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 him, Alfred! ALLMERS. As a schoolmaster, yes; but not as a father. And it is a father that I want henceforth to be to Eyolf. RITA. [Looking at him and shaking her head.] I don't think I quite understand you. ALLMERS. I mean that I will try with all my might to make his misfortune as painless and easy to him as it can possibly be. RITA. Oh, but, dear--thank Heaven, I don't think he feels it so deeply. ASTA. [With emotion.] Yes, Rita, he does. ALLMERS. Yes, you may be sure he feels it deeply. RITA. [Impatiently.] But, Alfred, what more can you do for him? ALLMERS. I will try to perfect all the rich possibilities that are dawning in his childish soul. I will foster all the germs of good in his nature--make them blossom and bear fruit. [With more and more warmth, rising.] And I will do more than that! I will help him to bring his desires into harmony with what lies attainable before him. That is just what at present they are not. All his longings are for things that must for ever remain unattainable to him. But I will create a conscious happiness in his mind. [He goes once or twice up and down the room. ASTA and RITA follow him with their eyes.]