1896 PERSONS. The Dramatic Poet . An Old Critic . His Niece . The Leading Lady (retired). The Ex-Manager of the Her Son . Court Theater . A Maid-servant . A domestic interior in the environs of one of the Northern capitals. A bookcase full of pompous old volumes. A desk crammed with dusty and disordered papers. A floor-rug littered with journals from which excerpts have been made by hasty tearing or clipping. Present: the Maid-servant , who has an idle duster in one hand and a packet of manuscript in the other. ( considering the packet of manuscript ). Contains 93 words in 5 sentences using 452 chars . Contains 22 words in 2 sentences using 110 chars . Contains 22 words in 2 sentences using 115 chars . Contains 22 words in 3 sentences using 124 chars . Contains 27 words in 3 sentences using 137 chars . [The street-door opens suddenly. Enter, briskly, the Poet's Niece , returned from a walk. She advances directly toward the Maid-servant Contains 23 words in 2 sentences using 114 chars . Contains 41 words in 4 sentences using 223 chars . Contains 25 words in 3 sentences using 122 chars . ( snatching a letter from the corner of the Poet's desk ). Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 69 chars . Contains 37 words in 4 sentences using 187 chars . Contains 48 words in 3 sentences using 242 chars . Contains 20 words in 2 sentences using 91 chars . Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 82 chars . Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 5 chars . Contains 23 words in 2 sentences using 114 chars . Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 11 chars . Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 8 chars . Contains 8 words in 2 sentences using 44 chars . Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 7 chars . ( taking the manuscript ). Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 20 chars . Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 16 chars . Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 27 chars . Contains 30 words in 2 sentences using 162 chars . Contains 25 words in 2 sentences using 160 chars . Contains 30 words in 5 sentences using 157 chars . Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 136 chars . Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 8 chars . ( reading the letter ). Contains 90 words in 14 sentences using 530 chars . Contains 9 words in 1 sentence using 43 chars . Contains 11 words in 3 sentences using 72 chars . Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 38 chars . Contains 20 words in 3 sentences using 115 chars . Contains 41 words in 4 sentences using 191 chars . Contains 18 words in 3 sentences using 100 chars . Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 58 chars . Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 63 chars . Contains 46 words in 5 sentences using 256 chars . [Enter the Dramatic Poet — a small, thin, sour and discontented man. He falls straightway upon the morning's mail, regardless of his Niece , who hovers in the background with her attention divided between her own letter and Lisbeth's manuscript.] Contains 49 words in 5 sentences using 303 chars . Contains 68 words in 4 sentences using 365 chars . Contains 69 words in 4 sentences using 394 chars . Contains 45 words in 8 sentences using 223 chars . Contains 118 words in 20 sentences using 716 chars . Contains 34 words in 6 sentences using 182 chars . Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 74 chars . Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 42 chars . Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 47 chars . Contains 31 words in 2 sentences using 198 chars . Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 26 chars . Contains 15 words in 4 sentences using 72 chars . Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 16 chars . Contains 12 words in 4 sentences using 69 chars . Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 38 chars . Contains 24 words in 4 sentences using 118 chars . Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 35 chars . Contains 32 words in 4 sentences using 166 chars . Contains 18 words in 2 sentences using 102 chars . Contains 17 words in 3 sentences using 91 chars . Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 4 chars . Contains 29 words in 3 sentences using 140 chars . Contains 13 words in 3 sentences using 75 chars . Contains 2 words in 2 sentences using 10 chars . Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 30 chars . Contains 10 words in 3 sentences using 51 chars . Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 57 chars . Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 8 chars . Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 56 chars . Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 51 chars . Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 62 chars . Contains 2 words in 2 sentences using 12 chars . Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 24 chars . Contains 15 words in 3 sentences using 76 chars . Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 13 chars . Contains 255 words in 39 sentences using 1534 chars . Contains 51 words in 4 sentences using 288 chars . Contains 101 words in 14 sentences using 596 chars . ( whose attention is drawn by his signs of surprise and dismay ). Contains 36 words in 3 sentences using 215 chars . Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 57 chars . Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 26 chars . Contains 14 words in 3 sentences using 69 chars . Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 48 chars . Contains 21 words in 3 sentences using 102 chars . Contains 38 words in 1 sentence using 194 chars . Contains 36 words in 4 sentences using 194 chars . Contains 24 words in 6 sentences using 148 chars . Contains 62 words in 7 sentences using 327 chars . ( to Lisbeth ). Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 55 chars . Lisbeth quickly brings the disordered room to rights, — desk, bookcase, rug. A knock at the street-door. Enter the Leading Lady and her Son — both dressed in black.] ( with a deference that approaches solemnity ). Contains 50 words in 7 sentences using 255 chars . Lisbeth passes out. The new-comers take chairs and look about the room with a mournful interest.] Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 49 chars . Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 63 chars . Contains 29 words in 3 sentences using 138 chars . Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 47 chars . Contains 8 words in 2 sentences using 43 chars . Contains 27 words in 2 sentences using 132 chars . Contains 17 words in 3 sentences using 90 chars . [Another knock at the street-door. Two elderly men, also in black, are admitted by Lisbeth . Inasmuch as they advance direct toward the Leading Lady, Lisbeth yields them to her and withdraws. But they speak no word; they shake her hand and then dejectedly seat themselves close to each other on the opposite side of the room. — A long pause.] Contains 17 words in 2 sentences using 83 chars . Contains 13 words in 1 sentence using 66 chars . Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 125 chars . Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 41 chars . Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 36 chars . Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 21 chars . Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 25 chars . Contains 20 words in 2 sentences using 102 chars . Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 101 chars . Contains 34 words in 3 sentences using 202 chars . Contains 21 words in 2 sentences using 98 chars . Contains 20 words in 4 sentences using 114 chars . Contains 22 words in 3 sentences using 92 chars . Contains 18 words in 3 sentences using 84 chars . Contains 30 words in 3 sentences using 157 chars . Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 91 chars . [The door opens. They lapse into a decorous silence. Elsa enters. Waldemar hastens across to her and takes her hand.] Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 46 chars . Contains 27 words in 4 sentences using 153 chars . Contains 44 words in 4 sentences using 245 chars . Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 53 chars . Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 29 chars . Contains 32 words in 4 sentences using 153 chars . Contains 21 words in 2 sentences using 102 chars . Contains 18 words in 4 sentences using 82 chars . Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 9 chars . Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 56 chars . Contains 23 words in 3 sentences using 110 chars . Contains 25 words in 4 sentences using 143 chars . [They seat themselves side by side; all five preserve the deepest silence. The Poet enters, deep in Lisbeth's manuscript.] ( unconscious of any presence ). Contains 45 words in 4 sentences using 262 chars . [He starts suddenly at sight of a roomful of strangers. The three elder ones rise and advance toward him with faces full of deep commiseration.] Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 24 chars . Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 53 chars . Contains 13 words in 1 sentence using 57 chars . [The Poet , coming to himself and to the situation, bows with an air of shocked solemnity.] Contains 15 words in 3 sentences using 91 chars . Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 67 chars . Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 61 chars . [The Poet looks from one to another out of the midst of a maze of conflicting emotions.] Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 31 chars . Contains 9 words in 1 sentence using 44 chars . Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 37 chars . [The Poet bows gravely and turns away his face.] Contains 23 words in 3 sentences using 121 chars . Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 73 chars . Contains 13 words in 1 sentence using 73 chars . Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 40 chars . Contains 33 words in 4 sentences using 160 chars . ( taking up the part of the Roman father ). Contains 26 words in 7 sentences using 128 chars . Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 61 chars . ( breaking in ). Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 128 chars . Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 67 chars . ( proceeding in the person of the Roman lover, while Waldemar and Elsa look on and listen with a fascinated interest ). Contains 31 words in 2 sentences using 163 chars . Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 54 chars . [He opens the book with quick decision and places it in the Ex-Manager's hand; the three parts are then carried on to the satisfaction of the Critic , the eager interest of Waldemar and Elsa , and the intense delight of Lisbeth, who (poised in the doorway) finds herself fully in her element at last.] ( after many cues have been taken and many sounding lines recited ). Contains 27 words in 3 sentences using 148 chars . Contains 44 words in 5 sentences using 233 chars . Contains 51 words in 3 sentences using 234 chars . Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 19 chars . Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 42 chars . Contains 21 words in 2 sentences using 97 chars . ( as the Poet hesitates ). Contains 9 words in 1 sentence using 42 chars . Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 56 chars . Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 51 chars . Contains 23 words in 2 sentences using 109 chars . Contains 41 words in 5 sentences using 202 chars . ( pointing to Lisbeth in the doorway ). Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 17 chars . Contains 10 words in 3 sentences using 57 chars . ( advancing ). Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 127 chars . Contains 15 words in 2 sentences using 89 chars . ( holding Elsa's hand ). Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 36 chars . Contains 27 words in 3 sentences using 129 chars . ( holding Gertrude Kronborg's hand ). Contains 17 words in 1 sentence using 85 chars .