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You will never get me home with you.

Engstrand. Ah, we shall see about that.

Regina. Yes, you can be quite certain we shall see about that. I,
who have been brought up by a lady like Mrs. Alving?--I, who have
been treated almost as if I were her own child?--do you suppose I
am going home with you?--to such a house as yours? Not likely!

Engstrand. What the devil do you mean? Are you setting yourself
up against your father, you hussy?

Regina (mutters, without looking at him). You have often told me
I was none of yours.

Engstrand. Bah!--why do you want to pay any attention to that?

Regina. Haven't you many and many a time abused me and called me
a --? For shame?

Engstrand. I'll swear I never used such an ugly word.

Regina. Oh, it doesn't matter what word you used.

Engstrand. Besides, that was only when I was a bit fuddled...hm!
Temptations are manifold in this world, Regina.

Regina. Ugh!

Engstrand. And it was when your mother was in a nasty temper. I
had to find some way of getting my knife into her, my girl. She
was always so precious gentile. (Mimicking her.) "Let go, Jacob!
Let me be! Please to remember that I was three years with the
Alvings at Rosenvold, and they were people who went to Court!
(Laughs.) Bless my soul, she never could forget that Captain
Alving got a Court appointment while she was in service here.

Regina. Poor mother--you worried her into her grave pretty soon.

Engstrand (shrugging his shoulders). Of course, of course; I have
got to take the blame for everything.

Regina (beneath her breath, as she turns away). Ugh--that leg,
too!

Engstrand. What are you saying, my girl?

Regina. Pied de mouton.

Engstrand. Is that English?

Regina. Yes.

Engstrand. You have had a good education out here, and no
mistake; and it may stand you in good stead now, Regina.

Regina (after a short silence). And what was it you wanted me to
come to town for?

Engstrand. Need you ask why a father wants his only child? Ain't
I a poor lonely widower?

Regina. Oh, don't come to me with that tale. Why do you want me to
go?

Engstrand. Well, I must tell you I am thinking of taking up a new
line now.

Regina (whistles). You have tried that so often--but it has
always proved a fool's errand.

Engstrand. Ah, but this time you will just see, Regina! Strike me
dead if--

Regina (stamping her foot). Stop swearing!

Engstrand. Sh! Sh!--you're quite right, my girl, quite right!
What I wanted to say was only this, that I have put by a tidy
penny out of what I have made by working at this new Orphanage up
here.

Regina. Have you? All the better for you.

Engstrand. What is there for a man to spend his money on, out
here in the country?

Regina. Well, what then?

Engstrand. Well, you see, I thought of putting the money into
something that would pay. I thought of some kind of an eating-
house for seafaring folk--

Regina. Heavens!

Engstrand. Oh, a high-class eating-house, of course--not a
pigsty for common sailors. Damn it, no; it would be a place

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