Little Eyolf

by Henrik Ibsen

RITA. Where are they mooring her this evening, then?

ALLMERS. [Coming forward.] At the pier, as usual—

RITA. [Drawing herself up.] How can they moor her there!

ALLMERS. They must.

RITA. But it was there that Eyolf—! How can they moor her there!

ALLMERS. Yes, life is pitiless, Rita.

RITA. Men are heartless. They take no thought—whether for the living or for the dead.

ALLMERS. There you are right. Life goes its own way—just as if nothing in the world had happened.

RITA. [Gazing straight before her.] And nothing has happened, either. Not to others. Only to us two.

ALLMERS. [The pain re-awakening.] Yes, Rita—so it was to no purpose that you bore him in sorrow and anguish. For now he is gone again—and has left no trace behind him.