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Ghosts, a play by Henrik Ibsen |
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ACT II |
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_ ACT II (The same scene. The landscape is still obscured by Mist. MANDERS Mrs. Alving (calls into the dining-room from the doorway). Aren't Oswald. No, thanks; I think I will go out for a bit. Mrs. Alving. Yes, do; the weather is clearing a little. (She Regina (from without). Yes, ma'am? Mrs. Alving. Go down into the laundry and help with the garlands. Regina. Yes, ma'am. (MRS. ALVING satisfies herself that she has gone, then shuts the Manders. I suppose he can't hear us? Mrs. Alving. Not when the door is shut. Besides, he is going out. Manders. I am still quite bewildered. I don't know how I managed Mrs. Alving (walking up and down, and trying to control her Manders. Yes, what are we to do? Upon my word I don't know; I am Mrs. Alving. I am convinced that nothing serious has happened Manders. Heaven forbid! But it is most unseemly behaviour, for Mrs. Alving. It is nothing more than a foolish jest of Oswald's, Manders. Well, of course, as I said, I am quite inexperienced in Mrs. Alving. Out of the house she shall go--and at once. That Manders. Yes, that is quite clear. Mrs. Alving. But where is she to go? We should not be justified Manders. Where to? Home to her father, of course. Mrs. Alving. To whom, did you say? Manders. To her--. No, of course Engstrand isn't--. But, great Mrs. Alving. There was no chance of mistake, more's the pity. Manders. No, that was the only thing to do. Mrs. Alving. The girl was sent away at once, and was given a Manders. I can't understand it--, I remember clearly Engstrand's Mrs. Alving. Of course he had to take the blame on himself. Manders. But the deceitfulness of it! And with me, too! I Mrs. Alving. It was seventy pounds. Manders. Just think of it--for a paltry seventy pounds to let Mrs. Alving. What about myself, then?--I let myself be bound in Manders. Heaven forgive you! What are you saying? A fallen man? Mrs. Alving. Do you suppose my husband was any purer, when I went Manders. The two cases are as different as day from night. Mrs. Alving. Not so very different, after all. It is true there Manders. How can you compare such totally different things! I Mrs. Alving (looking away from him). I thought you understood Manders (in a constrained voice). If I had understood anything of Mrs. Alving. Well, at any rate this much is certain-- I Manders. Still you consulted those nearest to you, as was only Mrs. Alving. Yes, that is true. The three of them settled the Manders. No one can be responsible for the result of it. Anyway Mrs. Alving (going to the window). Oh, law and order! I often Manders. Mrs. Alving, it is very wicked of you to say that. Mrs. Alving. That may be so; but I don't attach importance to Manders. What do you mean? Mrs. Alving (taping on the window panes). I ought never to have Manders. A coward? Mrs. Alving. If others had known anything of what happened, they Manders. They would have had a certain amount of justification Mrs. Alving (looking fixedly at him). If I had been the woman I Manders. Miserable woman. Mrs. Alving. --and I would have told him all I have told you, Manders. I am almost shocked at you, Mrs. Alving. Mrs. Alving. I know. I know quite well! I am shocked at myself Manders. Can you call it cowardice that you simply did your duty? Mrs. Alving. Don't let us talk in such general terms. Suppose we Manders. You are a mother--isn't there a voice in your heart that Mrs. Alving. And what about the truth? Manders. What about his ideals? Mrs: Alving. Oh--ideals, ideals! If only I were not such a coward Manders. Do not spurn ideals, Mrs. Alving--they have a way of Mrs. Alving. You are right there. Manders. And his conception of his father is what you inspired Mrs: Alving. Yes, I was swayed by duty and consideration for Manders. You have built up a happy illusion in your son's mind, Mrs. Alving. Ah, who knows if that is such a desirable thing Manders. Good heavens, no--that would be a frightful thing! Mrs. Alving. If only I knew whether he meant it seriously, and Manders. In what way? I don't understand. Mrs. Alving. But that is impossible; Regina is not equal to it, Manders, I don't understand: What do you mean? Mrs. Alving. If I were not such a miserable coward, I would say Manders. Heaven forgive you! Are you actually suggesting anything Mrs. Alving. Unheard of, do you call it? Tell me honestly, Mr. Manders. I am sure I don't understand you. Mrs. Alving. Indeed you do. Manders. I suppose you are thinking of cases where possibly--. It Mrs. Alving. But I am not willing to allow it; I would not allow Manders. No, because you are a coward, as you put it. But, Mrs. Alving. Well, for the matter of that, we are all descended Manders. I can't discuss such questions with you, Mrs. Alving; Mrs. Alving. I will tell you what I mean by that. I am frightened Manders. The presence of what? Mrs. Alving. Ghosts. When I heard Regina and Oswald in there, it Manders. Ah!