Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/198



You could not look after him yourself at that time, Gunhild.

No, no, I could not. And his father—he had a valid enough excuse—while he was there—in safe keeping

[Indignant.] Oh, how can you say such things!—You!

[With a venomous expression.] And how could you make up your mind to take charge of the child of a—a John Gabriel! Just as if he had been your own? To take the child away from me—home with you—and keep him there year after year, until the boy was nearly grown up. [Looking suspiciously at her.] What was your real reason, Ella? Why did you keep him with you?

I came to love him so dearly

More than I—his mother?

[Evasively.] I don't know about that. And then, you know, Erhart was rather delicate as a child

Erhart—delicate!