--the week before he--before he was let out.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Moving towards the back.] O, don't speak about that.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Firmly, but in a low voice.] It was the week before he--was
set at liberty.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Coming down.] Oh yes, yes, yes! I shall never forget that
time! But it is too terrible to think of! Only to recall it
for the moment--oh!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Gloomily.] And yet one's thoughts can never get away from it.
[Vehemently; clenching her hands together.] No, I can't understand
how such a thing--how anything so horrible can come upon one single
family! And then--that it should be our family! So old a family
as ours! Think of its choosing us out!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Oh, Gunhild--there were many, many families besides ours that
that blow fell upon.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Oh yes; but those others don't trouble me very much. For in
their case it was only a matter of a little money--or some papers.
But for us----! For me! And then for Erhart! My little boy--as
he then was! [In rising excitement.] The shame that fell upon