--there we have the outcome of your reading. Fine Mrs. Alving. You are wrong there, my friend. You are the one who Manders. I! Mrs. Alving. Yes, by forcing me to submit to what you called my Manders (softly, and with emotion). Is that all I accomplished by Mrs. Alving. Call it rather the most ignominious defeat of your Manders. It was the greatest victory of my life, Helen; victory Mrs. Alving. It was a wrong done to both of us. Manders. A wrong?--wrong for me to entreat you as a wife to go Mrs. Alving. I think it was. Manders. We two do not understand one another. Mrs. Alving. Not now, at all events. Manders. Never--even in my most secret thoughts--have I for a Mrs. Alving. Do you believe what you say? Manders. Helen--! Mrs. Alving. One so easily forgets one's own feelings. Manders. Mrs. Alving. Yes, yes--don't let us talk any more about the old Manders. I can at all events help you to get the better of those Mrs. Alving. Don't you think it would be best if we could get her Manders. Undoubtedly. I think, in any case, it would have been Mrs. Alving. Regina developed very early. Manders. Yes, didn't she. I fancy I remember thinking she was Mrs. Alving. Who can that be? Come in! (ENGSTRAND, dressed in his Sunday clothes, appears in the Engstrand. I humbly beg pardon, but-- Manders. Aha! Hm! Mrs. Alving. Oh, it's you, Engstrand! Engstrand. There were none of the maids about, so I took the Mrs. Alving. That's all right. Come in. Do you want to speak to Engstrand (coming in). No, thank you very much, ma'am. It was Mr. Manders (walking up and down). Hm!--do you. You want to speak to Engstrand. Yes, sir, I wanted so very much to-- Manders (stopping in front of him). Well, may I ask what it is Engstrand. It's this way, Mr. Manders. We are being paid off now. Manders. Prayers? Up at the Orphanage? Engstrand. Yes, sir, but if it isn't agreeable to you, then-- Manders. Oh, certainly--but--hm!-- Engstrand. I have made a practice of saying a few prayers there Mrs: Alving. Have you? Engstrand. Yes, ma'am, now-- and then--just as a little Manders. Look here, Engstrand! First of all I must ask you a Engstrand. Heaven have mercy on me a sinner! My conscience isn't Manders. But it is just what we must speak about. What do you say Engstrand. My conscience? Well--it's uneasy sometimes, of course. Manders. Ah, you admit that at all events. Now will you tell me, Mrs. Alving (hastily). Mr. Manders! Manders (calming her).--Leave it to me! Engstrand. With Regina? Good Lord, how you frightened me! (Looks Manders. Let us hope not. What I want to know is, what is your Engstrand (unsteadily): Well--hm!--you know, sir, what happened Manders. No more distortion of the truth! Your late wife made a Engstrand. What!--do you mean to say--? Did she do that after Manders. You see it has all come out, Engstrand. Engstrand. Do you mean to say that she, who gave me her promise Manders. Did she take an oath? Engstrand. Well, no--she only gave me her word, but as seriously Manders. And all these years you have been hiding the truth from Engstrand. I am sorry to say I have, sir. Manders. Did I deserve that from you, Engstrand? Haven't I been Engstrand. Indeed there's many a time I should have been very Manders. And this is the way you repay me--by causing me to make Engstrand (with a sigh). Yes, I can see that's what it means. Manders. Yes, because how can you possibly justify what you did? Engstrand. Was the poor girl to go and increase her load of shame Manders. I! Engstrand. Good Lord, sir, I don't mean the same predicament. I Manders. But I am not doing so at all. It is you I am blaming. Engstrand. Will your reverence grant me leave to ask you a small Manders. Ask away. Engstrand. Shouldn't you say it was right for a man to raise up Manders. Of course it is. Engstrand. And isn't a man bound to keep his word of honour? Manders. Certainly he is; but-- Engstrand. At the time when Joanna had her misfortune with this Mrs. Alving (coughs from the window). Ahem! Manders. I know, Engstrand, I know--the rough brutes threw you Engstrand. I don't want to claim credit for it, your reverence. Manders. Did it, indeed, Engstrand? Well, what then? Engstrand. Well, then I said to her: "The American is roaming Manders. I quite understand. Go on. Engstrand. Well, sir, that was how I rescued her and made her my Manders. That was all very kindly done. The only thing I cannot Engstrand. Money? I? Not a farthing. Manders (to MRS. ALVING, in a questioning tare). But-- Engstrand. Ah, yes!