Act 5, Part 1 Summary

Gina is about to start cleaning up the studio when Hedwig runs in with the news that Relling had two people, one of which was probably Hjalmar, with him when he came home the night before. Just then, Old Ekdal comes in, looking for Hjalmar. When he finds out that Hjalmar isn't around, he goes into the back room and shuts the door behind him. As Hedwig wonders what he'll do when he finds out that Hjalmar isn't coming back, Gregers comes in, followed shortly by Relling, who reveals that Hjalmar is downstairs in his apartment sleeping. At first Gregers can't believe it, but then says that someone who's had the kind of spiritual upheaval that Hjalmar has probably needs sleep. Relling says it's not about spiritual upheaval; it's about having gotten drunk the night before. Gina and Hedwig go out...