MRS. ALVING. [In an undertone.] It is all for the best. That Orphanage would have done no one any good.       

         MANDERS. Do you think not?       

         MRS. ALVING. Do you think it would?       

         MANDERS. It is a terrible misfortune, all the same.       

         MRS. ALVING. Let us speak of it plainly, as a matter of business.—Are you waiting for Mr. Manders, Engstrand?       

         ENGSTRAND. [At the hall door.] That's just what I'm a-doing of, ma'am.       

         MRS. ALVING. Then sit down meanwhile.       

         ENGSTRAND. Thank you, ma'am; I'd as soon stand.       

         MRS. ALVING. [To MANDERS.] I suppose you are going by the steamer?       

         MANDERS. Yes; it starts in an hour.       

         MRS. ALVING. Then be so good as to take all the papers with you. I won't hear another word about this affair. I have other things to think of—       

         MANDERS. Mrs. Alving—       

         MRS. ALVING. Later on I shall send you a Power of Attorney to settle everything as you please.       

         MANDERS. That I will very readily undertake. The original destination of the endowment must now be completely changed, alas!       

         MRS. ALVING. Of course it must.       

         MANDERS. I think, first of all, I shall arrange that the Solvik property shall pass to the parish. The land is by no means without value. It can always be turned to account for some purpose or other. And the interest of the money in the Bank I could, perhaps, best apply for the benefit of some undertaking of acknowledged value to the town.       

         MRS. ALVING. Do just as you please. The whole matter is now completely         

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