BORKMAN. It is possible enough, if you have set your heart upon it. For you have the first and strongest claims upon him.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Oh, claims, claims! What is the use of claims? If he is not
mine of his own free will, he is not mine at all. And have him
I must! I must have my boy's heart, whole and undivided—now!
BORKMAN. You must remember that Erhart is well into his twenties. You could scarcely reckon on keeping his heart very long undivided, as you express it.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [With a melancholy smile.] It would not need to be for so very long.
BORKMAN. Indeed? I should have thought that when you want a thing, you want it to the end of your days.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
So I do. But that need not mean for very long.
BORKMAN.
[Taken aback.] What do you mean by that?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
I suppose you know I have been in bad health for many years past?
BORKMAN.
Have you?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Do you not know that?