Mrs. Tjaelde. Soon there will be no one else left to desert us; and we shall have nothing left that any one can rob us of, either.
Valborg (comes forward evidently labouring under great emotion). Yes, there is, mother; I mean to desert you.
Signe. You, Valborg? Desert us? You?
Valborg. Our home is going to be broken up, anyway. Each of us ought to shift for herself.
Signe. But what am I to do? I don't know how to do anything.
Mrs. Tjaelde (who has sunk back into her chair). What a bad mother I must have been, not to be able to keep my children together now!
Valborg (impetuously). You know we cannot stay together now! You know we cannot put up with living on the charity of our creditors; we have done that too long!
Mrs. Tjaelde. Hush, remember your father is in the room. (A pause.) What do you want to do, Valborg?
Valborg (after she has regained her self-control, quietly). I want to go into Mr. Holst's office, and learn commercial work—and keep myself.
Mrs. Tjaelde. You don't know what you are undertaking.