GHOSTS

by Henrik Ibsen

in a new version by

Pam Gems

Copyright © Pam Gems
Pam Gems is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The author has asserted her moral rights. 

All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved and application for performance etc. should be made before rehearsal to Rose Cobbe, United Agents, 12-26 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LE, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0800.
http://unitedagents.co.uk/agents/rose-cobbe/. Assistant: Dan Usztan. Email: dusztan@unitedagents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0873. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.

HENRIK IBSEN

	Ibsen was born on 20 March 1828 in Skien in south-east Norway, the second son of Knud Ibsen, a merchant, and his wife Marichen.

	After his father became ruined when Ibsen was about 7, the family moved to Venstope and lived in great poverty.  Aged 15, Ibsen became an assistant to an apothecary.  Later he fathered an illegitimate child and went on to join the newly formed National Theatre of Sweden at Bergen after writing his first play, Catiline, aged 21.

	Of his early work many of his plays were written in verse, and were failures when they opened.  Later in his life he wrote his twelve great modern prose dramas, including:

		The Pillars of Society		1875-77
		A Doll's House			1879
		Ghosts				1881
		An Enemy of the People		1882
		The Wild Duck			1884
		Romersholm				1886
		The Lady from the Sea		1888
		Hedda Gabler			1890
		The Master Builder			1892
		Little Eyolf				1894
		John Gabriel Borkman		1896
		When We Dead Awaken		1899

GHOSTS

by Henrik Ibsen

in a new version by Pam Gems

Literal translation from the Norwegian
by Charlotte Barslund

	This version of Ghosts was produced by the Sherman Theatre Company in Cardiff, Wales in 1993 with the following cast:

		Regine			Lisa Palfrey
		Engstrand			Dorien Thomas
		Pastor Manders		John Quentin
		Mrs Alving			Sian Phillips
		Osvald			Brendan O'Hea

		Director			Sean Mathias

GHOSTS

	Ibsen wrote GHOSTS in 1881, two years after A DOLL'S HOUSE.  He said: "Ghosts had to be written.  I could not let "A Doll's House" be my last word; after Nora, Mrs Alving had to come."  He was well aware that writing a play about sexual disease would create a storm.  It did.  "One of the filthiest things ever written; a repulsive pathological phenomenon which, by undermining the morality of our social order, threatens its foundation." (Royal Theatre, Copenhagen.)  "An open drain: a loathsome sore unbandaged; a dirty act, loathsome and fetid." (Press reaction to London production in 1891.)

	And so the play has remained, ever since, as the shocking drama that took the lid off sexual disease.  Nonetheless, Ibsen's stature grew.  He became known as the First Modern Writer.  He was Serious - when you consider the themes - the emancipation of women, dirty politics, the corrosions of greed, personal ambition - these are themes for a giant.  Ibsen can easily seem to be a chilly God, up there on Parnassus where the oxygen is thin and the air bites the nose.  Respect, yes.  But respect in theatre is deadly.

	How does one approach a classic?  You look for the truth, mine out what has pierced the imagination.  And the first, general, blazing truth about Ibsen is that, unlike the cool, detached Dr Chekhov with his sly scalpel, Ibsen is not cool at all.  He is white-hot.  There is nothing of the aloof Thomas Mann about him and nothing of the academician, thank God.  Ibsen rages with feeling.  Like Hemingway's Old Man of the Sea, he fishes with a long line - and hauls up strange denizens of the deep.  A dramatist who writes about sexual disease in Norway in 1881 is a very courageous man.  His reward is to be acclaimed, eventually, for brave social commitment and given international approval.

