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The Lady from the Sea

by Henrik Ibsen

Pages
about 94
Category
Literature & Fiction
Language
English
Reading time
1.7 h at 250 wpm
Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 58 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

(SCENE.--DOCTOR WANGEL'S house, with a large verandah garden in front of and around the house. Under the verandah a flagstaff. In the garden an arbour, with table and chairs. Hedge, with small gate at the back. Beyond, a road along the seashore. An avenue of trees along the road. Between the trees are seen the fjord, high mountain ranges and peaks. A warm and brilliantly clear summer morning.

BALLESTED, middle-aged, wearing an old velvet jacket, and a broad-brimmed artist's hat, stands under the flagstaff, arranging the ropes. The flag is lying on the ground. A little way from him is an easel, with an outspread canvas. By the easel on a camp-stool, brushes, a palette, and box of colours.

BOLETTE WANGEL comes from the room opening on the verandah. She carries a large vase with flowers, which she puts down on the table.)

Ballested. Certainly, Miss Bolette, that's easy enough. May I ask--do you expect any visitors today?

Bolette. Yes, we're expecting Mr. Arnholm this morning. He got to town in the night.

Ballested. Arnholm? Wait a minute--wasn't Arnholm the man who was tutor here several years ago?

(BOLETTE goes into the room again. A little after LYNGSTRAND enters from the road and stands still, interested by the easel and painting gear. He is a slender youth, poorly but carefully dressed, and looks delicate.)

Ballested (turning round). Hallo! Good-morning. (Hoists up flag). That's it! Up goes the balloon. (Fastens the ropes, and then busies himself about the easel.) Good-morning, my dear sir. I really don't think I've the pleasure of--Lyngstrand. I'm sure you're a painter.

Lyngstrand. Yes, I can see you are. May I take the liberty of coming in a moment?

Ballested. Oh! there's nothing much to see yet. But come in. Come a little closer.

Ballested (painting). It's the fjord there between the islands I'm working at.

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