expose ourselves to misinterpretation; and we have no right whatever to give offence to the weaker brethren. 
MRS. ALVING. You, as a clergyman, certainly should not. 
MANDERS. I really think, too, we may trust that such an institution has fortune on its side; in fact, that it stands under a special providence. 
MRS. ALVING. Let us hope so, Pastor Manders. 
MANDERS. Then we will let it take its chance? 
MRS. ALVING. Yes, certainly. 
MANDERS. Very well. So be it. [Makes a note.] Then--no insurance. 
MRS. ALVING. It's odd that you should just happen to mention the matter to-day-- 
MANDERS. I have often thought of asking you about it-- 
MRS. ALVING.--for we very nearly had a fire down there yesterday. 
MANDERS. You don't say so! 
MRS. ALVING. Oh, it was a trifling matter. A heap of shavings had caught fire in the carpenter's workshop. 
MANDERS. Where Engstrand works? 
MRS. ALVING. Yes. They say he's often very careless with matches. 
MANDERS. He has so much on his mind, that man--so many things to fight against. Thank God, he is now striving to lead a decent life, I hear. 
MRS. ALVING. Indeed! Who says so? 
MANDERS. He himself assures me of it. And he is certainly a capital workman. 
MRS. ALVING. Oh, yes; so long as he's sober-- 
MANDERS. Ah, that melancholy weakness! But, he is often driven to it by his injured leg, he says. Last time he was in town I was really touched by him. He came and thanked me so warmly for having got him work here, so that he might be near Regina. 
MRS. ALVING. He doesn't see much of her. 
MANDERS. Oh, yes; he has a talk with her every day. He told me so himself. 
MRS. ALVING. Well, it may be so. 
MANDERS. He feels so acutely that he needs some one to keep a firm hold on him when temptation comes. That is what I cannot help liking about Jacob Engstrand: he comes to you so helplessly, accusing himself and confessing his own weakness. The last time he was talking to me--Believe me, Mrs. Alving, supposing it were a real necessity for him to have Regina home again-- 
MRS. ALVING. [Rising hastily.] Regina! 
MANDERS.--you must not set yourself against it. 
MRS. ALVING. Indeed I shall set myself against it. And besides--Regina is to have a position in the Orphanage. 
MANDERS. But, after all, remember he is her father-- 
MRS. ALVING. Oh, I know very well what sort of a father he has been to her. No! She shall never go to him with my goodwill. 
MANDERS. [Rising.] My dear lady, don't take the matter so warmly. You sadly misjudge poor Engstrand. You seem to be quite terrified-- 
MRS. ALVING. [More quietly.] It makes no difference. I have taken Regina into my house, and there she shall stay. [Listens.] Hush, my dear Mr. Manders; say no more about it. [Her face lights up with gladness.] Listen! there is Oswald coming downstairs. Now we'll 

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