RITA. Only the crutch was saved.
ALLMERS. [Angrily.] Be silent! Do not let me hear that word!
RITA. [Plaintively.] Oh, I cannot bear the thought that he is gone from us.
ALLMERS. [Coldly and bitterly.] You could very well do without him while he was with us. Half the day would often pass without your setting eyes on him.
RITA. Yes, for I knew that I could see him whenever I wanted to.
ALLMERS. Yes, that is how we have gone and squandered the short time we had with Little Eyolf.
RITA. [Listening, in dread.] Do you hear, Alfred! Now it is ringing again!
ALLMERS. [Looking over the fiord.] It is the steamer's bell that is ringing. She is just starting.
RITA. Oh, it's not that bell I mean. All day I have heard it ringing in my ears.—Now it is ringing again!
ALLMERS. [Going up to her.] You are mistaken, Rita.