Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
Nor taken from us in vain, either.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[Looking steadfastly at her.] Be quite clear aboutonething, Rita—it is not love that is driving you to this.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
No, it is not—at any rate, not yet.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Well, then what is it?
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
[Half-evasively.] You have so often talked to Asta of human responsibility——
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Of the book that you hated.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
I hate that book still. But I used to sit and listen to what you told her. And now I will try to continue it—in my own way.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[Shaking his head.] It is not for the sake of that unfinished book——
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
No, I have another reason as well.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
What is that?
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
[Softly, with a melancholy smile.] I want to make my peace with the great, open eyes, you see.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[Struck, fixing his eyes upon her.] Perhaps, I could join you in that? And help you, Rita?
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
Would you?
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Yes—if I were only sure I could.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
[Hesitatingly.] But then you would have to remain here.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[Softly.] Let us try if it could not be so.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
[Almost inaudibly.] Yes, let us, Alfred.
[Both are silent. ThenAllmersgoes up to the flagstaff and hoists the flag tothe top.Ritastands beside the summer-house and looks at him in silence.
[Both are silent. ThenAllmersgoes up to the flagstaff and hoists the flag tothe top.Ritastands beside the summer-house and looks at him in silence.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[Coming forward again.] We have a heavy day of work before us, Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
You will see—that now and then a Sabbath peace will descend on us.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[Quietly, with emotion.] Then, perhaps, we shall know that the spirits are with us.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
[Whispering.] The spirits?
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[As before.] Yes, they will perhaps be around us—those whom we have lost.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
[Nods slowly.] Our little Eyolf. And your big Eyolf, too.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[Gazing straight before him.] Now and then, perhaps, we may still—on the way through life—have a little, passing glimpse of them.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
Where shall we look for them, Alfred?
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
[Fixing his eyes upon her.] Upwards.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
[Nods in approval.] Yes, yes—upwards.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Allmers.
Upwards—towards the peaks. Towards the stars. And towards the great silence.
Rita.
Rita.
Rita.
[Giving him her hand.] Thanks!