Ghosts | Page 6

That's it. Why, how wet it is! I will hang it
up in the hall. Give me your umbrella, too; I will leave it open, so that
it will dry.
(She goes out with the things by the farther door on the right.

MANDERS lays his bag and his hat down on a chair. REGINA re-
enters.)
Manders. Ah, it's very pleasant to get indoors. Well, is everything
going on well here?
Regina. Yes, thanks.
Manders. Properly busy, though, I expect, getting ready for tomorrow?
Regina. Oh, yes, there is plenty to do.
Manders. And Mrs. Alving is at home, I hope?
Regina. Yes, she is. She has just gone upstairs to take the young master
his chocolate.
Manders. Tell me--I heard down at the pier that Oswald had come
back.
Regina. Yes, he came the day before yesterday. We didn't expect him
until today.
Manders. Strong and well, I hope?
Regina. Yes, thank you, well enough. But dreadfully tired after his
journey. He came straight from Paris without a stop--I mean, he came
all the way without breaking his journey. I fancy he is having a sleep
now, so we must talk a little bit more quietly, if you don't mind.
Manders. All right, we will be very quiet.
Regina (while she moves an armchair up to the table), Please sit down,
Mr. Manders, and make yourself at home. (He sits down; she puts a
footstool under his feet.) There! Is that comfortable?
Manders. Thank you, thank you. That is most comfortable; (Looks at
her.) I'll tell you what, Miss Engstrand, I certainly think you have
grown since I saw you last.

Regina. Do you think so? Mrs. Alving says, too-- that I have
developed.
Manders. Developed? Well, perhaps a little--just suitably. (A short
pause.)
Regina. Shall I tell Mrs. Alving you are here?
Manders. Thanks, there is no hurry, my dear child. Now tell me,
Regina my dear, how has your father been getting on here?
Regina. Thank you, Mr. Manders, he is getting on pretty well.
Manders. He came to see me the last time he was in town.
Regina. Did he? He is always so glad when he can have a chat with
you.
Manders. And I suppose you have seen him pretty regularly every day?
Regina. I? Oh, yes, I do--whenever I have time, that is to say.
Manders. Your father has not a very strong character, Miss Engstrand.
He sadly needs a guiding hand.
Regina. Yes, I can quite believe that.
Manders. He needs someone with him that he can cling to, someone
whose judgment he can rely on. He acknowledged that freely himself,
the last time he came up to see me.
Regina. Yes, he has said something of the same sort to me. But I don't
know whether Mrs. Alving could do without me--most of all just now,
when we have the new Orphanage to see about. And I should be
dreadfully unwilling to leave Mrs. Alving, too; she has always been so
good to me.
Manders. But a daughter's duty, my good child--. Naturally we should
have to get your mistress' consent first.

Regina. Still I don't know whether it would be quite the thing, at my
age, to keep house for a single man.
Manders. What! My dear Miss Engstrand, it is your own father we are
speaking of!
Regina. Yes, I dare say, but still--. Now, if it were in a good house and
with a real gentleman--
Manders. But, my dear Regina!
Regina. --one whom I could feel an affection for, and really feel in the
position of a daughter to...
Manders. Come, come--my dear good child--
Regina. I should like very much to live in town. Out here it is terribly
lonely; and you know yourself, Mr. Manders, what it is to be alone in
the world. And, though I say it, I really am both capable and willing.
Don't you know any place that would be suitable for me, Mr. Manders?
Manders. I? No, indeed I don't.
Regina. But, dear Mr. Manders--at any rate don't forget me, in case--
Manders (getting up). No, I won't forget you, Miss Engstrand.
Regina. Because, if I--
Manders. Perhaps you will be so kind as to let Mrs, Alving know I am
here?
Regina. I will fetch her at once, Mr. Manders. (Goes out to the left.
MANDERS walks up and down the room once or twice, stands for a
moment at the farther end of the room with his hands behind his back
and looks out into the garden. Then he comes back to the table, takes
up a book and looks at the title page, gives a start, and looks at some of
the others.)

Manders. Hm!--Really!
(MRS. ALVING comes in by the door on the left. She is followed by
REGINA,