Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/84

 mother; one by one have you cast out your daughters to the wolves. The eldest went first. Five years ago Merete went forth from Östråt; now she dwells in Bergen, and is Vinzents Lunge's wife. But think you she is happy as the Danish noble's lady? Vinzents Lunge is mighty, well-nigh as a king; Merete has damsels and squires, silken robes and lofty halls; but the day has no sunshine for her, and the night no rest; for she has never loved him. He came hither and he wooed her, for she was the greatest heiress in Norway, and 'twas then needful for him to gain a footing in the land. I know it; I know it well! Merete bowed to your will; she went with the stranger lord.—But what has it cost her? More tears than a mother should wish to answer for at the day of reckoning!

I know my reckoning, and I fear it not.

Your reckoning ends not here. Where is Lucia, your second child?

Ask God, who took her.

'Tis you I ask; 'tis you must answer for her young life. She was glad as a bird in spring