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I took the
upper hand in the house, absolutely--both with him and all the
others. I had a weapon to use against him, you see; he didn't
dare to speak. It was then that Oswald was sent away. He was
about seven then, and was beginning to notice things and ask
questions as children will. I could endure all that, my friend.
It seemed to me that the child would be poisoned if he breathed
the air of this polluted house. That was why I sent him away. And
now you understand, too, why he never set foot here as long as
his father was alive. No one knows what it meant to me.

Manders. You have indeed had a pitiable experience.

Mrs. Alving. I could never have gone through with it, if I had
not had my work. Indeed, I can boast that I have worked. All the
increase in the value of the property, all the improvements, all
the useful arrangements that my husband got the honour and glory
of--do you suppose that he troubled himself about any of them?
He, who used to lie the whole day on the sofa reading old
official lists! No, you may as well know that too. It was I that
kept him up to the mark when he had his lucid intervals; it was I
that had to bear the whole burden of it when he began his
excesses again or took to whining about his miserable condition.

Manders. And this is the man you are building a memorial to!

Mrs. Alving. There you see the power of an uneasy conscience.

Manders. An uneasy conscience? What do you mean?

Mrs. Alving. I had always before me the fear that it was
impossible that the truth should not come out and be believed.
That is why the Orphanage is to exist, to silence all rumours and
clear away all doubt.

Manders. You certainly have not fallen short of the mark in that,
Mrs. Alving.

Mrs. Alving. I had another very good reason. I did not wish
Oswald, my own son, to inherit a penny that belonged to his
father.

Manders. Then it is with Mr. Alving's property.

Mrs. Alving. Yes. The sums of money that, year after year, I have
given towards this Orphanage, make up the amount of property--I
have reckoned it carefully--which in the old days made Lieutenant
Alving a catch.

Manders. I understand.

Mrs. Alving. That was my purchase money. I don't wish it to pass
into Oswald's hands. My son shall have everything from me, I am
determined.

(OSWALD comes in by the farther door on the right. He has left
his hat and coat outside.)

Mrs. Alving. Back again, my own dear boy?

Oswald. Yes, what can one do outside in this everlasting rain? I
hear dinner is nearly ready. That's good!

(REGINA comes in front the dining-room, carrying a parcel.)

Regina. This parcel has come for you, ma'am. (Gives it to her.)

Mrs. Alving (glancing at MANDERS). The ode to be sung tomorrow, I
expect.

Manders. Hm--!

Regina. And dinner is ready.

Mrs. Alving. Good. We will come in a moment. I will just--(begins
to open the parcel).

Regina (to OSWALD). Will you drink white or red wine, sir?

Oswald. Both, Miss Engstrand.

Regina. Bien--very good, Mr. Alving. (Goes into the dining-room.

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