Allmers.

[Warmly.] Oh yes, I know, I know.

Rita.

[With decision.] But there it must end. I will live my life—together with you—wholly with you. I cannot go on being only Eyolf’s mother—only his mother and nothing more. I will not, I tell you! I cannot! I will be all in all to you! To you, Alfred!

Allmers.

But that is just what you are, Rita. Through our child——

Rita.

Oh—vapid, nauseous phrases—nothing else! No, Alfred, I am not to be put off like that. I was fitted to become the child’s mother, but not to be a mother to him. You must take me as I am, Alfred.

Allmers.

And yet you used to be so fond of Eyolf.