Why, good heavens! there is surely room for more than one single man—
Oh, there's not so very much room to spare either. But, be that as it may—I will never retire! I will never give way to anybody! Never of my own free will. Never in this world will I do that!
[Rise with difficulty.] Then I am to pass out of life without any certainty? Without a gleam of happiness? Without any faith or trust in Ragnar? Without having seen a single piece of work of his doing? Is that to be the way of it?
[Turns half aside, and mutters.] H'm—don't ask more just now.
I must have an answer to this one question. Am I to pass out of life in such utter poverty?
[Seems to struggle with himself; finally he says, in a low but firm voice:] You must pass out of life as best you can.
Then be it so. [He goes up the room.
[Following him, half is desperation.] Don't you understand that I cannot help it? I am what I am, and I cannot change my nature!
No; I suppose that you can't. [Reels and supports himself against the sofa-table.] May I have a glass of water?
By all means. [Fills a glass and hands it to him.