Mrs. Borkman.

[Looking solemnly at him.] Be strong, Erhart! Be strong, my son! Do not forget that you have your great mission.

Erhart.

Oh mother—do spare me these phrases! I wasn’t born to be a "missionary."—Good-night, aunt dear! Good-night, mother!

[He goes hastily out through the hall.

Mrs. Borkman.

[After a short silence.] It has not taken you long to recapture him, Ella, after all.

Ella Rentheim.

I wish I could believe it.

Mrs. Borkman.