Mrs. Helseth. Little children do not cry at Rosmersholm, Miss
West.
Rebecca (looking at her). Not cry?
Mrs. Helseth. No. In this house, little children have never been
known to cry, as long as any one can remember.
Rebecca. That is very strange.
Mrs. Helseth. Yes, isn't it, miss? But it runs in the family. And
there is another thing that is just as strange; when they grow up
they never laugh--never laugh, all their lives.
Rebecca. But that would be extraordinary
Mrs. Helseth. Have you ever once heard or seen Mr. Rosmer laugh,
miss?
Rebecca. No--now that I think of it, I almost believe you are
right. But I fancy most of the folk hereabouts laugh very little.
Mrs. Helseth. That is quite true. People say it began at
Rosmersholm, and I expect it spread like a sort of infection.
Rebecca. You are a sagacious woman, Mrs. Helseth!
Mrs. Helseth. Oh, you mustn't sit there and make game of me,
miss. (Listens.) Hush, hush--Mr. Rosmer is coming down. He doesn't
like to see brooms about. (Goes out by the door on the right.
ROSMER, with his stick and hat in his hand, comes in from the
lobby.)
Rosmer. Good-morning, Rebecca.
Rebecca. Good-morning, dear. (She goes on working for a little
while in silence.) Are you going out?
Rosmer. Yes.
Rebecca. It is such a lovely day.
Rosmer. You did not come up to see me this morning.
Rebecca. No--I didn't.
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