	The irony is, that this isn't the play at all.  We are led to believe that Ghosts is about a woman desecrated and infected by a libidinous husband, and passing on fatal infection to her beloved child.  True.  But that is only part of it.  Mrs Alving's voyage of discovery is even more shocking.  The play, we discover, is about passion, about lust for life - sexual life - and the deadly consequences of its denial.  Yet how can it be possible, given the tragic consequences of inherited syphilis in the tertiary stage, not to condemn licence?  Ibsen's portrayal of Hélène Alving, one of the great female roles in the theatrical canon, is breath-taking in its daring.  It is she, rather than Nora in A Doll's House, who is the proto-feminist.  It is Mrs Alving who becomes aware that she is not a victim (the fatal aberration of much neo-feminism) but a protagonist.  An adult human being is not a helpless pawn of sex or social circumstances but a creature capable of and impelled to make choices.  She understands, too late, the fatal inadequacy of remaining in the unquestioning obedience of the child-state.  At the end of the play, in pain for Osvald's terrible destiny, we see that his father is to blame and not to blame.  Mrs Alving realizes that her youthful imprinting has been, at best, inadequate, making her a dutiful and dreary non-wife, denying herself as well as her husband full and joyous union and driving him to solace and relief elsewhere.

	For a play that is Tragic in essence, there is a lot of humour (not always seen in production.)  The minor characters are portrayed with wonderful mischief.  Regine, Osvald's illegitimate half-sister, is a bitch - a Becky Sharp.  She is, as Osvald notes wistfully, a survivor.  Uninfected, she survives by sagacity and a hard heart.  Of all the people in the play, she is the realist.  Jakob Engstrand, her putative father, is an outrageous rogue - liar, drunkard and manipulative sponger.  His arias of benevolent righteousness as he effortlessly gulls Paster Manders are glorious to watch.  The Pastor himself is a lethal tilt at the self-delusory power of the cloth.  Manders is not a bad man.  Nonetheless, he creates moral mayhem wherever he treads.  He is a walking miasma of received beliefs, with deadly feelers of interference in the lives of others.  Mrs Alving, who loves him, does not judge him for being a gullible fool.  She does judge him for destroying both their lives by his earlier unwillingness to face truth - in particular, sexual truth.  Denying truth means you die or go bad inside.

	Ibsen's characters are like us.  They are unpredictable.  They don't obey their own rules, they surprise themselves, and us.  They get in a mess, like us.  They survive at a price, like us.  They are jealous, heroic, frightened, amusing, despicable, shrewd and wilful.  Like us.  And like us his protagonists were faced with sexual dilemmas.  Those dilemmas have changed radically in these post-existential times of chemical mutation and the side-lining of fecundity, giving too many choices in place of too few.  But Ibsen's theme is as potent as ever.  Grow up, the play says, or go to the devil.  His piercing humanity is not Tolstoy's.  It does not spill over in our laps.  But it is there.  Heart-breaking, and enough to melt mountains.

Pam Gems

GHOSTS

THE CAST

MRS HELENE ALVING, Captain and Court Chamberlain Alving's widow.

OSVALD ALVING, her son, a painter.

PASTOR MENDERS

ENGSTRAND, a carpenter

REGINE ENGSTRAND, in Mrs Alving's service.

The action takes place on Mrs Alving's country estate by a large fjord in Western Norway.

GHOSTS

ACT ONE

A large room, informal, with a round table, chairs, magazines and books on the table.  A conservatory beyond, leading to the garden.  The fjord can be glimpsed through the rain.

ENGSTRAND is at the door into the conservatory.  He is crippled and wears a surgical boot.  REGINE is trying to stop him from coming in.

			REGINE
		No you can't.  Stay there, you're dripping wet!

			ENGSTRAND
		It's only rain, God's rain -

			REGINE
		The devil's rain, you mean.

			ENGSTRAND
		Your tongue, Regine.  (He dodges round her.)

			REGINE
		No!

			ENGSTRAND
		(Evades her and comes in.)  I want to talk to you.

			REGINE
		Sssh!  And stop banging about with that foot, the young master's trying to sleep.

			ENGSTRAND
		Sleep?  At this time of day?

			REGINE
		What if he is?  It's none of your business.

			ENGSTRAND
		Listen, I was out having a drink last night -

			REGINE
		Ooh, what a surprise.

			ENGSTRAND
		- we're all human, some of us - just the same I was up and working by five o'clock this morning.

			REGINE
		All right, so now clear off.  (Pushes him.)  I'm not having you in here - out.

			ENGSTRAND
		Don't you worry, I'll be gone soon enough.  We'll be finished down the orphanage mid-day, then it's on the boat and back to town for me...

			REGINE
		(Mutters)  Good riddance.

			ENGSTRAND
		...what with all the drinking for the opening I'm better off out of it.  They're not going to say Jakob Engstrand can't say no.

