Wild Duck Journal #4

Prompt: Diary entries from any of the characters

Diary Entry from Hjalmar

Dear Diary,
Last night was one of the most horrible experience I have ever had. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed; it was almost as bad as having to leave University. And all because of Father's cursed scandal!

Last night my old friend Gregers invited me to his homecoming party. It was quite an affair, as he has not come home from the Höidal mines in 15 years. I was not sure if I would go or not because of the scandal surrounding my father and Werle. Gregers convinced me to go in the end.

The Werle's home is so much nicer than my own that I felt out of place. I think some of the other guests were wondering why I was there at all. The dinner itself was not too horrible; the food they served was delicious and they had very fine wine. After dinner was over, we went into the study. Gregers and I stayed behind to talk, while the other guests left. I was unsure of how Gregers would feel towards me as a result of my father's scandal. Gregers' father left no doubt how he felt towards me; he practicaly ordered me to never speak to Gregers ever again.

I told Gregers what had happened in my  life since he had left. I told him how I stopped my university studies and started my own photography studio, all thanks to Werle's advice. What surprised me was that he did not know that I had married Gina Hansen, his old housekeeper. I thought Werle had written to him about the matter, but it appears that he did not mention it in detail or Gregers did not pay close attention to them.

The guests came back and Werle suggested a toast. All of a sudden, one of the secretaries comes through the study with Father in tow! Everyone stopped talking immediately. I have never felt so embarrassed. Father, the instigator of that horrible disgrace, walking through Werle's study! I just could not face him. Gregers attacked me later, for not acknowledging mt own father. But how could I? Gregers does not know what it feels like. Let us see how he acts when his father is disgraced.

I will write again later.

Hjalmar