Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/336

 Martha.

Ah, Johan, you know Karsten's strict principles.

Johan.

H'm—of course, of course—yes, I know my old friend Karsten's strict principles.—But this is! Well, well—I have just been talking to him. It seems to me he has changed a good deal.

Martha.

How can you say so? Karsten has always been an excellent man.

Johan.

That was not exactly what I meant; but let that pass.—H'm; now I understand the light you have seen me in; it is the prodigal's return that you have been waiting for.

Martha.

Listen, Johan, and I will tell you in what light I have seen you. [Points down to the garden.] Do you see that girl playing on the lawn with Olaf? That is Dina. Do you remember that confused letter you wrote me when you went away? You asked me to believe in you. I have believed in you, Johan. All the bad things that there were rumours of afterwards must have been done in desperation, without thought, without purpose

Johan.

What do you mean?

Martha.

Oh, you understand me well enough; no more of that. But you had to go away—to begin afresh