			REGINE
		Hah!

			ENGSTRAND
		Damned if I need him after me, the Reverend, not just now.

			REGINE
		Why, what are you up to?

			ENGSTRAND
		Up to?

			REGINE
		With the Pastor.

			ENGSTRAND
		Me?  With Pastor Manders?  Nothing!  He's been a very good friend to me.  That's what I want to talk to you about - no, now - (as she shoves him.)  I shall be off today.

			REGINE
		The sooner the better.

			ENGSTRAND
		What's more, you'll be coming with me.

			REGINE
		(Her mouth open)  What?!

			ENGSTRAND
		I need you back home.

			REGINE
		With you?  Not likely.

			ENGSTRAND
		We'll see about that.

			REGINE
		Oh, we will.  I live here, with Mrs Alving.  I'm treated like one of the family!  You want me back with you, to a place like that?

			ENGSTRAND
		Listen to me, I'm your father, you bitch -
			REGINE
		(Mutters)  No you're not, you didn't want to know me -

			ENGSTRAND
		Never mind that.

			REGINE
		All I got from you was names...dirty names -

			ENGSTRAND
		I've never used bad language to you -

			REGINE
		I haven't forgotten what you called me.

			ENGSTRAND
		Only when I was drunk...

			REGINE
		Ugh.

			ENGSTRAND
		...and when your mother got nasty...(Mimics, in mock refinement)  `Don't touch me, Engstrand... I'm in service to Chamberlain Alving at Rosenvold!'  The Captain made a Chamberlain ...oh, oh!  (Laughs)  If they only knew.

			REGINE
		You bullied the life out of her.

			ENGSTRAND
		Oh yes.  All my fault.

			REGINE
		(Mutters, turning away)  And that foot!...

			ENGSTRAND
		What?

			REGINE
		Pied de mouton.  (Badly pronounced.)

			ENGSTRAND
		What was that...French?

			REGINE
		(Sarcastic)  Hungarian.

			ENGSTRAND
		Good, it'll come in handy.

			REGINE
		(Slight pause)  So, what do you want me for?

			ENGSTRAND
		You don't need to ask, do you?  I'm a poor old widower, I'm lonely.

			REGINE
		Rubbish, what do you want?

			ENGSTRAND
		All right.  I'll tell you.  I've had an idea.

			REGINE
		Not another one?

			ENGSTRAND
		Ah, but this time...you wait.  Regine, it's a damned good -

			REGINE
		(Stamps)  Stop it, I wont' have swearing under this roof -

			ENGSTRAND
		Sssh!  No, you're right, you're right.  I just wanted to say, I've done well out of this orphanage work -

			REGINE
		Have you!

			ENGSTRAND
		Well, there's nothing to spend it on out here, is there?

			REGINE
		So?

			ENGSTRAND
		A hotel for seamen!  (REGINE snorts)  A proper, well-run place, not just a pig-hole for sailors - for mates, ships' captains...first-class people -

			REGINE
		What do you want me for?

			ENGSTRAND
		To help.  Be there.  You wouldn't have to work hard...it could be as you want.

			REGINE
		(Sarcastic)  Oh yes, I daresay.

			ENGSTRAND
		You must have women, a bit of life in the evenings...singing, dancing, that sort of thing.  These are seamen, they've been out there.  (Comes closer)  Now don't be silly, Regine.  What's the point of hanging on here?  All these books, what good's that going to do you?  You don't want to run an orphanage - surround yourself with snivelling brats?

			REGINE
		There are other things.

			ENGSTRAND
		What?

			REGINE
		Never mind.  None of your business.  How much have you made on this job?

			ENGSTRAND
		Eight hundred krone.

			REGINE
		Not bad.

			ENGSTRAND
		Enough to get me going, girl.

			REGINE
		What about some for me?

			ENGSTRAND
		Ho no!

			REGINE
		At least send me a length of cloth for a new dress.

			ENGSTRAND
		Come back to town with me, you can have as many dresses as you want.

			REGINE
		I can manage that on my own.

			ENGSTRAND
		You'd do better with me behind you.  I've seen a nice house...Little Harbour Street - just right for a seamen's hotel.

