Ida.
It crushes my heart. I would like not to ask you—but something must—something’s the matter, Willy!
William.
Nothing. I want to be out there in solitude again. That is where I should be. Our place is there, Ida.
Ida.
Why?—I can’t understand.
William (hastily and violently).
Yes, yes, yes—the old story—: I don’t understand, I don’t understand!—Mother and father have spoken different languages all their lives; you don’t understand, you don’t know me! You have stale schoolgirl illusions and I have nothing more to do with all that, only to hide away from you, hide—hide away, until there’s nothing of me but the miserable traitor and scoundrel—
[Ida, after looking dazed at William, bursts into tears.