MRS. BORKMAN.
[Smiling.] Yes, I have taken that liberty. Could you not see
that in his letters?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Nods slowly.] Yes. I could see you--the whole of you--in his
letters of late.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Gallingly.] I have made the best use of these eight years. I
have had him under my own eye, you see.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Controlling herself.] What have you said to Erhart about me?
Is it the sort of thing you can tell me?

MRS. BORKMAN.
Oh yes, I can tell you well enough.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Then please do.

MRS. BORKMAN.
I have only told him the truth.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Well?

MRS. BORKMAN.
I have impressed upon him, every day of his life, that he must