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Borkman.
[Taken aback.] What do you mean by that?
Ella Rentheim.
I suppose you know I have been in bad health for many years past?
Borkman.
Have you?
Ella Rentheim.
Do you not know that?
Borkman.
No, I cannot say I did
Ella Rentheim.
[Looking at him in surprise.] Has Erhart not told you so?
Borkman.
I really don't remember at the moment.
Ella Rentheim.
Perhaps he has not spoken of me at all?
Borkman.
Oh, yes, I believe he has spoken of you. But the fact is, I so seldom see anything of him—scarcely ever. There is a certain person below that keeps him away from me. Keeps him away, you understand?
Ella Rentheim.
Are you quite sure of that, Borkman?