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Ghosts, a play by Henrik Ibsen |
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ACT III |
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_ ACT III (The same scene. All the doors are standing open. The lamp is Mrs. Alving. Everything bured--down to the ground. Regina. It is burning still in the basement. Mrs. Alving. I can't think why Oswald doesn't come hack. There is Regina. Shall I go and take his hat to him? Mrs. Alving. Hasn't he even got his hat? Regina (pointing to the hall). No, there it is, hanging up. Mrs. Alving. Never mind. He is sure to come back soon. I will go Manders. Isn't Mrs. Alving here? Regina. She has just this moment gone down into the garden. Manders. I have never spent such a terrible night in my life. Regina. Isn't it a shocking misfortune, sir! Manders. Oh, don't speak about it. I scarcely dare to think about Regina. But how can it have happened? Manders. Don't ask me, Miss Engstrand! How should I know? Are you Regina. What has he done? Manders. He has nearly driven me crazy. Engstrand (coming in from the hall). Mr. Manders--! Manders (turning round with a start). Have you ever followed me Engstrand. Yes, God help us all--! Great heavens! What a dreadful Manders (walking u¢ and down). Oh dear, oh dear! Regina. What do you mean? Engstrand. Our little prayer-meeting was the cause of it all, Manders. I assure you, Engstrand-- Engstrand. But there was no one else carrying a light there Manders (standing still). Yes, so you say. But I have no clear Engstrand. But I saw quite distinctly your reverence take a Manders. Did you see that? Engstrand. Yes, distinctly. Manders. I can't understand it at all. It is never my habit to Engstrand. Yes, it wasn't like you to do that, sir. But, who Manders (walking restlessly backwards and forwards) Oh, don't ask Engstrand (following him about). And you hadn't insured it Manders. No, no, no; you heard me say so. Engstrand. You hadn't insured it--and then went and set light to Manders (wiping the perspiration from his forehead). You may well Engstrand. And that it should happen to a charitable institution Manders. No, that is just what I am thinking of. It is almost the Mrs. Alving (coming in from the garden). I can't get him away Manders. Oh, there you are, Mrs. Alving. Mrs. Alving. You will escape having to make your inaugural Manders. Oh, I would so gladly have-- Mrs. Alving (in a dull voice). It is just as well it has Manders. Don't you think so? Mrs. Alving. Do you? Manders. But it is none the less an extraordinary piece of ill Mrs: Alving. We will discuss it simply as a business matter. Are Engstrand (at the hall door). Yes, I am. Mrs. Alving. Sit down then, while you are waiting. Engstrand. Thank you, I would rather stand. Mrs. Alving (to MANDERS). I suppose you are going by the boat? Manders. Yes: It goes in about an hour-- Mrs. Alving. Please take all the documents back with you. I don't Manders. Mrs. Alving-- Mrs. Alving. Later on I will send you a power of attorney to deal Manders. I shall be most happy to undertake that; I am afraid the Mrs. Alving. Of course. Manders. Provisionally, I should suggest this way of disposing Mrs. Alving. Do exactly as you please. The whole thing is a Engstrand. You will think of my Sailors' Home, Mr, Manders? Manders. Yes, certainly, that is a suggestion. But we must Engstrand (aside). Consider!--devil take it! Oh Lord. Manders (sighing). And unfortunately I can't tell how much longer Mrs. Alving. What do you say? Manders. And one cannot in any way reckon upon the result Engstrand (going nearer to him). Yes, indeed one can; because Manders. Quite so, but-- Engstrand (lowering his voice). And Jacob Engstrand isn't the man Manders. Yes, but, my dear fellow-how--? Engstrand. You might say Jacob Engstrand is an angel of Manders. No, no, I couldn't possibly accept that. Engstrand. That's how it will be, all the same. I know someone Manders. Jacob! (Grasps his hand.) You are one in a thousand! You (Engstrand tries to thank him, but is prevented by emotion.) Manders (hanging his wallet over his shoulder). Now we must be Engstrand (by the dining-room door, says aside to REGINA). Come Regina (tossing her head). Merci! (She goes out into the hall and brings back MANDERS' luggage.) Manders. Good-bye, Mrs. Alving! And may the spirit of order and Mrs. Alving. Goodbye, Mr. Manders. (She goes into the conservatory, as she sees Oswald coming in by Engstrand (as he and REGINA are helping MANDERS on with his Manders (at the door). Ahem--ahem! Come along, my dear Engstrand. (He and ENGSTRAND go out by the hall door.) Oswald (going to the table). What house was he speaking about? Mrs. Alving. I believe it is some sort of a Home that he and Mr. Oswald. It will be burned up just like this one. Mrs. Alving. What makes you think