Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/147

 Mrs. Linden.

What do you think brought me to town?

Krogstad.

Had you any thought of me?

Mrs. Linden.

I must have work or I can't bear to live. All my life, as long as I can remember, I have worked; work has been my one great joy. Now I stand quite alone in the world, aimless and forlorn. There is no happiness in working for one's self. Nils, give me somebody and something to work for.

Krogstad.

I cannot believe in all this. It is simply a woman's romantic craving for self-sacrifice.

Mrs. Linden.

Have you ever found me romantic?

Krogstad.

Would you really? Tell me: do you know all my past?

Mrs. Linden.

Yes.

Krogstad.

And do you know what people say of me?

Mrs. Linden.

Did you not say just now that with me you could have been another man?

Krogstad.

I am sure of it.