--wait a bit; I remember now. Joanna did have Manders. Was that how it was, my good fellow? Engstrand. It was, sir. So then Joanna and I decided that the Manders. This alters the complexion of the affair very Engstrand. That's how it was, your reverence. And I make bold to Manders. There, there, my dear Engstrand. Engstrand. Yes, I do make bold to say that I brought up the Manders. Give me your hand, Jacob Engstrand, Engstrand. Oh, sir, I don't like-- Manders. No nonsense, (Grasps his hand.) That's it! Engstrand. And may I make bold humbly to beg your reverence's Manders. You? On the contrary it is for me to beg your pardon-- Engstrand. Oh no, sir. Manders. Yes, certainly it is, and I do it with my whole heart. Engstrand. Do you mean it, sir? Manders. It would give me the greatest pleasure. Engstrand. As a matter of fact, sir, you could do it now. I am Mrs. Alving. You? Engstrand. Yes, to be a sort of Refuge, as it were, There are Manders. What do you say to that, Mrs. Alving! Engstrand. I haven't much to begin such a work with, I know; but Manders. Quite so; we will talk over the matter further. Your Engstrand. I believe I am, sir, truly. Goodbye, then, Mrs. Manders. Now then, what do you think of him, Mrs Alving! That was Mrs. Alving. It was, indeed. Manders. There, you see how exceedingly careful we ought to be in Mrs. Alving. What I think is that you are, and always will Manders. I? Mrs. Alving (laying her hands on his shoulders). And I think that Manders (drawing beck hastily). No, no, good gracious! What an Mrs. Alving (with a smile). Oh, you needn't be afraid of me. Manders (standing by the table). You choose such an extravagant (He takes his hat and goes out by the hall door. MRS. ALVING Mrs. Alving. Oswald, are you still sitting at table! Oswald (from the dining-room). I am only finishing my cigar. Mrs. Alving. I thought you had gone out for a little turn. Oswald (from within the room). In weather like this? (A glass is Mrs. Alving. Yes, he has gone over to the Orphanage. Oswald. Oh. (The clink of a bottle on a glass is heard again.) Mrs. Alving (with an uneasy expression.) Oswald, dear, you should Oswald. It's a good protective against the damp. Mrs. Alving. Wouldn't you rather come in here? Oswald. You know you don't like smoking in there. Mrs. Alving. You may smoke a cigar in here, certainly. Oswald. All right; I will come in, then. Just one drop more. Mrs. Alving. I told you he had gone over to the Orphanage. Oswald. Oh, so you did. Mrs. Alving. You shouldn't sit so long at table, Oswald, Oswald (holding his cigar behind his back). But it's so nice and Mrs. Alving. My dear, dear boy! Oswald (a little impatiently, as he walks tip and down smoking.) Mrs. Alving. No occupation? Oswald. Not in this ghastly weather, when there isn't a blink of Mrs. Alving. I don't believe you were wise to come home. Oswald. Yes, mother; I had to. Mrs. Alving. Because I would ten times rather give up the Oswald (standing still by the table). Tell me, mother--is it Mrs. Alving. Can you ask? Oswald (crumpling up a newspaper). I should have thought it would Mrs. Alving. Have you the heart to say that to your mother, Oswald. But you have been quite happy living without me so far. Mrs. Alving. Yes, I have lived without you--that is true. (A silence. The dusk falls by degrees. OSWALD walks restlessly up Mrs. Alving. Of course, my dear boy. Oswald (sitting down). Now I must tell you something mother. Mrs. Alving (anxiously). What? Oswald (staring in front of him). I can't bear it any longer. Mrs. Alving. Bear what? What do you mean? Oswald (as before). I couldn't bring myself to write to you about Mrs. Alving (catching him by the arm). Oswald, what is it? Oswald. Both yesterday and today I have tried to push my Mrs. Alving (getting up). You must speak plainly, Oswald! Oswald (drawing her down to her seat again). Sit still, and I Mrs. Alving. Well, what of that? Oswald. But that isn't what is the matter. It is no ordinary Mrs. Alving (trying to get up). You are not ill, Oswald! Oswald (pulling her down again). Sit still, mother. Do take it Mrs. Alving (pale and trembling). Oswald! Look