that? Oswald. Everything will be burned up; nothing will be left that is (REGINA looks at him in alarm.) Mrs. Alving. Oswald! You should not have stayed so long over Oswald (sitting down at the table). I almost believe you are Mrs. Alving. Let me dry your face, Oswald; you are all wet. Oswald (looking straight before him, with no expression in his Mrs. Alving. And aren't you tired, Oswald? Don't you want to go Oswald (uneasily). No, no--not to sleep! I never sleep; I only Mrs. Alving (looking at him anxiously). Anyhow you are really Regina (intently). Is Mr. Alving ill? Oswald (impatiently). And do shut all the doors! This deadly Mrs. Alving. Shut the doors, Regina. (REGINA shuts the doors and Oswald. Yes, do. And Regina must stay in here too; Regina must Regina. I don't understand-- Mrs. Alving. A helping hand? Oswald. Yes--when there is need for it. Mrs: Alving. Oswald, have you not your mother to give you a Oswald. You? (Smiles.) No, mother, you will never give me the Regina (in a low voice). I did not think Mrs. Alving would like Mrs. Alving. It will not be long before you have the right to do Oswald. You, mother? Mrs. Alving. --all that you call remorse and regret and self- Oswald. And you think you can do that? Mrs. Alving. Yes, now I can, Oswald. A little while ago you were Oswald (shaking his head). I don't in the least understand what Mrs. Alving. You should have known your father in his young days Oswald. Yes, I know. Mrs. Alving. It gave me a holiday feeling only to look at him, Oswald. What then? Mrs. Alving, Well, then this boy, full of the joy of life--for he Oswald. Mother--! Mrs. Alving. And so the inevitable happened! Oswald. What was the inevitable? Mrs. Alving. You said yourself this evening what would happen in Oswald. Do you mean by that, that father--? Mrs. Alving. Your poor father never found any outlet for the Oswald. You didn't, either? Mrs. Alving. I had been taught about duty, and the sort of thing Oswald. Why didn't you ever say anything about it to me in your Mrs. Alving. I never looked at it as a thing I could speak of to Oswald. What way did you look at it, then? Mrs. Alving. I only saw the one fact, that your father was a lost Oswald (in a choking voice). Ah--! (He gets up and goes to the Mrs. Alving. And then I had the one thought in my mind, day and Oswald (turns round suddenly), Regina--?
Mrs. Alving. Yes, now you both know it. Oswald. Regina! Regina (to herself). So mother was one of that sort too. Mrs. Alving. Your mother had many good qualities, Regina. Regina. Yes, but she was one of that sort too, all the same. I Mrs. Alving. Do you really wish to, Regina? Regina. Yes, indeed, I certainly wish to. Mrs. Alving. Of course you shall do as you like, but-- Oswald (going up to REGINA). Leave now? This is your home. Regina. Merci, Mr. Alving--oh, of course I may say Oswald now, Mrs. Alving. Regina, I have not been open with you-- Regina. No, I can't say you have! If I had known Oswald was ill-- Oswald. Not even for the sake of one who has so near a claim on Regina. No, indeed I can't. A poor girl must make some use of her Mrs. Alving. Yes, unfortunately; but don't throw yourself away, Regina. Oh, what's going to happen will happen. If Oswald takes Mrs. Alving. Mr. Manders knows everything. Regina (putting on her shawl). Oh, well then, the best thing I Mrs. Alving. You are quite welcome to it, Regina. Regina (looking at her fixedly). You might as well have brought Mrs. Alving. If ever you need a home, Regina, come to me. Regina. No, thank you, Mrs. Alving. Mr. Manders takes an interest Mrs. Alving. Where is that? Regina. In the "Alving Home." Mrs. Alving. Regina--I can see quite well--you are going to your Regina. Pooh!--goodbye. (She bows to them and goes out through the hall.) Oswald (standing by the window and looking out). Has she gone? Mrs. Alving. Yes. Oswald (muttering to himself). I think it's all wrong. Mrs. Alving (going up to him from behind and putting her hands Oswald (turning his face towards her). All this about father, do Mrs. Alving. Yes, about your unhappy father. I am so afraid it Oswald. What makes you think that? Naturally it has taken me Mrs. Alving (drawing back her hands). Doesn't matter!--that your Oswald. Of course I can feel sympathy for him, just as I would Mrs. Alving. No more than that! For your own father! Oswald (impatiently). Father--father! I never knew anything of my Mrs. Alving. It is dreadful to think of!