ALLMERS. I thought so. Ever since I grew up, I have thought so.
[With an affectionate expression in his eyes.] And it was you that
enabled me to devote myself to it, my dear Rita--

RITA. Oh, nonsense!

ALLMERS. [Smiling to her.]--you, with your gold, and your green
forests--

RITA. [Half laughing, half vexed.] If you begin all that rubbish
again, I shall beat you.

ASTA. [Looking sorrowfully at him.] But the book, Alfred?

ALLMERS. It began, as it were, to drift away from me. But I was
more and more beset by the thought of the higher duties that laid
their claims upon me.

RITA. [Beaming, seizes his hand.] Alfred!

ALLMERS. The thought of Eyolf, my dear Rita.

RITA. [Disappointed, drops his hand.] Ah--of Eyolf!

ALLMERS. Poor little Eyolf has taken deeper and deeper hold of me.
After that unlucky fall from the table--and especially since we
have been assured that the injury is incurable--

RITA. [Insistently.] But you take all the care you possibly can of