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.