my question? 

 Engstrand. My conscience? Well—it's uneasy sometimes, of course. 

 Manders. Ah, you admit that at all events. Now will you tell me, without any concealment—what is your relationship to Regina? 

 Mrs. Alving (hastily). Mr. Manders! 

 Manders (calming her).—Leave it to me! 

 Engstrand. With Regina? Good Lord, how you frightened me! (Looks at MRS ALVING.) There is nothing wrong with Regina, is there? 

 Manders. Let us hope not. What I want to know is, what is your relationship to her? You pass as her father, don't you? 

 Engstrand (unsteadily): Well—hm!—you know, sir, what happened between me and my poor Joanna. 

 Manders. No more distortion of the truth! Your late wife made a full confession to Mrs. Alving, before she left her service... 

 Engstrand. What!—do you mean to say—? Did she do that after all? 

 Manders. You see it has all come out, Engstrand. 

 Engstrand. Do you mean to say that she, who gave me her promise and solemn oath— 

 Manders. Did she take an oath? 

 Engstrand. Well, no—she only gave me her word, but as seriously as a woman could. 

 Manders. And all these years you have been hiding the truth from me—from me, who have had such complete and absolute faith in you. 

 Engstrand. I am sorry to say I have, sir. 

 Manders. Did I deserve that from you, Engstrand? Haven't I been always ready to help you in word and deed as far as lay in my power? Answer me! Is it not so? 

 Engstrand. Indeed there's many a time I should have been very badly off without you, sir. 

 Manders. And this is the way you repay me—by causing me to make false entries 

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