at me! No, no, it Oswald (looking up with a distracted expression). Never to be Mrs. Alving. My poor unhappy boy? How has this terrible thing Oswald (sitting up again). That is just what I cannot possibly Mrs. Alving. I haven't a doubt of it, Oswald. Oswald. And yet this comes upon me all the same; this terrible Mrs. Alving. Oh, but it will all come right again, my dear Oswald (dully). I thought so too, at first; but it isn't so. Mrs. Alving. Tell me all about it. Oswald. Yes, I will. Mrs. Alving. When did you first feel anything? Oswald. It was just after I had been home last time and had got Mrs. Alving. And then? Oswald. At first I thought it was nothing but the headaches I Mrs. Alving. Yes, yes. Oswald. But it wasn't; I soon saw that. I couldn't work any Mrs. Alving. In what way, do you mean? Oswald. He was one of the best doctors there. He made me describe Mrs. Alving. Well? Oswald. At last he said: "You have had the canker of disease in Mrs. Alving (anxiously). What did he mean by that? Oswald. I Mrs. Alving. What did he say? Oswald. He said: "The sins of the fathers are visited on the Mrs. Alving (getting up slowly). The sins of the fathers--! Oswald. I nearly struck him in the face. Mrs. Alving (walking across the room). The sins of the fathers--! Oswald (smiling sadly). Yes, just imagine! Naturally I assured Mrs. Alving. Well, and then? Oswald. Well, then of course he had to admit that he was on the Mrs. Alving. No, no, Oswald! Don't believe that-- Oswald. There was no other explanation of it possible, he said. Oswald (looks up after a while, raising himself on his elbows). Mrs. Alving. No, no, my darling boy; that is impossible! (Bending Oswald. Ah, you don't know--(Springs up.) And to think, mother, Mrs. Alving. I, Oswald? My only son! All that I have in the Oswald (taking hold of her hands and kissing them). Yes, yes, I Mrs. Alving. To drink? What do you want? Oswald. Oh, anything you like. I suppose you have got some punch Mrs. Alving. Yes, but my dear Oswald--! Oswald. Don't tell me I mustn't, mother. Do be nice! I must have Mrs. Alving. Oswald--you are thinking of going away from me! Oswald. Hm!--(sighs deeply). I am not thinking about anything. I Regina (coming from the dining-room). Did you ring, ma'am? Mrs. Alving. Yes, let us have the lamp in. Regina. In a moment, ma'am; it is all ready lit. (Goes out.) Mrs. Alving (going up to Oswald). Oswald, don't keep anything Oswald. I don't, mother. (Goes to the table.) It seems to me I (Regina brings the lamp and puts it upon the table.) Mrs. Alving. Regina, you might bring us a small bottle of Regina. Yes, ma'am. (Goes out.) Oswald (taking hold of his mother's face). That's right; I knew Mrs, Alving. My poor dear boy, how could I refuse you anything Oswald (eagerly). Is that true, mother? Do you mean it? Mrs. Alving. Mean what? Oswald. That you couldn't deny me anything? Mrs. Alving. My dear Oswald-- Oswald. Hush! (REGINA brings in a tray with a small bottle of champagne and two Regina. Shall I open the bottle? Oswald. No, thank you, I will do it. (REGINA goes out.) Mrs, Alving (sitting clown at the table). What did you mean, when Oswald (busy opening the bottle). Let us have a glass first--or (He draws the cork, fills one glass and is going to fill the Mrs. Alving (holding her hand over the second glass) No, thanks-- Oswald. Oh, well, for me then! (He empties his glass, fills it Mrs. Alving (expectantly). Now, tell me. Oswald (without looking at her). Tell me this; I thought you and Mrs. Alving. Did you notice that? Oswald. Yes. Ahem! (After a short pause.) Tell me--what do you Mrs. Alving. What do I think of her? Oswald. Yes, isn't she splendid! Mrs. Alving. Dear Oswald, you don't know her as well as I do-- Oswald. What of that? Mrs. Alving. Regina was too long at home, unfortunately. I ought Oswald. Yes, but isn't she splendid to look at, mother? (Fills Mrs. Alving. Regina has many serious faults-- Oswald. Yes, but what of that? (Drinks.) Mrs. Alving. But I am fond of her, all the same; and I have made Oswald (jumping up). Mother, Regina is my only hope of salvation! Mrs. Alving (getting up). What do you mean? Oswald. I can't go on bearing all this agony of mind alone. Mrs. Alving, Haven't you your mother to help you to bear it? Oswald. Yes, I thought so; that was why I came home to you. But Mrs. Alving. Oswald! Oswald. I must live a different sort of life, mother; so I shall Mrs. Alving. My unhappy boy! But, Oswald, as long as you are ill Oswald. If it was only a matter of feeling ill, I would stay with Mrs. Alving. Yes, I am that, Oswald, am