Part 4
RITA.
For my part, I don’t think at all ill of Borgheim.
ALLMERS.
No, dear—no more do I—quite the contrary. But all the same——
RITA.
[_Continuing._] And I should be very glad indeed if he and Asta were to make a match of it.
ALLMERS.
[_Annoyed._] Oh, why should you be?
RITA.
[_With increasing excitement._] Why, for then she would have to go far, far away with him! And she could never come out here to us, as she does now.
ALLMERS.
[_Stares at her in astonishment._] What! Can you really wish Asta to go away?
RITA.
Yes, yes, Alfred!
ALLMERS.
Why in all the world——?
RITA.
[_Throwing her arms passionately round his neck._] For then, at last, I should have you to myself alone! And yet—not even then! Not wholly to myself! [_Bursts into convulsive weeping._] Oh, Alfred, Alfred—I cannot give you up!
ALLMERS.
[_Gently releasing himself._] My dearest Rita, do be reasonable!
RITA.
I don’t care a bit about being reasonable! I care only for you! Only for you in all the world! [_Again throwing her arms round his neck._] For you, for you, for you!
ALLMERS.
Let me go, let me go—you are strangling me!
RITA.
[_Letting him go._] How I wish I could! [_Looking at him with flashing eyes._] Oh, if you knew how I have hated you——!
ALLMERS.
Hated me——!
RITA.
Yes—when you shut yourself up in your room and brooded over your work—till long, long into the night. [_Plaintively._] So long, so late, Alfred. Oh, how I hated your work!
ALLMERS.
But now I have done with that.
RITA.
[_With a cutting laugh._] Oh yes! Now you have given yourself up to something worse.
ALLMERS.
[_Shocked._] Worse! Do you call our child something worse?
RITA.
[_Vehemently._] Yes, I do. As he comes between you and me, I call him so. For the book—the book was not a living being, as the child is. [_With increasing impetuosity._] But I won’t endure it, Alfred! I will not endure it—I tell you so plainly!
ALLMERS.
[_Looks steadily at her, and says in a low voice._] I am often almost afraid of you, Rita.
RITA.
[_Gloomily._] I am often afraid of myself. And for that very reason you must not awake the evil in me.
ALLMERS.
Why, good Heavens, do I do that?
RITA.
Yes, you do—when you tear to shreds the holiest bonds between us.
ALLMERS.
[_Urgently._] Think what you’re saying, Rita. It is your own child—our only child, that you are speaking of.
RITA.
The child is only half mine. [_With another outburst._] But you shall be mine alone! You shall be wholly mine! That I have a right to demand of you!
ALLMERS.
[_Shrugging his shoulders._] Oh, my dear Rita, it is of no use demanding anything. Everything must be freely given.
RITA.
[_Looks anxiously at him._] And that you cannot do henceforth?
ALLMERS.
No, I cannot. I must divide myself between Eyolf and you.
RITA.
But if Eyolf had never been born? What then?
ALLMERS.
[_Evasively._] Oh, that would be another matter. Then I should have only you to care for.
RITA.
[_Softly, her voice quivering._] Then I wish he had never been born.
ALLMERS.
[_Flashing out._] Rita! You don’t know what you are saying!
RITA.
[_Trembling with emotion._] It was in pain unspeakable that I brought him into the world. But I bore it all with joy and rapture for your sake.
ALLMERS.
[_Warmly._] Oh yes, I know, I know.
RITA.
[_With decision._] But there it must end. I will live my life—together with you—wholly with you. I cannot go on being only Eyolf’s mother—only his mother and nothing more. I _will_ not, I tell you! I _cannot_! I will be all in all to you! To you, Alfred!
ALLMERS.
But that is just what you are, Rita. Through our child——
RITA.
Oh—vapid, nauseous phrases—nothing else! No, Alfred, I am not to be put off like that. I was fitted to _become_ the child’s mother, but not to be a mother to him. You must take me as I am, Alfred.
ALLMERS.
And yet you used to be so fond of Eyolf.
RITA.
