ver--as if he had been the king himself.
"John Gabriel," "John Gabriel," "John Gabriel." Every one knew
what a great man "John Gabriel" was!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Warmly and emphatically.] He was a great man then.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, to all appearance. But he never breathed a single word to
me as to his real position--never gave a hint as to where he got
his means from.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
No, no; and other people did not dream of it either.

MRS. BORKMAN.
I don't care about the other people. But it was his duty to
tell me the truth. And that he never did! He kept on lying to
me--lying abominably----

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Interrupting.] Surely not, Gunhild. He kept things back
perhaps, but I am sure he did not lie.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Well, well; call it what you please; it makes no difference.
And then it all fell to pieces--the whole thing.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[To herself.] Yes, everything fell to pieces--for him--and
for others.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Drawing herself up menacingly.] But I tell you this, Ella,
I do not give in yet! I shall redeem myself yet--you may make
up your mind to that!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Eagerly.] Redeem yourself! What do you mean by that?

MRS. BORKMAN.
Redeem my name, and honour, and fortune! Redeem my ruined life--
that is what I mean! I have some one in reserve, let me tell you--
one who will wash away every stain that he has left.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Gunhild! Gunhild!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[With rising excitement.] There is an avenger living, I tell
you! One who will make up to me for all his father's sins!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Erhart you mean.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, Erhart, my own boy! He will redeem the family, the house,
the name. All that can be redeemed.--And perhaps more besides.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
And how do you think that is to be done?

MRS. BORKMAN.
It must be done as best it can; I don't know how. But I know
that it must and shall be done. [Looks searchingly at her.] Come
now, Ella; isn't that really what you have had in mind too, ever
since he was a child?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
No, I can't exactly say that.

MRS. BORKMAN.
No? Then why did you take charge of him when the storm broke
upon--upon this house?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
You could not look after him yourself at that time, Gunhild.

MRS. BORKMAN.
No, no, I could not. And his father--he had a valid enough
excuse--while he was there--in safe keeping----

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Indignant