Ghosts | Page 7

it's him
as--?
REGINA. Be off this minute! You're crazy, I tell you! No, not that way.
There comes Pastor Manders. Down the kitchen stairs with you.
ENGSTRAND. [Towards the right.] Yes, yes, I'm going. But just you
talk to him as is coming there. He's the man to tell you what a child
owes its father. For I am your father all the same, you know. I can
prove it from the church register.
[He goes out through the second door to the right, which REGINA has
opened, and closes again after him. REGINA glances hastily at herself
in the mirror, dusts herself with her pocket handkerchief; and settles her
necktie; then she busies herself with the flowers.]
[PASTOR MANDERS, wearing an overcoat, carrying an umbrella, and
with a small travelling-bag on a strap over his shoulder, comes through
the garden door into the conservatory.]
MANDERS. Good-morning, Miss Engstrand.
REGINA. [Turning round, surprised and pleased.] No, really! Good
morning, Pastor Manders. Is the steamer in already?
MANDERS. It is just in. [Enters the sitting-room.] Terrible weather we
have been having lately.
REGINA. [Follows him.] It's such blessed weather for the country, sir.
MANDERS. No doubt; you are quite right. We townspeople give too
little thought to that. [He begins to take of his overcoat.]
REGINA. Oh, mayn't I help you?--There! Why, how wet it is? I'll just
hang it up in the hall. And your umbrella, too--I'll open it and let it dry.
[She goes out with the things through the second door on the right.
PASTOR MANDERS takes off his travelling bag and lays it and his
hat on a chair. Meanwhile REGINA comes in again.]

MANDERS. Ah, it's a comfort to get safe under cover. I hope
everything is going on well here?
REGINA. Yes, thank you, sir.
MANDERS. You have your hands full, I suppose, in preparation for
to-morrow?
REGINA. Yes, there's plenty to do, of course.
MANDERS. And Mrs. Alving is at home, I trust?
REGINA. Oh dear, yes. She's just upstairs, looking after the young
master's chocolate.
MANDERS. Yes, by-the-bye--I heard down at the pier that Oswald had
arrived.
REGINA. Yes, he came the day before yesterday. We didn't expect him
before to-day.
MANDERS. Quite strong and well, I hope?
REGINA. Yes, thank you, quite; but dreadfully tired with the journey.
He has made one rush right through from Paris--the whole way in one
train, I believe. He's sleeping a little now, I think; so perhaps we'd
better talk a little quietly.
MANDERS. Sh!--as quietly as you please.
REGINA. [Arranging an arm-chair beside the table.] Now, do sit down,
Pastor Manders, and make yourself comfortable. [He sits down; she
places a footstool under his feet.] There! Are you comfortable now, sir?
MANDERS. Thanks, thanks, extremely so. [Looks at her.] Do you
know, Miss Engstrand, I positively believe you have grown since I last
saw you.
REGINA. Do you think so, Sir? Mrs. Alving says I've filled out too.

MANDERS. Filled out? Well, perhaps a little; just enough.
[Short pause.]
REGINA. Shall I tell Mrs. Alving you are here?
MANDERS. Thanks, thanks, there is no hurry, my dear child.--
By-the-bye, Regina, my good girl, tell me: how is your father getting
on out here?
REGINA. Oh, thank you, sir, he's getting on well enough.
MANDERS. He called upon me last time he was in town.
REGINA. Did he, indeed? He's always so glad of a chance of talking to
you, sir.
MANDERS. And you often look in upon him at his work, I daresay?
REGINA. I? Oh, of course, when I have time, I--
MANDERS. Your father is not a man of strong character, Miss
Engstrand. He stands terribly in need of a guiding hand.
REGINA. Oh, yes; I daresay he does.
MANDERS. He requires some one near him whom he cares for, and
whose judgment he respects. He frankly admitted as much when he last
came to see me.
REGINA. Yes, he mentioned something of the sort to me. But I don't
know whether Mrs. Alving can spare me; especially now that we've got
the new Orphanage to attend to. And then I should be so sorry to leave
Mrs. Alving; she has always been so kind to me.
MANDERS. But a daughter's duty, my good girl--Of course, we should
first have to get your mistress's consent.
REGINA. But I don't know whether it would be quite proper for me, at

my age, to keep house for a single man.
MANDERS. What! My dear Miss Engstrand! When the man is your
own father!
REGINA. Yes, that may be; but all the same--Now, if it were in a
thoroughly nice house, and with a real gentleman--
MANDERS. Why, my dear Regina--
REGINA. --one I could love and respect, and be a daughter to--
MANDERS. Yes, but my dear,