Well, then, I think you ought to go quite early to bed.

Ella Rentheim.

[Looks at him smilingly.] I mean to.

Erhart.

[Eagerly.] And then we could have a good long talk to-morrow—or some other day, of course—about this and that—about things in general—you and mother and I. Wouldn’t that be much the best plan, Aunt Ella?

Mrs. Borkman.

[With an outburst, rising from the sofa.] Erhart, I can see you are going to leave me!

Erhart.

[Starts.] What do you mean by that?

Mrs. Borkman.