Let me tell you that they were women who never forgot the claim of the ideal—but of course you will only jeer at me again.
Relling.
No, I'm in no humour for that. I know all about those ladies; for he has ladled out no end of rhetoric on the subject of his “two soul-mothers.” But I don’t think he has much to thank them for. Ekdal’s misfortune is that in his own circle he has always been looked upon as a shining light——
Gregers.
Not without reason, surely. Look at the depth of his mind!
Relling.
I have never discovered it. That his father believed in it I don’t so much wonder; the old lieutenant has been an ass all his days.
Gregers.
He has had a child-like mind all his days; that is what you cannot understand.
Relling.