Wrung with pain.] Father, I cannot now. It is utterly
impossible!

BORKMAN.
What do you want to do then?

ERHART.
[With a sudden glow.] I am young! I want to live, for once
in a way, as well as other people! I want to live my own life!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
You cannot give up two or three little months to brighten the
close of a poor waning life?

ERHART.
I cannot, Aunt, however much I may wish to.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Not for the sake of one who loves you so dearly?

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looking sharply at him.] And your mother has no power over
you either, any more?

ERHART.
I will always love you, mother; but I cannot go on living for
you alone. This is no life for me.

BORKMAN.
Then come and join with me, after all! For life, life means
work, Erhart. Come, we two will go forth into life and work
together!

ERHART.
[Passionately.] Yes, but I don't want to work now! For I am
young! That's what I never realised before; but now the knowledge
is tingling through every vein in my body. I will not work! I
will only live, live, live!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[With a cry of divination.] Erhart, what will you live for?

ERHART.
[With sparkling eyes.] For happiness, mother!

MRS. BORKMAN.
And where do you think you can find that?

ERHART.
I have found it, already!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Shrieks.] Erhart! [ERHART goes quickly to the hall door and
throws it open.]

ERHART.
[Calls out.] Fanny, you can come in now!

[MRS. WILTON, in outdoor wraps, appears on the threshold.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[With uplifted hands.] Mrs. Wilton!

MRS. WILTON.
[Hesitating a little, with an enquiring glance at ERHART.] Do you
want me to----?

ERHART.
Yes, now you can come in. I have told them everything.

[MRS. WILTON comes forward into the room. ERHART closes the
door behind her. She bows formally to BORKMAN, who returns
her bow in silence. A short pause.

MRS. WILTON.
[In a subdued but firm voice.] So the word has been spoken--
and I suppose you all think I have brought a great calamity upon
this house?

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Slowly, looking hard at her.] You have crushed the last
remnant of interest in life for me. [With an outburst.] But
all of this--all this is utterly impossible!

MRS. WILTON.
I can quite understand that it must appear impossible to you,
Mrs. Borkman.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, you can surely see for yourself that it is impossible.