MRS. WILTON.
[Looks at her, and says in a low voice.] I could not do that,
Mrs. Borkman.
MRS. BORKMAN.
Why could you not?
MRS. WILTON.
Because for me too this meant happiness.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Scornfully.] H'm, happiness, happiness——
MRS. WILTON. I have never before known happiness in life. And I cannot possibly drive happiness away from me, merely because it comes so late.
MRS. BORKMAN.
And how long do you think this happiness will last?
ERHART. [Interrupting.] Whether it lasts or does not last, mother, it doesn't matter now!
MRS. BORKMAN. [In anger.] Blind boy that you are! Do you not see where all this is leading you?
ERHART. I don't want to look into the future. I don't want to look around me in any direction; I am only determined to live my own life—at last!
MRS. BORKMAN.
[With deep pain.] And you call this life, Erhart!