I was so sorry for him—because you troubled yourself so little about him. You kept him reading and grinding at books. You scarcely even saw him.
ALLMERS.
[_Nodding slowly._] No; I was blind. The time had not yet come for me——
RITA.
[_Looking in his face._] But now, I suppose, it has come?
ALLMERS.
Yes, at last. Now I see that the highest task I can have in the world is to be a true father to Eyolf.
RITA.
And to me?—what will you be to me?
ALLMERS.
[_Gently._] I will always go on caring for you—with calm, deep tenderness. [_He tries to take her hands._]
RITA.
[_Avoiding him._] I don’t care a bit for your calm, deep tenderness. I want you utterly and entirely—and alone! Just as I had you in the first rich, beautiful days. [_Vehemently and harshly._] Never, never will I consent to be put off with scraps and leavings, Alfred!
ALLMERS.
[_In a conciliatory tone._] I should have thought there was happiness in plenty for all three of us, Rita.
RITA.
[_Scornfully._] Then you are easy to please. [_Seats herself at the table on the left._] Now listen to me.
ALLMERS.
[_Approaching._] Well, what is it?
RITA.
[_Looking up at him with a veiled glow in her eyes._] When I got your telegram yesterday evening——
ALLMERS.
Yes? What then?
RITA.
—then I dressed myself in white——
ALLMERS.
Yes, I noticed you were in white when I arrived.
RITA.
I had let down my hair——
ALLMERS.
Your sweet masses of hair——
RITA.
—so that it flowed down my neck and shoulders——
ALLMERS.
I saw it, I saw it. Oh, how lovely you were, Rita!
RITA.
There were rose-tinted shades over both the lamps. And we were alone, we two—the only waking beings in the whole house. And there was champagne on the table.
ALLMERS.
I did not drink any of it.
RITA.
[_Looking bitterly at him._] No, that is true. [_Laughs harshly._] "There stood the champagne, but you tasted it not"—as the poet says.
[_She rises from the armchair, goes with an air of weariness over to the sofa, and seats herself, half reclining, upon it._
ALLMERS.
[_Crosses the room and stands before her._] I was so taken up with serious thoughts. I had made up my mind to talk to you of our future, Rita—and first and foremost of Eyolf.
RITA.
[_Smiling._] And so you did——
ALLMERS.
No, I had not time to—for you began to undress.
RITA.
Yes, and meanwhile you talked about Eyolf. Don’t you remember? You wanted to know all about little Eyolf’s digestion.
ALLMERS.
[_Looking reproachfully at her._] Rita!
RITA.
And then you got into your bed, and slept the sleep of the just.
ALLMERS.
[_Shaking his head._] Rita—Rita!
RITA.
[_Lying at full length and looking up at him._] Alfred?
ALLMERS.
Yes?
RITA.
“There stood your champagne, but you tasted it not.”
ALLMERS.
[_Almost harshly._] No. I did not taste it.
[_He goes away from her and stands in the garden doorway. RITA lies for some time motionless, with closed eyes._
RITA.
[_Suddenly springing up._] But let me tell you one thing, Alfred.
ALLMERS.
[_Turning in the doorway._] Well?
RITA.
You ought not to feel quite so secure as you do!
ALLMERS.
Not secure?
RITA.
No, you ought not to be so indifferent! Not so certain of your property in me!
ALLMERS.
[_Drawing nearer._] What do you mean by that?
RITA.
[_With trembling lips._] Never in a single thought have I been untrue to you, Alfred! Never for an instant.
ALLMERS.
No, Rita, I know that—I, who know you so well.
RITA.
[_With sparkling eyes._] But if you disdain me——!
ALLMERS.
Disdain! I don’t understand what you mean!
RITA.
Oh, you don’t know all that might rise up within me, if——
ALLMERS.
If?
RITA.
If I should ever see that you did not care for me—that you did not love me as you used to.
ALLMERS.
But, my dearest Rita—years bring a certain change with them—and that must one day occur even in us—as in every one else.
RITA.
Never in me! And I will not hear of any change in you either—I could not bear it, Alfred. I want to keep you to myself alone.
