“There does not appear to be room for a mother in your arrangement,” she said.
Her voice trembled, her eyes were large and angry. But Cordt rose and looked as calm as before:
“You went out of it, Adelheid. You did not wish to be there.”
She made no reply. She understood that he did not mean to consult her, to ask her for her help ... did not even want it.
“Adelheid ... now that Finn is coming....”
“Yes?...”
“I am afraid for him, Adelheid. And I would ask you to be on your guard and do him no harm. I believe that sometimes you smother his poor, dejected spirit. The peace which you have gained may be good in itself and good for you ... but he is young, you must remember. He is only at the start of life, he has no need for peace and resignation. What is a boon to you is death to him, perhaps....”
She took a step forward and raised her face close up to his:
“Now it has come to this, Cordt, that you think I am your enemy for Finn’s sake.”
“You may become so,” he said.