John Gabriel Borkman Part 38

BORKMAN.

You may be quite sure of that. Everything was genuine--both outside and in.

FOLDAL.

[In quiet emotion.] Isn't it strange how fortune can sometimes befriend one? It is my--my little gift of song that has trans.m.u.ted itself into music in Frida. So after all, it is not for nothing that I was born a poet. For now she is going forth into the great wide world, that I once yearned so pa.s.sionately to see. Little Frida sets out in a splendid covered sledge with silver bells on the harness----

BORKMAN.

And runs over her father.

FOLDAL.

[Happily.] Oh, pooh! What does it matter about me, if only the child----! Well, so I am too late, then, after all. I must go home again and comfort her mother. I left her crying in the kitchen.

BORKMAN.

Crying?

FOLDAL.

[Smiling.] Yes, would you believe it, she was crying her eyes out when I came away.

BORKMAN.

And you are laughing, Vilhelm?

FOLDAL.

Yes, _I_ am, of course. But she, poor thing, she doesn't know any better, you see. Well, good-bye! It's a good thing I have the tramway so handy. Good-bye, good-bye, John Gabriel. Good-bye, Madam.

[He bows and limps laboriously out by the way he came.

BORKMAN.

[Stands silent for a moment, gazing before him.] Good-bye, Vilhelm! It is not the first time in your life that you've been run over, old friend.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Looking at him with suppressed anxiety.] You are so pale, John, so very pale.

BORKMAN.

That is the effect of the prison air up yonder.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

I have never seen you like this before.

BORKMAN.

No, for I suppose you have never seen an escaped convict before.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

Oh, do come into the house with me, John!

BORKMAN.

It is no use trying to lure me in. I have told you----

ELLA RENTHEIM.

But when I beg and implore you----? For your own sake----

[THE MAID opens the door, and stands in the doorway.

THE MAID.

I beg your pardon. Mrs. Borkman told me to lock the front door now.

BORKMAN.

[In a low voice, to ELLA.] You see, they want to lock me up again!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[To THE MAID.] Mr. Borkman is not quite well. He wants to have a little fresh air before coming in.

THE MAID.

But Mrs. Borkman told me to----

ELLA RENTHEIM.

I shall lock the door. Just leave the key in the lock.

THE MAID.

Oh, very well; I'll leave it.

[She goes into the house again.

BORKMAN.

[Stands silent for a moment, and listens; then goes hastily down the steps and out into the open s.p.a.ce.] Now I am outside the walls, Ella! Now they will never get hold of me again!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Who has gone down to him.] But you are a free man in there, too, John. You can come and go just as you please.

BORKMAN.

[Softly, as though in terror.] Never under a roof again! It is so good to be out here in the night. If I went up into the gallery now, ceiling and walls would shrink together and crush me--crush me flat as a fly.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

But where will you go, then?

BORKMAN.

I will simply go on, and on, and on. I will try if I cannot make my way to freedom, and life, and human beings again. Will you go with me, Ella?

ELLA RENTHEIM.

I? Now?

BORKMAN.

Yes, at once!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

But how far?

BORKMAN.

As far as ever I can.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

Oh, but think what you are doing! Out in this raw, cold winter night----