What did you think, then, Mrs. Helseth?
Mrs. Helseth. To tell the truth, miss, I thought Mr. Rosmer was
an honester man than that.
Rebecca. Honester?
Mrs. Helseth. Yes, miss, that is the truth.
Rebecca. But, my dear Mrs. Helseth, what do you mean by that?
Mrs. Helseth. I mean what is true and right, miss. He should not
get out of it in this way--that he shouldn't.
Rebecca (looking at her). Now look here, Mrs. Helseth. Tell me,
honestly and frankly, why you think I am going away.
Mrs. Helseth. Good Lord, miss--because it is necessary, I suppose.
Well, well!--Still, I certainly do not think Mr. Rosmer has
behaved well. There was some excuse in Mortensgaard's case,
because the woman's husband was still alive; so that it was
impossible for them to marry, however much they wished it. But
Mr. Rosmer, he could--ahem!
Rebecca (with a faint smile). Is it possible that you could think
such things about me and Mr. Rosmer?
Mrs. Helseth. Not for a moment--until to-day, I mean.
Rebecca. But why to-day?
Mrs. Helseth. Well, after all the horrible things they tell me
one may see in the papers about Mr. Rosmer
Rebecca. Ah!
Mrs. Helseth. What I mean is this--if a man can go over to
Mortensgaard's religion, you may believe him capable of anything.
And that's the truth.
Rebecca. Yes, very likely. But about me? What have you got to say
about me?
Mrs.
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