John Gabriel Borkman Part 19

[Boiling inwardly.] Oh, you can't do that.

BORKMAN.

I can when once I come into power again.

FOLDAL.

That won't be for many a day.

BORKMAN.

[Vehemently.] Perhaps you think that day will never come?

Answer me!

FOLDAL.

I don't know what to answer.

BORKMAN.

[Rising, cold and dignified, and waving his hand towards the door.] Then I no longer have any use for you.

FOLDAL.

[Starting up.] No use----!

BORKMAN.

Since you do not believe that the tide will turn for me----

FOLDAL.

How can I believe in the teeth of all reason? You would have to be legally rehabilitated----

BORKMAN.

Go on! go on!

FOLDAL.

It's true I never pa.s.sed my examination; but I have read enough law to know that----

BORKMAN.

[Quickly.] It is impossible, you mean?

FOLDAL.

There is no precedent for such a thing.

BORKMAN.

Exceptional men are above precedents.

FOLDAL.

The law knows nothing of such distinctions.

BORKMAN.

[Harshly and decisively.] You are no poet, Vilhelm.

FOLDAL.

[Unconsciously folding his hands.] Do you say that in sober earnest?

BORKMAN.

[Dismissing the subject, without answering.] We are only wasting each other's time. You had better not come here again.

FOLDAL.

Then you really want me to leave you?

BORKMAN.

[Without looking at him.] I have no longer any use for you.

FOLDAL.

[Softly, taking his portfolio.] No, no, no; I daresay not.

BORKMAN.

Here you have been lying to me all the time.

FOLDAL.

[Shaking his head.] Never lying, John Gabriel.

BORKMAN.

Have you not sat here feeding me with hope, and trust, and confidence--that was all a lie?

FOLDAL.

It wasn't a lie so long as you believed in my vocation. So long as you believed in me, I believed in you.

BORKMAN.

Then we have been all the time deceiving each other. And perhaps deceiving ourselves--both of us.

FOLDAL.

But isn't that just the essence of friends.h.i.+p, John Gabriel?

BORKMAN.

[Smiling bitterly.] Yes, you are right there. Friends.h.i.+p means--deception. I have learnt that once before.

FOLDAL.

[Looking at him.] I have no poetic vocation! And you could actually say it to me so bluntly.

BORKMAN.

[In a gentler tone.] Well, you know, I don't pretend to know much about these matters.

FOLDAL.

Perhaps you know more than you think.

BORKMAN.

I?

FOLDAL.

[Softly.] Yes, you. For I myself have had my doubts, now and then, I may tell you. The horrible doubt that I may have bungled my life for the sake of a delusion.

BORKMAN.