"The Stronger" by August Strindberg
MRS. X: [Continued] They say chocolate is very wholesome. And if I have learned from you how to dress--taint mieux!--it has only given me a stronger hold on my husband--and you have lost where I have gained. Yes, judging by several signs, I think you have lost him already. Of course, you meant me to bread with him--as you did, and as you are now regretting--but, you see, I never would do that. It wouldn't do to be narrow-minded, you know. And why should I take only what nobody else wants? Perhaps, afte all, I a the stronger now. You never got anything from me; you merely gave--and thus happened to me what happened to the thief--I had what you missed when you worke up. How explain in any other wat that, in your hand, everything proved worthless and useless? You were never able to keep a man's love, in spite of your tulips and your passsions and I could; you could never learn the art of living from the books--as I learned it; you bore not little Eskil, althought that was your fahter's name. And why do you keep silent always and everywhere--silent, ever silent? I used to think it was because you were so strong; and maybe the simple truth was you never had anything to say--because you were unable to think! [Rises and picks up the slippers.] I'm going home now--I'll take the tulips with me--your tulips. You couldn't learn anything from others; you couldn't bend--and so you broke like a dry stem--and I didn't. Thank you, Amelia, for all your instructions. I thank you that you have tuahgt me how to love my husband. Now I'm going home--to him!
[MRS. X exits.]
C U R T A I N
4