Ghosts | Page 5

really good sort of people, you know.
Regina. And what should I--?
Engstrand. You would help there: But only to make show, you know.
You wouldn't find it hard work, I can promise you, my girl. You should

do exactly as you liked.
Regina. Oh, yes, quite so!
Engstrand. But we must have some women in the house; that is as clear
as daylight. Because in the evening we must make the place a little
attractive-- some singing and dancing, and that sort of thing. Remember
they are seafolk-- wayfarers on the waters of life! (Coming nearer to
her.) Now don't be a fool and stand in your own way, Regina. What
good are you going to do here? Will this education, that your mistress
has paid for, be of any use? You are to look after the children in the
new Home, I hear. Is that the sort of work for you? Are you so
frightfully anxious to go and wear out your health and strength for the
sake of these dirty brats?
Regina. No, if things were to go as I want them to, then--. Well, it may
happen; who knows? It may happen!
Engstrand. What may happen?
Regina. Never you mind. Is it much that you have put by, up here?
Engstrand. Taking it all round, I should say about forty or fifty pounds.
Regina. That's not so bad.
Engstrand. It's enough to make a start with, my girl.
Regina. Don't you mean to give me any of the money?
Engstrand. No, I'm hanged if I do.
Regina. Don't you mean to send me as much as a dress-length of stuff,
just for once?
Engstrand. Come and live in the town with me and you shall have
plenty of dresses.
Regina: Pooh!--I can get that much for myself, if I have a mind to.

Engstrand. But it's far better to have a father's guiding hand, Regina.
Just now I can get a nice house in Little Harbour Street. They don't
want much money down for it-- and we could make it like a sort of
seamen's home, don't you know.
Regina. But I have no intention of living with you! I'll have nothing
whatever to do with you: So now, be off!
Engstrand. You wouldn't be living with me long, my girl. No such
luck-- not if you knew how to play your cards. Such a fine wench as
you have grown this last year or two...
Regina. Well--?
Engstrand. It wouldn't be very long before some first mate came
along-- or perhaps a captain.
Regina. I don't mean to marry a man of that sort. Sailors have no
savoir-vivre.
Engstrand. What haven't they got?
Regina. I know what sailors are, I tell you. They aren't the sort of
people to marry.
Engstrand. Well, don't bother about marrying them. You can make it
pay just as well. (More confidentially.) That fellow--the
Englishman--the one with the yacht--he gave seventy pounds, he did;
and she wasn't a bit prettier than you.
Regina (advancing towards him). Get out!
Engstrand (stepping back). Here! here!--you're not going to hit me, I
suppose?
Regina. Yes! If you talk like that of mother, I will hit you. Get out, I
tell. You! (Pushes him up to the garden door.) And don't bang the doors.
Young Mr. Alving--

Engstrand. Is asleep--I know. It's funny how anxious you are about
young Mr. Alving. (In a lower tone.) Oho! is it possible that it is he
that--?
Regina. Get out, and be quick about it! Your wits are wandering, my
good man. No, don't go that way; Mr. Manders is just coming along. Be
off down the kitchen stairs.
Engstrand (moving towards the. right). Yes, yes--all right. But have a
bit of a chat with him that's coming along. He's the chap to tell you
what a child owes to its father. For I am your father, anyway, you know,
I can prove it by the Register. (He goes out through the farther door
which REGINA has opened. She shuts it after him, looks hastily at
herself in the mirror, fans herself with her handkerchief and sets her
collar straight; then busies herself with the flowers. MANDERS enters
the conservatory through the garden door. He wears an overcoat,
carries an umbrella, and has a small travelling-bag slung over his
shoulder on a strap.)
Manders. Good morning, Miss Engstrand.
Regina (turning round with a look of pleased. surprise), Oh, Mr.
Manders, good morning. The boat is in, then?
Manders. Just in. (Comes into the room.) It is most tiresome, this rain
every day.
Regina (following him in). It's a splendid rain for the farmers, Mr.
Manders.
Manders. Yes, you are quite right. We townfolk think so little about
that. (Begins to take off his overcoat.)
Regina. Oh, let me help you.