ALLMERS.
[_Looking at her with concern._] You have a terribly jealous nature——
RITA.
I can’t make myself different from what I am. [_Threateningly._] If you go and divide yourself between me and any one else——
ALLMERS.
What then——?
RITA.
Then I will take my revenge on you, Alfred!
ALLMERS.
How "take your revenge"?
RITA.
I don’t know how.—Oh yes, I do know, well enough!
ALLMERS.
Well?
RITA.
I will go and throw myself away——
ALLMERS.
Throw yourself away, do you say?
RITA.
Yes, that I will. I’ll throw myself straight into the arms of—of the first man that comes in my way!
ALLMERS.
[_Looking tenderly at her and shaking his head._] That you will never do—my loyal, proud, true-hearted Rita!
RITA.
[_Putting her arms round his neck._] Oh, you don’t know what I might come to be if you—if you did not love me any more.
ALLMERS.
Did not love you, Rita? How can you say such a thing!
RITA.
[_Half laughing, lets him go._] Why should I not spread my nets for that—that road-maker man that hangs about here?
ALLMERS.
[_Relieved._] Oh, thank goodness—you are only joking.
RITA.
Not at all. He would do as well as any one else.
ALLMERS.
Ah, but I suspect he is more or less taken up already.
RITA.
So much the better! For then I should take him away from some one else; and that is just what Eyolf has done to me.
ALLMERS.
Can you say that our little Eyolf has done that?
RITA.
[_Pointing with her forefinger._] There, you see! You see! The moment you mention Eyolf’s name, you grow tender and your voice quivers! [_Threateningly, clenching her hands._] Oh, you almost tempt me to wish——
ALLMERS.
[_Looking at her anxiously._] What do I tempt you to wish, Rita?——
RITA.
[_Vehemently, going away from him._] No, no, no—I won’t tell you that! Never!
ALLMERS.
[_Drawing nearer to her._] Rita! I implore you—for my sake and for your own—do not let yourself be tempted into evil.
[_BORGHEIM and ASTA come up from the garden. They both show signs of restrained emotion. They look serious and dejected. ASTA remains out on the verandah. BORGHEIM comes into the room._
BORGHEIM.
So that is over—Miss Allmers and I have had our last walk together.
RITA.
[_Looks at him with surprise._] Ah! And there is no longer journey to follow the walk?
BORGHEIM.
Yes, for me.
RITA.
For you alone?
BORGHEIM.
Yes, for me alone.
RITA.
[_Glances darkly at ALLMERS._] Do you hear that? [_Turns to BORGHEIM._] I’ll wager it is some one with the evil eye that has played you this trick.
BORGHEIM.
[_Looks at her._] The evil eye?
RITA.
[_Nodding._] Yes, the evil eye.
BORGHEIM.
Do you believe in the evil eye, Mrs. Allmers?
RITA.
Yes. I have begun to believe in the evil eye. Especially in a child’s evil eye.
ALLMERS.
[_Shocked, whispers._] Rita—how can you——?
RITA.
[_Speaking low._] It is you that make me so wicked and hateful, Alfred.
[_Confused cries and shrieks are heard in the distance, from the direction of the fiord._
BORGHEIM.
[_Going to the glass door._] What noise is that?
ASTA.
[_In the doorway._] Look at all those people running down to the pier!
ALLMERS.
What can it be? [_Looks out for a moment._] No doubt it’s those street urchins at some mischief again.
BORGHEIM.
[_Calls, leaning over the verandah railings._] I say, you boys down there! What’s the matter?
[_Several voices are heard answering indistinctly and confusedly._
RITA.
What do they say?
BORGHEIM.
They say it’s a child that’s drowned.
ALLMERS.
A child drowned?
ASTA.
[_Uneasily._] A little boy, they say.
ALLMERS.
Oh, they can all swim, every one of them.
RITA.
[_Shrieks in terror._] Where is Eyolf?
ALLMERS.
Keep quiet—quiet. Eyolf is down in the garden, playing.
ASTA.
No, he wasn’t in the garden.—
RITA.
