William.
There, you see, this is my real self. I need only for one moment to forget my part, the part I play before you and my true self appears. You can’t bear me as I really am. You cry, and you would cry, year out, year in, if I did not have pity on you.—No, Ida, it must come to an end between us. I’ve come to that fixed resolve.
Ida (throwing herself on his neck).
That’s not true! That is not, that never shall be true.
William.
Think what you have seen here to-day; shall we start the game afresh?—Shall we build this home again?
Ida.
It would be different! It would be better, William.
William.