[Quickly.] Erhart--Mr. Borkman came in with me.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looking hard at him.] Indeed, Erhart! You don't come to your
mother first?

ERHART.
I had just to look in at Mrs. Wilton's for a moment--to call
for little Frida.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Is that Miss Foldal with you too?

MRS. WILTON.
Yes, we have left her in the hall.

ERHART.
[Addressing some one through the open door.] You can go right
upstairs, Frida.

[Pause. ELLA RENTHEIM observes ERHART. He seems embarrassed
and a little impatient; his face has assumed a nervous and
colder expression.

[THE MAID brings the lighted lamp into the garden-room, goes
out again and closes the door behind her.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[With forced politeness.] Well, Mrs. Wilton, if you will give
us the pleasure of your company this evening, won't you----