Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/398

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[Starts.] Killed!

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Killed him with a fine sharp dagger which I always have with me in bed

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[Vehemently.] I don't believe you, Irene!

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[With a gentle smile.] Indeed you may believe it, Arnold.

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[Looks compassionately at her.] Have you never had a child?

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Yes, I have had many children.

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And where are your children now?

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I killed them.

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[Severely.] Now you are telling me lies again!

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I have killed them, I tell you—murdered them pitilessly. As soon as ever they came into the world. Oh, long, long before. One after the other.