[Not listening to her.] Can you see the smoke of the great steamships out on the fiord?
Ella Rentheim.
No.
Borkman.
I can. They come and they go. They weave a network of fellowship all round the world. They shed light and warmth over the souls of men in many thousands of homes. That was what I dreamed of doing.
Ella Rentheim.
[Softly.] And it remained a dream.
Borkman.
It remained a dream, yes. [Listening.] And hark, down by the river, dear! The factories are working! My factories! All those that I would have created! Listen! Do you hear them humming? The night shift is on—so they are working night and day. Hark! hark! the wheels are whirling and the bands are flashing—round and round and round. Can’t you hear, Ella?
Ella Rentheim.