Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/385

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Ballested.

Why, that's just the case of my mermaid!

Ellida.

Very like it, yes.

Ballested.

Only with this difference, that the mermaid—she dies of it. Human beings, on the contrary—they can acclam—accli—matise themselves. Yes, I assure you, Mrs. Wangel, they can ac-cli-matise themselves.

Ellida.

Yes, in freedom they can, Mr. Ballested.

Wangel.

And under full responsibility, dear Ellida.

Ellida.

[Quickly, holding out her hand to him.] That is the secret.

[The great steamer glides noiselessly down the fiord. The music is heard closer inshore.

THE END.