Part 72 (1/2)

Oh no--I understand the whole thing now. After this, she would merely be--in the way.

HILDA.

You understand nothing--since you can talk like that! No, _I_ will tell you why he kept hold of her.

RAGNAR.

Well then, why?

HILDA.

In order to keep hold of you.

RAGNAR.

Has he told you so?

HILDA.

No, but it is so. It must be so! [Wildly.] I will--I will have it so!

RAGNAR.

And at the very moment when you came--he let her go.

HILDA.

It was you--you that he let go! What do you suppose he cares about strange women like her?

RAGNAR.

[Reflects.] Is it possible that all this time he has been afraid of me?

HILDA.

He afraid! I would not be so conceited if I were you.

RAGNAR.

Oh, he must have seen long ago that I had something in me, too.