Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/153



Pooh—what a stupid law that must be! I don't believe a bit in that law.

[Rising.] You may come to believe in it, in time.

Never in all my life! [Insistently.] But listen now, Miss Asta! Do be reasonable—for once in a way—in this matter, I mean

[Interrupting him.] Oh, no, no—don't let us begin upon that again!

[Continuing as before.] Yes, Asta—I can't possibly give you up so easily. Now your brother has everything as he wishes it. He can live his life quite contentedly without you. He doesn't require you at all. Then this—this—that at one blow has changed your whole position here

[With a start.] What do you mean by that?

The loss of the child. What else should I mean?

[Recovering her self-control.] Little Eyolf is gone, yes.