I not? Oswald (walking restlessly about). But all this torment--the Mrs. Alving (following him). Fear? Fear of what? What do you Oswald. Oh, don't ask me any more about it. I don't know what it Mrs. Alving. I want my boy to be happy, that's what I want. He Oswald. Mother! Mrs. Alving. Do you think we country people don't know how to Oswald. Isn't she splendid to look at? What a figure! And the Mrs. Alving (sitting down at the table). Sit down, Oswald, and Oswald (sitting down). You don't know, mother, that I owe Regina Mrs. Alving. You! Oswald. Oh, it was only a little thoughtlessness--call it what Mrs. Alving. Yes? Oswald. --she used often to ask me questions about Paris, and I Mrs. Alving. Well? Oswald. I saw her blush, and she said: "Yes, I should like to Mrs. Alving. And then? Oswald. I naturally had forgotten all about it; but the day Mrs. Alving. Well? Oswald. --and she looked so queerly at me, and asked: "But what Mrs. Alving. Her trip! Oswald. And then I got it out of her that she had taken the thing Mrs. Alving. So that was why-- Oswald. Mother--when I saw this fine, splendid, handsome girl Mrs. Alving. Oswald! Oswald. --then I realised that my salvation lay in her, for I saw Mrs. Alving (starting back). The joy of life--? Is there Regina (coming in from the dining-room with a bottle of Oswald. Bring another glass, too. Regina (looking at him in astonishment). The mistress's glass is Oswald. Yes, but fetch one for yourself, Regina (REGINA starts, Regina (in a low and hesitating voice). Do you wish me to, ma'am? Mrs. Alving. Fetch the glass, Regina. (REGINA goes into the Oswald (looking after her). Have you noticed how well she walks?- Mrs. Alving. It cannot be, Oswald. Oswald. It is settled. You must see that. It is no use forbidding Mrs. Alving. Sit down. (REGINA sits down on a chair near the Oswald. Ah, mother--the joy of life! You don't know very much Mrs. Alving. Not even when you are with me? Oswald. Never at home. But you can't understand that. Mrs. Alving. Yes, indeed I almost think I do understand you now. Oswald. That--and the joy of work. They are really the same thing Mrs. Alving. Perhaps you are right. Tell me some more about it, Oswald. Well, all I mean is that here people are brought up to Mrs. Alving. A vale of tears, yes. And we quite conscientiously Oswald. But the people over there will have none of that. There Mrs. Alving. Afraid? What are you afraid of here, with me? Oswald. I am afraid that all these feelings that are so strong in Mrs. Alving (looking steadily at him). Do you think that is what Oswald. I am certain it would. Even if one lived the same life at Mrs. Alving (who has listened anxiously to him, gets up with a Oswald. What do you see? Mrs. Alving. I see it now for the first time. And now I can Oswald (getting up). Mother, I don't understand you. Regina (who has got up also). Perhaps I had better go. Mrs. Alving. No, stay here. Now I can speak. Now, my son, you Oswald. Hush!--here is the parson. (MANDERS comes in by the hall door.) Manders. Well, my friends, we have been spending an edifying time Oswald. So have we. Manders. Engstrand must have help with his Sailors Home. Regina Regina. No, thank you, Mr. Manders. Manders (perceiving her for the first time). What--?You in here?-- Regina (putting down the glass hastily). I beg your pardon--! Oswald. Regina is going away with me, Mr. Manders. Manders. Going away! With you! Oswald. Yes, as my wife--if she insists on that. Manders. But, good heavens--! Regina. It is not my fault, Mr. Manders. Oswald. Or else she stays here if I stay. Regina (involuntarily). Here! Manders. I am amazed at you, Mrs. Alving. Mrs. Alving. Neither of those things will happen, for now I can Manders. But you won't do that! No, no, no! Mrs. Alving. Yes, I can and I will. And without destroying anyone's ideals. Oswald. Mother, what is it that is being concealed from me? Regina (listening). Mrs. Alving! Listen! They are shouting (Goes into the conservatory and looks out.) Oswald (going to the window on the left). What can be the matter? Regina (calls out). The Orphanage is on fire! Mrs. Alving (going to the window). On fire? Manders. On fire? Impossible. I was there just a moment ago. Oswald. Where is my hat? Oh, never mind that. Father's Orphanage--! (Runs out through the garden door.) Mrs. Alving. My shawl, Regina! The whole place is in flames. Manders. How terrible! Mrs. Alving, that fire is a judgment on Mrs. Alving. Quite so. Come, Regina. (She and REGINA hurry out.) Manders (clasping his hands). And no insurance! (Follows them |