If I were as--as reasonable its you, I suppose I should have let
him go before--perhaps. But I positively could not, Asta! It seemed
to me I should never get him back again. Surely you can understand
that?

ASTA. No. But I daresay that is because I have no one to lose.

RITA. [With a teasing smile.] Really? No one at all?

ASTA. Not that _I_ know of. [Changing the subject.] But tell me,
Rita, where is Alfred? Is he still asleep?

RITA. Oh, not at all. He got up as early as ever to-day.

ASTA. Then he can't have been so very tired after all.

RITA. Yes, he was last night--when he arrived. But now he has had
little Eyolf with him in his room for a whole hour and more.

ASTA. Poor little white-faced boy! Has he to be for ever at his
lessons again?

RITA. [With a slight shrug.] Alfred will have it so, you know.

ASTA. Yes; but I think you ought to put down your foot about it,
Rita.

RITA. [Somewhat impatiently.] Oh no; come now, I really cannot
meddle with that. Alfred knows so much better about these things
than I do. And what would you have Eyolf do? He can't run about and