			REGINE
		I've told you - no!  I'm not coming with you.  I don't want to stay with you, ever, so you can clear off.

			ENGSTRAND
		It would only be for a while.  You've turned out a good-looking girl - in no time at all you'll meet some ship's officer - a captain even -

			REGINE
		I'm not marrying a sailor.

			ENGSTRAND
		Why not?

			REGINE
		They haven't got no savoir-faire.

			ENGSTRAND
		What?

			REGINE
		Anyway, I know all about sailors, they're not the marrying kind.

			ENGSTRAND
		All right, forget about being married...the other way can work even better.  (Confidentially)  That Englishman, remember?  The one with the yacht?  He paid three hundred krone...three hundred!...and she was no better looking than you or your mother -

			REGINE
		(Advances)  Get out of here...get out!

			ENGSTRAND
		(Steps back)  Don't you hit me -

			REGINE
		Mention my mother again, I will!  Go on, out of it!  (She pushes him to the door)  And don't slam the door, Mr Alving's

			ENGSTRAND
		I know, he's asleep.  You worry about him all right...(softer)...eh, it's not him you're -

			REGINE
		Out!...no, not that way!...(she gives him a push), down the kitchen stairs...I don't want the Pastor to see you.

			ENGSTRAND
		All right, I'm going.  But you talk to him... honour they father, he'll tell you, and that's me ...you want proof it's in the parish register!

He goes.  REGINE tidies herself quickly, goes to bowl of flowers, arranging them.  PASTER MANDERS, in an overcoat, with umbrella and a bag on his shoulder, comes through garden door.

			MANDERS
		Miss Engstrand?  Good morning.

			REGINE
		Ohh!  It's the Pastor!  Is the boat in already?

			MANDERS
		Good morning, Regine.  (Comes into the room.)  Dreadful weather.

			REGINE
		But a blessing for the farmers, Pastor.

			MANDERS
		Yes, of course.  We townsfolk forget that.

He starts to take off his coat.

			REGINE
		Can I help?

She helps him off with his coat.

			REGINE
		Oh Pastor!  Your coat - all wet...let me hang it in the hall.  Shall I take your umbrella?  I'll leave it open to dry.

She goes off with the things.  MANDERS sets his bag and hat down as REGINE returns.

			MANDERS
		It's very good to be indoors.  So - is everything going well out here?

			REGINE
		Yes, thank you.

			MANDERS
		And you're all run off your feet getting ready for tomorrow, eh?

			REGINE
		Oh we are, sir.

			MANDERS
		Is Mrs Alving at home?

			REGINE
		Oh yes.  She went upstairs with a hot drink for the young master.

			MANDERS
		I heard down at the pier that Osvald had arrived.

			REGINE
		The day  before yesterday...we didn't expect him till today!

			MANDERS
		All well, I trust?

			REGINE
		Yes, he's fine, thank you, just ever so tired after the journey...he came all the way from Paris without a break!  He's having a little sleep, I think, so we'll keep our voices down.

			MANDERS
		(Dropped voice)  Yes, of course.

			REGINE
		(Turns an armchair for the PASTOR)  Sit down, Pastor, let me make you comfortable.  (She puts a stool under his feet.)  There, is that better?

			MANDERS
		Thank you.  You know, Miss Engstrand, you've grown since I last saw you.

			REGINE
		I have.  Mrs Alving says I'm filling out.

			MANDERS
		Perhaps a little.  It becomes you.  (A short pause.)

			REGINE
		Shall I tell Mrs Alving you're here?

			MANDERS
		No hurry, dear child.  Now, Regine, what news of your father?  All in order there?

			REGINE
		Pretty much.

			MANDERS
		He came to see me when he was last in town.

			REGINE
		Oh, he's always pleased when he can talk to you, Pastor.

			MANDERS
		You've been keeping an eye on him, I daresay, while he's been out here.  Have you managed to see him every day?

			REGINE
		Every day?

			MANDERS
		Your father is not a strong character, Miss Engstrand.  He requires constant guidance.

			REGINE
		I know.

			MANDERS
		He needs someone by him, under his roof, someone whose judgement he respects.  That man had the honesty to admit as much, the last time he was in my house.

