RITA. No, I hear it so plainly. It sounds like a knell. Slow. Slow. And always the same words.
ALLMERS. Words? What words?
RITA. [Nodding her head in the rhythm.] "The crútch is—flóating. The crútch is—flóating." Oh, surely you must hear it, too!
ALLMERS. [Shaking his head.] I hear nothing. And there is nothing to hear.
RITA. Oh, you may say what you will—I hear it so plainly.
ALLMERS. [Looking out over the railing.] Now they are on board, Rita. Now the steamer is on her way to the town.
RITA. Is it possible you do not hear it? "The crútch is—flóating. The crútch is ———"
ALLMERS. [Coming forward.] You shall not stand there listening to a sound that does not exist. I tell you, Asta and Borgheim are on board. They have started already. Asta is gone.
RITA. [Looks timidly at him.] Then I suppose you will soon be gone, too, Alfred?
ALLMERS. [Quickly.] What do you mean by that?