rst of all, I will go out and see to
all my buried treasures.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Looking anxiously at him.] John--I don't understand you.

BORKMAN.
[With laughter, interrupted by coughing.] Oh, it is not hidden
plunder I mean; don't be afraid of that, Ella. [Stopping, and
pointing outwards.] Do you see that man there? Who is it?

[VILHELM FOLDAL, in an old cape, covered with snow, with his
hat-brim turned down, and a large umbrella in his hand,
advances towards the corner of the house, laboriously
stumbling through the snow. He is noticeably lame in
his left foot.

BORKMAN.
Vilhelm! What do you want with me again?

FOLDAL.
[Looking up.] Good heavens, are you out on the steps, John
Gabriel? [Bowing.] And Mrs. Borkman, too, I see.

BORKMAN.
[Shortly.] This is not Mrs. Borkman.

FOLDAL.
Oh, I beg pardon. You see, I have lost my spectacles in the
snow. But how is it that you, who never put your foot out of
doors----?

BORKMAN.
[Carelessly and gaily.] It is high time I should come out
into the open air again, don't you see? Nearly three years in
detention--five years in prison--eight years in the gallery up
there----

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Distressed.] Borkman, I beg you----

FOLDAL.
Ah yes, yes, yes!

BORKMAN.
But I want to know what has brought you here.

FOLDAL.
[Still standing at the foot of the steps.] I wanted to come up
to you, John Gabriel. I felt I must come to you, in the gallery.
Ah me, that gallery----!

BORKMAN.
Did you want to come up to me after I had shown you the door?

FOLDAL.
Oh, I couldn't let that stand in the way.

BORKMAN.
What have you done to your foot? I see you are limping?

FOLDAL.
Yes, what do you think--I have been run over.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Run over!

FOLDAL.
Yes, by a covered sledge.

BORKMAN.
Oho!

FOLDAL.
With two horses. They came down the hill at a tearing gallop.
I couldn't get out of the way quick enough; and so----

ELLA RENTHEIM.
And so they ran over you?

FOLDAL.
They came right down upon me, madam--or miss. They came right
upon me and sent me rolling over and over in the snow--so that I
lost my spectacles and got my umbrella broken. [Rubbing his leg.]
And my ankle a little hurt too.

BORKMAN.
[Laughing inwardly.] Do you know who were in that sledge,
Vilhelm?

FOLDAL.
No, how could I see? It was a covered sledge, and the curtains
were