			REGINE
		I know.  He said so.  But I can hardly leave Mrs Alving, with the new orphanage to see to.  She's been ever so kind to me, I should hate to leave her -

			MANDERS
		Nonetheless, my dear girl, a daughter's duty, eh?  We'd need Mrs Alving's consent, of course.

			REGINE
		I don't think it would be right for me to keep house for a single man, not at my age.

			MANDERS
		We're talking about your father, Miss Engstrand.

			REGINE
		That's as may be.  It would be different if... if it were a different sort of house...a gentleman's house.

			MANDERS
		Regine -

			REGINE
		Someone I could look up to, as a daughter -

			MANDERS
		My dear child -

			REGINE
		Of course I'd like to live in town...it's lonely here.  You know what it's like to be alone in the world, Pastor.  I'm capable, and very willing.  Do you know of such a place for me -

			MANDERS
		I?

			REGINE
		In town...with a gentleman -

			MANDERS
		I'm afraid I don't.

			REGINE
		You will think of me, dear Mr Manders, if ever -

			MANDERS
		(Rising)  Yes, yes -

			REGINE
		Because I do need -

			MANDERS
		Tell Mrs Alving I'm here if you will.

			REGINE
		Of course.

She goes.  MANDERS paces, looks outside, then picks up a book on the table.  He is surprised by it, picks up others.

			MANDERS
		(Murmurs)  We-ell...

MRS ALVING comes in, followed by REGINE, who crosses and goes out.

			MRS ALVING
		(Extending her hand)  Pastor.  So good to see you.

			MANDERS
		Mrs Alving.  Here I am, as promised.

			MRS ALVING
		Punctual as ever.

			MANDERS
		Never easy, getting away, as you can imagine... so many boards and committees...

			MRS ALVING
		Then I'm all the more obliged to you.  Where are your things?

			MANDERS
		(Quickly)  I left them down at the harbour, I'm staying there for the night.

			MRS ALVING
		(Smiling)  I can't persuade you to spend even one night under my roof?

			MANDERS
		It's convenient to be near the boat.

			MRS ALVING
		Well, do as you wish, but really, two old  people like us -

			MANDERS
		Oh, you will have your little joke, Mrs Alving.  You're in fine spirits today...well, the celebration tomorrow...your son home...

			MRS ALVING
		After two years...yes, I'm very happy.  He's promised to stay for the winter!

			MANDERS
		Very good of him, especially with all those attractions in Paris.

			MRS ALVING
		But he has his mother here.  The dear boy still has room for me.

			MANDERS
		I'm happy to hear that devotion to art and the like hasn't blunted his natural feelings.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, there's no chance of that.  I wonder, will you still recognize him?  He'll be down in a minute, he's just having a rest.  But now...dear Pastor - do sit down.

			MANDERS
		Is this a convenient time to discuss business?

			MRS ALVING
		Of course.  (She sits at the table.)

			MANDERS
		(Gets papers, sits across from her.)  Let's have a look, shall we?  (Breaks off)  Oh, by the way, where did these come from?

			MRS ALVING
		The books?  I'm reading them.

			MANDERS
		You read this sort of thing?

			MRS ALVING
		Why yes.

			MANDERS
		I see.  Do you feel the better for it?

			MRS ALVING
		I fee more secure, yes.

			MANDERS
		How surprising.  In what way?

			MRS ALVING
		They reinforce ideas, thoughts of my own.  Things that I'm sure we all think, but don't talk about - perhaps prefer not to face.

			MANDERS
		You can't seriously believe that most people are like that.

			MRS ALVING
		I do, yes.

			MANDERS
		Our sort of people?

			MRS ALVING
		Oh yes.  (Touches the books)  Show me what you object to.

			MANDERS
		I'm afraid I don't waste my time on that kind of publication.

			MRS ALVING
		So you don't know what you're condemning?

			MANDERS
		I've read enough about this sort of thing to disapprove thoroughly of -

			MRS ALVING
		But your opinions are not first hand?

			MANDERS
		My dear Mrs Alving, there are many occasions in life where one has to rely on the opinions of others.  That is how society functions.

			MRS ALVING
		You're probably right.

