RITA. You should take these things more quietly, Alfred!

ALLMERS. [Stops beside the table on the left, and looks at them.]
Eyolf shall carry on my life-work--if he wants to. Or he shall
choose one that is altogether his own. Perhaps that would be best.
At all events, I shall let mine rest as it is.

RITA. [Rising.] But, Alfred dear, can you not work both for
yourself and for Eyolf?

ALLMERS. No, I cannot. It is impossible! I cannot divide myself in
this matter--and therefore I efface myself. Eyolf shall be the
complete man of our race. And it shall be my new life-work to make
him the complete man.

ASTA. [Has risen and now goes up to him.] This must have cost you a
terribly hard struggle, Alfred?

ALLMERS. Yes, it has. At home here, I should never have conquered
myself, never brought myself to the point of renunciation. Never at
home!

RITA. Then that was why you went away this summer?

ALLMERS. [With shining eyes.] Yes! I went up into the infinite
solitudes. I saw the sunrise gleaming on the mountain peaks. I felt
myself nearer the stars--I seemed almost to be in sympathy and
communion with them. And then I found the strength for it.