Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/177



[Looks intently at him.] When you are gone?

Yes. For that will at least give you something to fill your life with—and something you must have.

[Firmly and decidedly.] There you are right—I must. But can you guess what I will set about—when you are gone?

Well, what?

[Slowly and with resolution.] As soon as you are gone from me, I will go down to the beach, and bring all the poor neglected children home with me. All the mischievous boys

What will you do with them here?

I will take them to my heart.

You!

Yes, I will. From the day you leave me, they shall all be here, all of them, as if they were mine.