			MANDERS
		I don't deny a certain fascination, and I don't blame you for being interested in current intellectual ideas in the world out there, where your son...where you've allowed your son to... however, perhaps the less said the better.  All the same, reading within one's four walls is one thing, but you have special obligations.

			MRS ALVING
		Obligations?

			MANDERS
		To the orphanage.  Which you decided to found at a time when your spiritual values perhaps were somewhat different from those you now seem to - however, that's just the way I see it.

			MRS ALVING
		Exactly.  But it was about the Refuge, the Orphanage -

			MANDERS
		- that we wanted to talk, yes.  Just the same - discretion, my dear Mrs Alving, I beg of you.  Now, to business.  (Opens folder.)

			MRS ALVING
		Ah, the deeds!

			MANDERS
		Everything is in order.  It hasn't been easy, the authorities are almost painfully conscientious when it comes to making decisions - however, I have managed to push things through.  Here is the conveyance of the plot and the new buildings, which comprise the school, staff quarters and chapel.  And this is the official charter together with the bye-laws that will govern the running of the orphanage.  (Reads)  `Bye-laws governing the Captain Alving Memorial Orphanage and Refuge'.

MRS ALVING takes the papers and looks at them for a long moment.

			MRS ALVING
		So, here it is.

			MANDERS
		I put Captain rather than Court Chamberlain, it seemed less ostentatious.

			MRS ALVING
		Whatever you think best.

			MANDERS
		The bankbook, showing interest on capital set aside for running expenses...

			MRS ALVING
		Oh please, wont' you take care of that?

			MANDERS
		As you wish.  We may as well leave the money on deposit for the time being.  I know the interest's very low - four per cent, and you have to wait six months to make a withdrawal.  Perhaps later on, if we could lend it out as a mortgage...a first mortgage of course and absolutely secure - we might reconsider.

			MRS ALVING
		You know best.

			MANDERS
		I'll keep my eyes open.  Now, one more matter.  Insurance.

			MRS ALVING
		Insurance?

			MANDERS
		Do you feel that we should insure the Orphanage?

			MRS ALVING
		Of course.  Everything I own is insured - house, furniture, crops, livestock -

			MANDERS
		Naturally, with your own property - I do the same.  But this, d'you see, is a different matter.  The Orphanage, if I may remind you, is to be consecrated to a higher purpose.

			MRS ALVING
		Well, yes, but all the same -

			MANDERS
		From a personal point of view I'd  have not the least objection to insuring against all risk.  But - we could be accused of a lack of faith in Divine Providence, could we not?

			MRS ALVING
		Is that likely?  Surely, if we are satisfied in our own minds -

			MANDERS
		But what would be the general feeling?  I mean locally?  Are there people whose opinions matter who might take offence?

			MRS ALVING
		Well - perhaps - though hardly likely -

			MANDERS
		(Carrying on)  - other denominations and their congregations for a start.  I've seen it all before.

			MRS ALVING
		My dear Pastor -

			MANDERS
		We must think beyond ourselves in this situation, must we not?  If we allow a false impression of our motives to become public, should we convey an interest in the mundane, might not that hamper the good works that we seek to achieve?

			MRS ALVING
		You feel that insuring everything is likely to do that?

			MANDERS
		There is also my own situation.  One can hardly shut one's eyes to the difficult, one might almost say painful position in which I might find myself.  People of influence in the town are extremely interested in the orphanage - it is, after all, designed for civic benefit - the burden of caring for the poor will most certainly be lightened.  As your adviser, I shall undoubtedly be first in the line of fire from the more bigoted elements, so to speak.

			MRS ALVING
		Surely not.

			MANDERS
		My name defiled in certain papers and journals if we are seen to be dispensing sums that might be considered more properly used for succouring those in need.  I could even be accused of malpractice.

			MRS ALVING
		No, Mr Manders.  I won't have that.  No, no, no!

			MANDERS
		Then, shall we say - ?

			MRS ALVING
		Let us forget the insurance.

			MANDERS
		Ah, but you see, if there should be an untoward occurrence...after all, one can never be sure... are you, Mrs Alving, that is to say - could you, would you be in a position to make up the loss?

			MRS ALVING
		I am afraid not.

			MANDERS
		Then we assume between us a grave responsibility.

			MRS ALVING
		What else can we do?

