ALLMERS. [Looking steadfastly at her.] What if it were—?
[A disturbance, and the noise of angry, quarrelling voices is heard from down below, in the distance. ALLMERS goes to the railing.]
RITA. What is that? [With an outburst.] Oh, you'll see, they have found him!
ALLMERS. He will never be found.
RITA. But what is it then?
ALLMERS. [Coming forward.] Only fighting—as usual.
RITA. Down on the beach?
ALLMERS. Yes. The whole village down there ought to be swept away. Now the men have come home—drunk, as they always are. They are beating the children—do you hear the boys crying! The women are shrieking for help for them—
RITA. Should we not get someone to go down and help them?
ALLMERS. [Harshly and angrily.] Help them, who did not help Eyolf! Let them go—as they let Eyolf go.