MRS. BORKMAN.
No, no, I could not. And his father--he had a valid enough
excuse--while he was there--in safe keeping----

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Indignant.] Oh, how can you say such things!--You!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[With a venomous expression.] And how could you make up your
mind to take charge of the child of a--a John Gabriel! Just as
if he had been your own? To take the child away from me--home
with you--and keep him there year after year, until the boy was
nearly grown up. [Looking suspiciously at her.] What was your
real reason, Ella? Why did you keep him with you?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
I came to love him so dearly----

MRS. BORKMAN.
More than I--his mother?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Evasively.] I don't know about that. And then, you know,
Erhart was rather delicate as a child----

MRS. BORKMAN.
Erhart--delicate!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Yes, I thought so--at that time at any rate. And you know the