that I have worked. All the increase in the value of the property, all the improvements, all the useful arrangements that my husband got the honour and glory of—do you suppose that he troubled himself about any of them? He, who used to lie the whole day on the sofa reading old official lists! No, you may as well know that too. It was I that kept him up to the mark when he had his lucid intervals; it was I that had to bear the whole burden of it when he began his excesses again or took to whining about his miserable condition. 

 Manders. And this is the man you are building a memorial to! 

 Mrs. Alving. There you see the power of an uneasy conscience. 

 Manders. An uneasy conscience? What do you mean? 

 Mrs. Alving. I had always before me the fear that it was impossible that the truth should not come out and be believed. That is why the Orphanage is to exist, to silence all rumours and clear away all doubt. 

 Manders. You certainly have not fallen short of the mark in that, Mrs. Alving. 

 Mrs. Alving. I had another very good reason. I did not wish Oswald, my own son, to inherit a penny that belonged to his father. 

 Manders. Then it is with Mr. Alving's property. 

 Mrs. Alving. Yes. The sums of money that, year after year, I have given towards this Orphanage, make up the amount of property—I have reckoned it carefully—which in the old days made Lieutenant Alving a catch. 

 Manders. I understand. 

 Mrs. Alving. That was my purchase money. I don't wish it to pass into Oswald's hands. My son shall have everything from me, I am determined. 

 (OSWALD comes in by the farther door on the right. He has left his hat and coat outside.) 

 Mrs. Alving. Back again, my own dear boy? 

 Oswald. Yes, what can one do outside in this everlasting rain? I hear dinner is nearly ready. That's good! 

 (REGINA comes in front the dining-room, carrying a parcel.) 

 Regina. This parcel has come for you, ma'am. (Gives it to her.) 

 Prev. P 28/70 next