Why, what is the matter? Did you really not know that you had no right to your father's name? I'd no idea you would mind my mentioning such a trifle!

Rebecca

[Breaking out.] I do mind. I am an emancipated enigma, but I retain a few little prejudices still. I don't like owning to my real age, and I do prefer to be legitimate. And, after your information – of which I was quite ignorant, as my mother, the late Mrs. Gamvik, never once alluded to it – I feel I must confess everything. Strong-minded advanced women are like that. Here is Rosmer. [Rosmer enters with his hat and stick.] Rosmer, I want to tell you and Rector Kroll a little story. Let us sit down, dear, all three of us. [They sit down, mechanically, on chairs.] A long time ago, before the play began – [in a voice scarcely audible] – in Ibsenite dramas, all the interesting things somehow do happen before the play begins – ;

Rosmer

But, Rebecca, I know all this.

Kroll

[Looks hard at her.] Perhaps I had better go?

Rebecca

No – I will be short. This was it. I wanted to take my share in the life of the New Era, and march onward with Rosmer. There was one dismal, insurmountable barrier – [to Rosmer, who nods gravely] – Beata! I understood where your deliverance lay – and I acted. I drove Beata into the mill-race… There!

Rosmer

[After a short silence.] H'm! Well, Kroll – [takes up his hat] – if you're thinking of walking home, I'll go too. I'm going to be orthodox once more – after this!

Kroll

[Severely and impressively, to Rebecca.] A nice sort of young woman you are! [Both go out hastily, without looking at Rebecca.

Rebecca

[Speaks to herself, under her breath.] Now I have done it. I wonder why. [Pulls bell-rope.] Madam Helseth, I have just had a glimpse of two rushing White Horses. Bring down my hair-trunk.

[Enter Madam Helseth, with large hair-trunk, as Curtain falls.