John Gabriel Borkman

by Henrik Ibsen

BORKMAN.
No, I cannot say I did——

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Looking at him in surprise.] Has Erhart not told you so?

BORKMAN.
I really don't remember at the moment.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Perhaps he has not spoken of me at all?

BORKMAN. Oh, yes, I believe he has spoken of you. But the fact is, I so seldom see anything of him—scarcely ever. There is a certain person below that keeps him away from me. Keeps him away, you understand?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Are you quite sure of that, Borkman?

BORKMAN. Yes, absolutely sure. [Changing his tone.] And so you have been in bad health, Ella?

ELLA RENTHEIM. Yes, I have. And this autumn I grew so much worse that I had to come to town and take better medical advice.

BORKMAN.
And you have seen the doctors already?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Yes, this morning.