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. [Evading 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