us two innocent ones! The dishonour! The hateful, terrible
dishonour! And then the utter ruin too!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Cautiously.] Tell me, Gunhild, how does he bear it?

MRS. BORKMAN.
Erhart, do you mean?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
No--he himself. How does he bear it?

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Scornfully.] Do you think I ever ask about that?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Ask? Surely you do not require to ask----

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looks at her in surprise.] You don't suppose I ever have
anything to do with him? That I ever meet him? That I see
anything of him?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Not even that!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[As before.] The man was in gaol, in gaol for five years!
[Covers her face with her hands.] Oh, the crushing shame of it!
[With increased vehemence.] And then to think of all that the