ell, 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 h