[Firmly, but in a low voice.] It was the week before he—was set at liberty.
Ella Rentheim.
[Coming down.] Oh yes, yes, yes! I shall never forget that time! But it is too terrible to think of! Only to recall it for a moment—oh!
Mrs. Borkman.
[Gloomily.] And yet one’s thoughts can never get away from it! [Vehemently; clenching her hands together.] No, I can’t understand it! I never shall! I can’t understand how such a thing—how anything so horrible can come upon one single family! And then—that it should be our family! So old a family as ours! Think of its choosing us out!
Ella Rentheim.
Oh, Gunhild—there were many, many families besides ours that that blow fell upon.
Mrs. Borkman.
Oh yes; but those others don’t trouble me very much. For in their case it was only a matter of a little money—or some papers. But for us——! For me! And then for Erhart! My little boy—as he then was! [In rising excitement.] The shame that fell upon us two innocent ones! The dishonour! The hateful, terrible dishonour! And then the utter ruin too!
Ella Rentheim.