MRS. BORKMAN. You must have seen me through the curtains then. You have good eyes. [Harshly and cuttingly.] But the last time we spoke to each other--it was here in this room---- ELLA RENTHEIM. [Trying to stop her.] Yes, yes; I know, Gunhild! MRS. BORKMAN. --the week before he--before he was let out. ELLA RENTHEIM. [Moving towards the back.] O, don't speak about that. MRS. BORKMAN. [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 the 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 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. [Cautiously.] Tell me, Gunhild, how does he bear it? MRS. BORKMAN. Erhart, do you mean? ELLA RENTHEIM. No--he himself. How does he bear it?