[_With upstretched arms._] Oh, if only it isn’t he!
BORGHEIM.
[_Listens, and calls down._] Whose child is it, do you say?
[_Indistinct voices are heard. BORGHEIM and ASTA utter a suppressed cry, and rush out through the garden._
ALLMERS.
[_In an agony of dread._] It isn’t Eyolf! It _isn’t_ Eyolf, Rita!
RITA.
[_On the verandah, listening._] Hush! Be quiet! Let me hear what they are saying!
[_RITA rushes back with a piercing shriek, into the room._
ALLMERS.
[_Following her._] What did they say?
RITA.
[_Sinking down beside the armchair on the left._] They said: “The crutch is floating!”
ALLMERS.
[_Almost paralysed._] No! No! No!
RITA.
[_Hoarsely._] Eyolf! Eyolf! Oh, but they _must_ save him!
ALLMERS.
[_Half distracted._] They must, they must! So precious a life!
[_He rushes down through the garden._
ACT SECOND
_A little narrow glen by the side of the fiord, on ALLMERS’S property. On the left, lofty old trees overarch the spot. Down the slope in the background a brook comes leaping, and loses itself among the stones on the margin of the wood. A path winds along by the brook-side. To the right there are only a few single trees, between which the fiord is visible. In front is seen the corner of a boat-shed with a boat drawn up. Under the old trees on the left stands a table with a bench and one or two chairs, all made of thin birch-staves. It is a heavy, damp day, with driving mist-wreaths._
_ALFRED ALLMERS, dressed as before, sits on the bench, leaning his arms on the table. His hat lies before him. He gazes absently and immovably out over the water._
_Presently ASTA ALLMERS comes down the wood-path. She is carrying an open umbrella._
ASTA.
[_Goes quietly and cautiously up to him._] You ought not to sit down here in this gloomy weather, Alfred.
ALLMERS.
[_Nods slowly without answering._]
ASTA.
[_Closing her umbrella._] I have been searching for you such a long time.
ALLMERS.
[_Without expression._] Thank you.
ASTA.
[_Moves a chair and seats herself close to him._] Have you been sitting here long? All the time?
ALLMERS.
[_Does not answer at first. Presently he says._] No, I cannot grasp it. It seems so utterly impossible.
ASTA.
[_Laying her hand compassionately on his arm._] Poor Alfred!
ALLMERS.
[_Gazing at her._] Is it really true then, Asta? Or have I gone mad? Or am I only dreaming? Oh, if it were only a dream! Just think, if I were to waken now!
ASTA.
Oh, if I could only waken you!
ALLMERS.
[_Looking out over the water._] How pitiless the fiord looks to-day, lying so heavy and drowsy—leaden-grey—with splashes of yellow—and reflecting the rain-clouds.
ASTA.
[_Imploringly._] Oh, Alfred, don’t sit staring out over the fiord!
ALLMERS.
[_Not heeding her._] Over the surface, yes. But in the depths—there sweeps the rushing undertow——
ASTA.
[_In terror._] Oh, for God’s sake—don’t think of the depths!
ALLMERS.
[_Looking gently at her._] I suppose you think he is lying close outside here? But he is not, Asta. You must not think that. You must remember how fiercely the current sweeps out here—straight to the open sea.
ASTA.
[_Throws herself forward against the table, and, sobbing, buries her face in her hands._] Oh, God! Oh, God!
ALLMERS.
[_Heavily._] So you see, little Eyolf has passed so far—far away from us now.
ASTA.
[_Looks imploringly up at him._] Oh, Alfred, don’t say such things!
ALLMERS.
Why, you can reckon it out for yourself—you that are so clever. In eight-and-twenty hours—nine-and-twenty hours——Let me see——! Let me see——!
ASTA.
[_Shrieking and stopping her ears._] Alfred!
ALLMERS.
[_Clenching his hand firmly upon the table._] Can you conceive the meaning of a thing like this?
ASTA.
[_Looks at him._] Of what?
ALLMERS.
Of this that has been done to Rita and me.
ASTA.
The meaning of it?
