yourself wholly to me? Be to me, as though you were my own
child----?

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Interrupting.] And forsake your mother, and perhaps your
mission in life as well? Will you, Erhart?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
I am condemned to death. Answer me, Erhart.

ERHART.
[Warmly, with emotion.] Aunt Ella, you have been unspeakably
good to me. With you I grew up in as perfect happiness as any
boy can ever have known----

MRS. BORKMAN.
Erhart, Erhart!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Oh, how glad I am that you can still say that!

ERHART.
But I cannot sacrifice myself to you now. It is not possible
for me to devote myself wholly to taking a son's place towards you.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Triumphing.] Ah, I knew it! You shall not have him! You shall
not have him, Ella!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Sadly.] I see it. You have won him back.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, yes! Mine he is, and mine he shall remain! Erhart, say
it is so, dear; we two have still a long way to go together, have
we not?

ERHART.
[Struggling with himself.] Mother, I may as well tell you
plainly----

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Eagerly.] What?

ERHART.
I am afraid it is only a very little way you and I can go
together.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Stands as though thunderstruck.] What do yo mean by that?

ERHART.
[Plucking up spirit.] Good heavens, mother, I am young, after
all! I feel as if the close air of this room must stifle me in
the end.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Close air? Here--with me?

ERHART.
Yes, here with you, mother.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Then come with me, Erhart.

ERHART.
Oh, Aunt Ella, it's not a whit better with you. It's different,
but no better--no better for me. It smells of rose-leaves and
lavender there too; it is as airless there as here.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Shaken, but having recovered her composure with an effort.]
Airless in your mother's room, you say!

ERHART.
[In growing impatience.] Yes, I don't know how else to express
it. All this morbid watchfulness and--and idolisation, or whatever
you like to call it---- I can't endure it any longer!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looking at him with deep solemnity.] Have you forgotten what
you have consecrated your life to, Erhart?

ERHART.
[With an outburst.] Oh, say rather what you have consecrated
my life to. You, you have been my will. You have never given
me leave to have any of my own. But now I cannot bear this yoke
any longer. I am young; remember that, mother. [With a