Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/52

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Miss Tesman.

I have given a mortgage on our annuity.

Tesman.

[Jumps up.] What! On your—and Aunt Rina's annuity!

Miss Tesman.

Yes, I knew of no other plan, you see.

Tesman.

[Placing himself before her.] Have you gone out of your senses, Auntie! Your annuity—it's all that you and Aunt Rina have to live upon.

Miss Tesman.

Well well—don't get so excited about it. It's only a matter of form you know—Judge Brack assured me of that. It was he that was kind enough to arrange the whole affair for me. A mere matter of form, he said.

Tesman.

Yes, that may be all very well. But never-*theless——

Miss Tesman.

You will have your own salary to depend upon now. And, good heavens, even if we did have to pay up a little——! To eke things out a bit at the start——! Why, it would be nothing but a pleasure to us.

Tesman.

Oh Auntie—will you never be tired of making sacrifices for me!

Miss Tesman.

[Rises and lays her hand on his shoulders.] Have