ALLMERS.
[_Impatiently._] Yes, the meaning, I say. For, after all, there must be a meaning in it. Life, existence—destiny, _cannot_ be so utterly meaningless.
ASTA.
Oh, who can say anything with certainty about these things, my dear Alfred?
ALLMERS.
[_Laughs bitterly._] No, no; I believe you are right there. Perhaps the whole thing goes simply by hap-hazard—taking its own course, like a drifting wreck without a rudder. I daresay that is how it is. At least, it seems very like it.
ASTA.
[_Thoughtfully._] What if it only seems——?
ALLMERS.
[_Vehemently._] Ah? Perhaps you can unravel the mystery for me? I certainly cannot. [_More gently._] Here is Eyolf, just entering upon conscious life: full of such infinite possibilities—splendid possibilities perhaps: he would have filled my life with pride and gladness. And then a crazy old woman has only to come this way—and show a cur in a bag——
ASTA.
But we don’t in the least know how it really happened.
ALLMERS.
Yes, we do. The boys saw her row out over the fiord. They saw Eyolf standing alone at the very end of the pier. They saw him gazing after her—and then he seemed to turn giddy. [_Quivering._] And that was how he fell over—and disappeared.
ASTA.
Yes, yes. But all the same——
ALLMERS.
She has drawn him down into the depths—that you may be sure of, dear.
ASTA.
But, Alfred, why should she?
ALLMERS.
Yes, that is just the question! Why should she? There is no retribution behind it all—no atonement, I mean. Eyolf never did her any harm. He never called names after her; he never threw stones at her dog. Why, he had never set eyes either on her or her dog till yesterday. So there is no retribution; the whole thing is utterly groundless and meaningless, Asta.—And yet the order of the world requires it.
ASTA.
Have you spoken to Rita of these things?
ALLMERS.
[_Shakes his head._] I feel as if I can talk better to you about them. [_Drawing a deep breath._] And about everything else as well.
[_ASTA takes sewing-materials and a little paper parcel out of her pocket. ALLMERS sits looking on absently._
ALLMERS.
What have you got there, Asta?
ASTA.
[_Taking his hat._] Some black crape.
ALLMERS.
Oh, what is the use of that?
ASTA.
Rita asked me to put it on. May I?
ALLMERS.
Oh, yes; as far as I’m concerned——[_She sews the crape on his hat._]
ALLMERS.
[_Sitting and looking at her._] Where is Rita?
ASTA.
She is walking about the garden a little, I think. Borgheim is with her.
ALLMERS.
[_Slightly surprised._] Indeed! Is Borgheim out here to-day again?
ASTA.
Yes. He came out by the mid-day train.
ALLMERS.
I didn’t expect that.
ASTA.
[_Sewing._] He was so fond of Eyolf.
ALLMERS.
Borgheim is a faithful soul, Asta.
ASTA.
[_With quiet warmth._] Yes, faithful he is, indeed. That is certain.
ALLMERS.
[_Fixing his eyes upon her._] You are really fond of him?
ASTA.
Yes, I am.
ALLMERS.
And yet you cannot make up your mind to——?
ASTA.
[_Interrupting._] Oh, my dear Alfred, don’t talk of _that_!
ALLMERS.
Yes, yes; tell me why you cannot?
ASTA.
Oh, no! Please! You really must not ask me. You see, it’s so painful for me.—There now! The hat is done.
ALLMERS.
Thank you.
ASTA.
And now for the left arm.
ALLMERS.
Am I to have crape on it too?
ASTA.
Yes, that is the custom.
ALLMERS.
Well—as you please.
[_She moves close up to him and begins to sew._
ASTA.
Keep your arm still—then I won’t prick you.
ALLMERS.
[_With a half-smile._] This is like the old days.
ASTA.
Yes, don’t you think so?
ALLMERS.
When you were a little girl you used to sit just like this, mending my clothes. The first thing you ever sewed for me—that was black crape, too.
ASTA.
Was it?
ALLMERS.
Round my student’s cap—at the time of father’s death.
ASTA.
