ng to the Hinkels', Erhart!

ERHART.
[Impatiently.] Well, really, mother, I don't think I can well
get out of it. What do you say, Aunt?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
I should like you to feel quite free, Erhart.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Goes up to her menacingly.] You want to take him away from me!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Rising.] Yes, if only I could, Gunhild!
[Music is heard from above.

ERHART.
[Writhing as if in pain.] Oh, I can't endure this! [Looking
round.] What have I done with my hat? [To ELLA RENTHEIM.] Do
you know the air that she is playing up there?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
No. What is it?

ERHART.
It's the _Danse Macabre_--the Dance of Death! Don't you know
the Dance of Death, Aunt?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Smiling sadly.] Not yet, Erhart.

ERHART.
[To MRS. BORKMAN.] Mother--I beg and implore you--let me go!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looks hardly at him.] Away from your mother? So that is what
you want to do?

ERHART.
Of course I'll come out again--to-morrow perhaps.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[With passionate emotion.] You want to go away from me! To be
with those strange people! With--with--no, I will not even think
of it!

ERHART.
There are bright lights down there, and young, happy faces; and
there's music there, mother!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Pointing upwards.] There is music here, too, Erhart.

ERHART.
Yes, it's just that music that drives me out of the house.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Do you grudge your father a moment of self-forgetfulness?

ERHART.
No, I don't. I'm very, very glad that he should have it--if
only _I_ don't have to listen.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looking solemnly at him.] Be strong, Erhart! Be strong, my
son! Do not forget that you have your great mission.

ERHART.
Oh, mother--do spare me these phrases! I wasn't born to be
a "missionary."--Good-night, aunt dear! Good-night, mother.
[He goes hastily out through the hall.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[After a short silence.] It has not taken you long to recapture
him, Ella, after all.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
I wish I could believe it.

MRS. BORKMAN.
But you shall see you won't be allowed to keep him long.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Allowed? By you, do you mean?

MRS. BORKMAN.
By me or--by her, the other one----

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Then rather she than you.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Nodding slowly.] That I understand. I say the same. Rather
she than you.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Whatever should become of him in the end----

MRS. BO