KROGSTAD.
I shouldn’t have thought so.
MRS LINDE.
No, you have never properly understood me.
KROGSTAD.
Was there anything else to understand except what was obvious to all the world—a heartless woman jilts a man when a more lucrative chance turns up?
MRS LINDE.
Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that? And do you believe that I did it with a light heart?
KROGSTAD.
Didn’t you?
MRS LINDE.
Nils, did you really think that?
KROGSTAD.
If it were as you say, why did you write to me as you did at the time?
MRS LINDE.
I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you, it was my duty also to put an end to all that you felt for me.
KROGSTAD.
[wringing his hands]. So that was it. And all this—only for the sake of money!
MRS LINDE.
You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We couldn’t wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed hopeless then.