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ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Looks at him smilingly.] I mean to.
ERHART.
[Eagerly.] And then we could have a good long talk to-morrow-- or some other day, of course--about this and that--about things in general--you and mother and I. Wouldn't that be much the best plan, Aunt Ella?
MRS. BORKMAN.
[With an outburst, rising from the sofa.] Erhart, I can see you are going to leave me!
ERHART.
[Starts.] What do you mean by that?
MRS. BORKMAN.
You are going down to--to the Hinkels'?
ERHART.
[Involuntarily.] Oh, that! [Collecting himself.] Well, you wouldn't have me sit here and keep Aunt Ella up half the night?
Remember, she's an invalid, mother.
MRS. BORKMAN.
You are going to the Hinkels', Erhart!
ERHART.
[Impatiently.] Well, really, mother, I don't think I can well get out of it. What do you say, Aunt?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
I should like you to feel quite free, Erhart.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Goes up to her menacingly.] You want to take him away from me!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Rising.] Yes, if only I could, Gunhild!
[Music is heard from above.
ERHART.
[Writhing as if in pain.] Oh, I can't endure this! [Looking round.] What have I done with my hat? [To ELLA RENTHEIM.] Do you know the air that she is playing up there?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
No. What is it?
ERHART.
It's the _Danse Macabre_--the Dance of Death! Don't you know the Dance of Death, Aunt?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Smiling sadly.] Not yet, Erhart.
ERHART.
[To MRS. BORKMAN.] Mother--I beg and implore you--let me go!
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looks hardly at him.] Away from your mother? So that is what you want to do?
ERHART.
Of course I'll come out again--to-morrow perhaps.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[With pa.s.sionate emotion.] You want to go away from me! To be with those strange people! With--with--no, I will not even think of it!
ERHART.
There are bright lights down there, and young, happy faces; and there's music there, mother!
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Pointing upwards.] There is music here, too, Erhart.
ERHART.
Yes, it's just that music that drives me out of the house.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Do you grudge your father a moment of self-forgetfulness?
ERHART.
No, I don't. I'm very, very glad that he should have it--if only _I_ don't have to listen.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looking solemnly at him.] Be strong, Erhart! Be strong, my son! Do not forget that you have your great mission.
ERHART.
Oh, mother--do spare me these phrases! I wasn't born to be a "missionary."--Good-night, aunt dear! Good-night, mother.
[He goes hastily out through the hall.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[After a short silence.] It has not taken you long to recapture him, Ella, after all.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
I wish I could believe it.
MRS. BORKMAN.
But you shall see you won't be allowed to keep him long.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Allowed? By you, do you mean?
MRS. BORKMAN.
By me or--by her, the other one----
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Then rather she than you.
