RITA. Our hands were closed to them. And our hearts too.
ALLMERS. [Nods.] Then it was perhaps natural enough, after all, that
they should not risk their lives to save little Eyolf.
RITA. [Softly.] Think, Alfred! Are you so certain that--that we would
have risked ours?
ALLMERS. [With an uneasy gesture of repulsion.] You must never doubt
that.
RITA. Oh, we are children of earth.
ALLMERS. What do you really think you can do with all these neglected
children?
RITA. I suppose I must try if I cannot lighten and--and ennoble their
lot in life.
ALLMERS. If you can do that--then Eyolf was not born in vain.
RITA. Nor taken from us in vain, either.
ALLMERS. [Looking steadfastly at her.] Be quite clear about one thing,
Rita--it is not love that is driving you to this.
RITA. No, it is not--at any rate, not yet.
ALLMERS. Well, then what is it?
RITA. [Half-evasively.] You have so often talked to Asta of human
responsibility--
ALLMERS. Of the book that you hated.
RITA. I hate that book still. But I used to sit and listen to what you
told her. And now I will try to continue it--in my own way.
ALLMERS. [Shaking his head.] It is not for the sake of that unfinished
book--
RITA. No, I have another reason as well.
ALLMERS. What is that?
RITA. [Softly, with a melancholy smile.] I want to make my peace with
the great, open eyes, you see.
ALLMERS. [Struck, fixing his eyes upon her.] Perhaps, I could join you
in that? And help you, Rita?
RITA. Would you?
ALLMERS. Yes--if I were only sure I could.
RITA. [Hesitatingly.] But then you would have to remain here.
ALLMERS. [Softly.] Let us try if it could not be so.
RITA. [Almost inaudibly.] Yes, let us, Alfred.
[Both are silent. Then ALLMERS goes up to the flagstaff and hoists the
flag to the top. RITA stands beside the summer-house and looks at him in
silence.]
ALLMERS. [Coming forward again.] We have a heavy day of work before us,
Rita.
RITA. You will see--that now and then a Sabbath peace will descend on
us.
ALLMERS. [Quietly, with emotion.] Then, perhaps, we shall know that the
spirits are with us.
RITA. [Whispering.] The spirits?
ALLMERS. [As before.] Yes, they will perhaps be around us--those whom we
have lost.
RITA. [Nods slowly.] Our little Eyolf. And your big Eyolf, too.
ALLMERS. [Gazing straight before him.] Now and then, perhaps, we may
still--on the way through life--have a little, passing glimpse of them.
RITA. Where, shall we look for them, Alfred?
ALLMERS. [Fixing his eyes upon her.] Upwards.
RITA. [Nods in approval.] Yes, yes--upwards.
ALLMERS. Upwards--towards the peaks. Towards the stars. And towards the
great silence.
RITA. [Giving him her hand.] Thanks!