Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/320



[Looking sternly at him.] So you know all this—about the other.

Yes, mother, I know quite well—all about it!

And yet you can say that it makes no difference to you?

[With defiant petulance.] I can only tell you that it is happiness I must have! I am young! I want to live, live, live!

Yes, you are young, Erhart. Too young for this.

[Firmly and earnestly.] You must not think, Mrs. Borkman, that I haven't said the same to him. I have laid my whole life before him. Again and again I have reminded him that I am seven years older than he

[Interrupting.] Oh nonsense,  Fanny—I knew that all the time.

But nothing—nothing was of any use.