Could I sew then? Fancy, I have forgotten it.
ALLMERS.
Oh, you were such a little thing then.
ASTA.
Yes, I was little then.
ALLMERS.
And then, two years afterwards—when we lost your mother—then again you sewed a big crape band on my sleeve.
ASTA.
I thought it was the right thing to do.
ALLMERS.
[_Patting her hand._] Yes, yes, it was the right thing to do, Asta. And then when we were left alone in the world, we two——. Are you done already?
ASTA.
Yes. [_Putting together her sewing-materials._] It was really a beautiful time for us, Alfred. We two alone.
ALLMERS.
Yes, it was—though we had to toil so hard.
ASTA.
_You_ toiled.
ALLMERS.
[_With more life._] Oh, you toiled too, in your way, I can assure you—[_smiling_]—my dear, faithful—Eyolf.
ASTA.
Oh—you mustn’t remind me of that stupid nonsense about the name.
ALLMERS.
Well, if you had been a boy, you would have been called Eyolf.
ASTA.
Yes, _if_! But when you began to go to college——. [_Smiling involuntarily._] I wonder how you could be so childish.
ALLMERS.
Was it I that was childish?
ASTA.
Yes, indeed, I think it was, as I look back upon it all. You were ashamed of having no brother—only a sister.
ALLMERS.
No, no, it was you, dear—_you_ were ashamed.
ASTA.
Oh yes, I too, perhaps—a little. And somehow or other I was sorry for you——
ALLMERS.
Yes, I believe you were. And then you hunted up some of my old boy’s clothes——
ASTA.
Your fine Sunday clothes—yes. Do you remember the blue blouse and knickerbockers?
ALLMERS.
[_His eyes dwelling upon her._] I remember so well how you looked when you used to wear them.
ASTA.
Only when we were at home, alone, though.
ALLMERS.
And how serious we were, dear, and how mightily pleased with ourselves. I always called you Eyolf.
ASTA.
Oh, Alfred, I hope you have never told Rita this?
ALLMERS.
Yes, I believe I did once tell her.
ASTA.
Oh, Alfred, how could you do that?
ALLMERS.
Well, you see—one tells one’s wife everything—very nearly.
ASTA.
Yes, I suppose one does.
ALLMERS.
[_As if awakening, clutches at his forehead and starts up._] Oh, how can I sit here and——
ASTA.
[_Rising, looks sorrowfully at him._] What is the matter?
ALLMERS.
He had almost passed away from me. He had passed quite away.
ASTA.
Eyolf!
ALLMERS.
Here I sat, living in these recollections—and he had no part in them.
ASTA.
Yes, Alfred—little Eyolf was behind it all.
ALLMERS.
No, he was not. He slipped out of my memory—out of my thoughts. I did not see him for a moment as we sat here talking. I utterly forgot him all that time.
ASTA.
But surely you must take some rest in your sorrow.
ALLMERS.
No, no, no; that is just what I will not do! I must not—I have no right—and no heart for it, either. [_Going in great excitement towards the right._] All my thoughts must be out there, where he lies drifting in the depths!
ASTA.
[_Following him and holding him back._] Alfred—Alfred! Don’t go to the fiord.
ALLMERS.
I must go out to him! Let me go, Asta! I will take the boat.
ASTA.
[_In terror._] Don’t go to the fiord, I say!
ALLMERS.
[_Yielding._] No, no—I will not. Only let me alone.
ASTA.
[_Leading him back to the table._] You must rest from your thoughts, Alfred. Come here and sit down.
ALLMERS.
[_Making as if to seat himself on the bench._] Well, well—as you please.
ASTA.
No, I won’t let you sit there.
ALLMERS.
Yes, let me.
ASTA.
No, don’t. For then you will only sit looking out——[_Forces him down upon a chair, with his back to the right._] There now. Now that’s right. [_Seats herself upon the bench._] And now we can talk a little again.
ALLMERS.
[_Drawing a deep breath audibly._] It was good to deaden the sorrow and heartache for a moment.
ASTA.
You _must_ do so, Alfred.
ALLMERS.