John Gabriel Borkman | Page 8

MRS. BORKMAN. Yes, Erhart saw a good deal of her in town, before
she came out here.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Without thinking.] And in spite of that she moved
out of town?
MRS. BORKMAN. [Taken aback, looking keenly at her.] In spite of
that! What do you mean?
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Evasively.] Oh, nothing particular.
MRS. BORKMAN. You said it strangely--you did mean something by
it, Ella!
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Looking her straight in the eyes.] Yes, that is true,
Gunhild! I did mean something by it.
MRS. BORKMAN. Well, then, say it right out.
ELLA RENTHEIM. First let me tell you, I think I too have a certain
claim upon Erhart. Do you think I haven't?
MRS. BORKMAN. [Glancing round the room.] No doubt--after all the
money you have spent upon him.
ELLA RENTHEIM. Oh, not on that account, Gunhild. But because I
love him.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Smiling scornfully.] Love my son? Is it possible?
You? In spite of everything?

ELLA RENTHEIM. Yes, it is possible--in spite of everything. And it is
true. I love Erhart--as much as I can love any one--now--at my time of
life.
MRS. BORKMAN. Well, well, suppose you do: what then?
ELLA RENTHEIM. Why, then, I am troubled as soon as I see anything
threatening him.
MRS. BORKMAN. Threatening Erhart! Why, what should threaten
him? Or who?
ELLA RENTHEIM. You in the first place--in your way.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Vehemently.] I!
ELLA RENTHEIM. And then this Mrs. Wilton, too, I am afraid.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Looks at her for a moment in speechless surprise.]
And you think such things of Erhart! Of my own boy! He, who has his
great mission to fulfil!
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Lightly.] Oh, his mission!
MRS. BORKMAN. [Indignantly.] How dare you say that so
scornfully?
ELLA RENTHEIM. Do you think a young man of Erhart's age, full of
health and spirits--do you think he is going to sacrifice himself for--for
such a thing as a "mission"?
MRS. BORKMAN. [Firmly and emphatically.] Erhart will! I know he
will.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Shaking her head.] You neither know it nor
believe it, Gunhild.
MRS. BORKMAN. I don't believe it!

ELLA RENTHEIM. It is only a dream that you cherish. For if you
hadn't that to cling to, you feel that you would utterly despair.
MRS. BORKMAN. Yes, indeed I should despair. [Vehemently.] And I
daresay that is what you would like to see, Ella!
ELLA RENTHEIM. [With head erect.] Yes, I would rather see that
than see you "redeem" yourself at Erhart's expense.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Threateningly.] You want to come between us?
Between mother and son? You?
ELLA RENTHEIM. I want to free him from your power--your
will--your despotism.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Triumphantly.] You are too late! You had him in
your nets all these years--until he was fifteen. But now I have won him
again, you see!
ELLA RENTHEIM. Then I will win him back from you! [Hoarsely,
half whispering.] We two have fought a life-and-death battle before,
Gunhild--for a man's soul!
MRS. BORKMAN. [Looking at her in triumph.] Yes, and I won the
victory.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [With a smile of scorn.] Do you still think that
victory was worth the winning?
MRS. BORKMAN. [Darkly.] No; Heaven knows you are right there.
ELLA RENTHEIM. You need look for no victory worth the winning
this time either.
MRS. BORKMAN. Not when I am fighting to preserve a mother's
power over my son!
ELLA RENTHEIM. No; for it is only power over him that you want.

MRS. BORKMAN. And you?
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Warmly.] I want his affection--his soul--his
whole heart!
MRS. BORKMAN. [With an outburst.] That you shall never have in
this world!
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Looking at her.] You have seen to that?
MRS. BORKMAN. [Smiling.] Yes, I have taken that liberty. Could
you not see that in his letters?
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Nods slowly.] Yes. I could see you--the whole of
you--in his letters of late.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Gallingly.] I have made the best use of these eight
years. I have had him under my own eye, you see.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Controlling herself.] What have you said to
Erhart about me? Is it the sort of thing you can tell me?
MRS. BORKMAN. Oh yes, I can tell you well enough.
ELLA RENTHEIM. Then please do.
MRS. BORKMAN. I have only told him the truth.
ELLA RENTHEIM. Well?
MRS. BORKMAN. I have impressed upon him, every day of his life,
that he must never forget that it is you we have to thank for being able
to live as we do--for being able to live at all.
ELLA RENTHEIM. Is that all?
MRS. BORKMAN. Oh, that is the sort of thing that rankles; I feel that
in my own heart.

ELLA RENTHEIM. But that is very much what Erhart knew already.
MRS. BORKMAN. When he came home to me, he imagined that you
did