Ragnar.

[Laughs in exasperation.] Thank him, when he has held me down year after year! When he made father disbelieve in me—made me disbelieve in myself! And all merely that he might——!

Hilda.

[As if divining something.] That he might——? Tell me at once!

Ragnar.

That he might keep her with him.

Hilda.

[With a start towards him.] The girl at the desk.

Ragnar.

Yes.