--But surely a child Oswald. When the child has nothing to thank his father for? When Mrs. Alving. You call it nothing but a superstition! Oswald. Yes, and you can see that for yourself quite well, Mrs. Alving. Ghosts of beliefs! Oswald (walking across the room). Yes, you might call them Mrs. Alving (with an outburst of feeling). Oswald! then you don't Oswald. You I know, at any rate-- Mrs. Alving. You know me, yes; but is that all? Oswald. And I know how fond you are of me, and I ought to be Mrs. Alving. Yes, can't I, Oswald! I could almost bless your Oswald (impatiently). Yes, yes, yes; all that is just a way of Mrs. Alving (gently). I will be very good and patient. Oswald. And cheerful too, mother! Mrs. Alving. Yes, my dear boy, you are quite right. (Goes up to Oswald. Yes, you have done that. But who will take away the fear? Mrs. Alving. The fear? Oswald (crossing the room). Regina would have done it for one Mrs. Alving. I don't understand you. What fear do you mean--and Oswald. Is it very late, mother? Mrs. Alving. It is early morning. (Looks out through the Oswald. I am glad of that. After all, there may be many things Mrs. Alving. I should hope so! Oswald. Even if I am not able to work-- Mrs. Alving. You will soon find you are able to work again now, Oswald. No, it is a good thing that you have been able to rid me Mrs. Alving. Yes, let us. (Pushes an armchair near to the couch Oswald. The sun is rising--and you know all about it; so I don't Mrs. Alving. I know all about what? Oswald (without listening to her). Mother, isn't it the case that Mrs. Alving. Yes, certainly I said so. Oswald. And will you be as good as your word, mother? Mrs. Alving. You may rely upon that, my own dear boy. I have Oswald. Yes, yes; well, listen to me, mother, You are very Mrs. Alving. But what is this dreadful thing--? Oswald. You mustn't scream. Do you hear? Will you promise me Mrs. Alving. Yes, yes, I promise--only tell me what it is. Oswald. Well, then, you must know that this fatigue of mine--and Mrs. Alving. What is the illness itself? Oswald. What I am suffering from is hereditary; it--(touches his Mrs. Alving (almost speechless). Oswald! No--no! Oswald. Don't scream; I can't stand it. Yes, I tell you, it lies Mrs. Alving. How horrible--! Oswald. Do keep quiet. That is the state I am in-- Mrs. Alving (springing up). It isn't true, Oswald! It is Oswald. I had one attack while I was abroad. It passed off Mrs. Alving. That was the fear, then-- Oswald. Yes, it is so indescribably horrible, you know If only it Mrs. Alving. Yes, yes, Oswald, you must! Oswald. But this is so appallingly horrible. To become like a Mrs. Alving. My child has his mother to tend him. Oswald (jumping up). No, never; that is just what I won't endure! Mrs. Alving (with a scream). Oswald! Oswald (jumps up and walks about the room). And now you have Mrs. Alving (going up to him). What do you mean, my darling boy? Oswald. When I had recovered from the attack I had abroad, the Mrs. Alving. And he was heartless enough to-- Oswald. I insisted on knowing. I told him I had arrangements to Mrs. Alving. What is it? Oswald. Morphia powders. Mrs. Alving (looking at him in terror). Oswald--my boy! Oswald. I have twelve of them saved up-- Mrs. Alving (snatching at it). Give me the box, Oswald! Oswald. Not yet, mother. (Puts it lack in his pocket.) Mrs. Alving. I shall never get over this! Oswald, You must. If I had had Regina here now, I would have told Mrs. Alving. Never! Oswald. If this horrible thing had come upon me and she had seen Mrs. Alving. Never in the world would Regina have done it. Oswald. Regina would have done it. Regina was so splendidly Mrs. Alving. Then thank heaven Regina is not here! Oswald. Well, now you have got to give me that helping hand, Mrs. Alving (with a loud scream). I! Oswald. Who has a better right than you? Mrs. Alving. I! Your mother! Oswald. Just for that reason. Mrs. Alving. I, who gave you your life! Oswald, I never asked you for life. And what kind of a life was Mrs. Alving. Help! Help! (Runs into the hall.) Oswald (following her). Don't leave me! Where are you going? Mrs. Alving (in the hall). To fetch the doctor to you, Oswald! Oswald (going into the hall). You shan't go out. And no one shall Mrs. Alving (coming in again). Oswald! Oswald!--my child! Oswald (following her). Have you a mother's heart--and can bear Mrs. Alving (controlling herself, after a moment's silence). Oswald. Will you--? Mrs. Alving. If it becomes necessary. But it shan't become Oswald. Let us hope so. And let us live together as long as we (He sits down in the armchair, which MRS. ALVING had moved beside Mrs. Alving (coming cautiously nearer). Do you feel calmer now? Oswald. Yes. Mrs. Alving (bending over him). It has only been a dreadful fancy Oswald (who has been sitting motionless in the armchair, with his Mrs. Alving (standing at the table, and looking at him in Oswald (repeats in a dull, toneless voice). The sun--the sun. Mrs. Alving (going up to him). Oswald, what is the matter with Oswald (in an expressionless voice, as before). The sun--the sun. Mrs. Alving (jumps up despairingly, beats her head with her Oswald (sitting motionless, as before). The sun--the sun.
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