Pettersen.
Worse than that. He went to prison.
Jensen.
To prison!
Pettersen.
Or perhaps it was the Penitentiary. [Listens.] Sh! They're leaving the table.
The dining-room door is thrown open from within, by a couple of waiters. Mrs. Sörby comes out conversing with two gentlemen. Gradually the whole company follows, amongst them Werle. Last come Hialmar Ekdal and Gregers Werle.
Mrs. Sörby.
[In passing, to the servant.] Tell them to serve the coffee in the music-room, Pettersen.
Pettersen.
Very well, Madam.
[She goes with the two Gentlemen into the inner room, and thence out to the right. Pettersen and Jensen go out the same way.
A Flabby Gentleman.
[To a Thin-haired Gentleman.] Whew! What a dinner!—It was no joke to do it justice!
The Thin-Haired Gentleman.
Oh, with a little good-will one can get through a lot in three hours.
The Flabby Gentleman.
Yes, but afterwards, afterwards, my dear Chamberlain!
