cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

HANNE.
I do not actually know him. That is to say, I know him, but he does not know me. You
see, last year I was at Fru Norager's house in Soro for a couple of days at the same time he
was there. On one occasion there was a very large company of ladies and gentlemen from
the district at dinner, and among them was Adolf. At that time he was living on a farm in
the vicinity.
LOUISE.
Well, but didn't you take the opportunity to make his acquaintance then?
HANNE.
How can you imagine that he would notice me. I was so young then.
LOUISE.
Yes, that's true, you were exactly one year younger then, or about 16 years old.
HANNE.
And besides, he was always surrounded by so many people. At the table I sat far away
from him, and later it was as though I was afraid to come near him. I didn't even have the
courage to tell the others that I was related to him.
What do you think of him?
LOUISE.
HANNE.
Oh, he's handsome! And he is certainly a very charming person. Everything he said, and
everything he did suited him so well. I cannot possibly believe that he is as abandoned as
Brandt says. Besides, he was so restrained; everyone spoke so well of him. And
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