			MANDERS
		What indeed?

			MRS ALVING
		Especially you, given your calling.

			MANDERS
		Then we agree to rely on the benevolence of divine providence.

			MRS ALVING
		Yes indeed.

			MANDERS
		And leave things as they are?  (She nods.)  As you wish.  (Makes a note.)  No - insurance.

			MRS ALVING
		Odd that you should mention it - insurance, I mean.  (He looks up)  There was a fire yesterday.

			MANDERS
		What?

			MRS ALVING
		Oh nothing to speak of, just some shavings in the carpenter's shop.

			MANDERS
		Engstrand, you mean?

			MRS ALVING
		Throwing down matches.  I'm afraid he's very careless.

			MANDERS
		A man of tribulations, Mrs Alving.  But, I am happy to report, on the way to a better and purer life.

			MRS ALVING
		Who says so?

			MANDERS
		He told me so himself.  He is a good workman.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh indeed.  When he's sober.

			MANDERS
		It's the leg, do you see.  But he came to visit me when he was in town, just to thank me for getting him the work here, so that he could be with his daughter.

			MRS ALVING
		Regine?  He never sees her!

			MANDERS
		Oh no, he talks to her every single day - he told me.

			MRS ALVING
		Really?

			MANDERS
		He feels he needs a restraining hand to keep him from temptation.  That is what is so very touching about the man - his nakedness.  Now, if it truly became vital for him to have Regine home again -

			MRS ALVING
		(Rises)  What?

			MANDERS
		You wouldn't set yourself against that?

			MRS ALVING
		I most certainly would.

			MANDERS
		He is her father, remember -

			MRS ALVING
		And what sort of a father?  No, that would not have my blessing.

			MANDERS
		(Rising)  My dear Mrs Alving.  Please don't upset yourself.  I can't think why the man alarms you, believe me, you misjudge him.

			MRS ALVING
		(More calmly)  Be that as it may.  What matters is that I've taken Regine into my home, and here she stays.  (Listens)  Sssh!  We'll say no more.  (Smiles, happy)  Osvald's coming down ...There's Osvald to talk about!

OSVALD ALVING, wearing a light overcoat,  hat in hand, and smoking a large meerschaum pipe, enters.

			OSVALD
		(In the doorway)  I'm sorry - I thought you were in the study.  Good morning, Pastor Manders.

			MANDERS
		(Stares at him)  Ah!  Astonishing!...

			MRS ALVING
		Well!  What do you think of him.  Pastor?

			MANDERS
		I - no...can it really be...?

			OSVALD
		Yes.  The Prodigal Son.

			MANDERS
		My dear boy -

			OSVALD
		Well, the son anyway.

			MRS ALVING
		I daresay Osvald's thinking of the way you so strongly objected to his becoming a painter, do you remember?

			MANDERS
		Many a step that looks doubtful at the time...at all events, welcome home, Osvald - you'll allow me to call you by that name?

			OSVALD
		What else?

			MANDERS
		What I meant to say, my dear Osvald...what I mean to convey - I don't condemn the life of the artist out of hand, not in the least.  I daresay that there are more than a few who manage to keep themselves free from corruption and temptation.

			OSVALD
		No doubt.

			MRS ALVING
		(Smiling)  One for sure, you've only to look at him, Pastor!

			OSVALD
		Yes all right, Mother, that's enough.

			MRS ALVING
		And he's making a name for himself - the name Osvald Alving is often in the Paris papers.

			OSVALD
		Not so much recently.  I haven't been painting.

			MRS ALVING
		Even artists need to stop now and then.

			MANDERS
		A pause...for contemplation, and to prepare for the great works to come.

			OSVALD
		When is lunch?

			MRS ALVING
		In half an hour.  He has a wonderful appetite, thank the Lord.

			MANDERS
		And likes his tobacco too, I see.

			OSVALD
		I found this (waves the pipe) upstairs, in the bedroom.

			MANDERS
		Ah, then that explains it!

			MRS ALVING
		I'm sorry?

			MANDERS
		When you came down those stairs I saw your father.

			OSVALD
		Oh?

			MRS ALVING
		I don't know how you can say that.  Osvald takes after me.

			MANDERS
		But there's a look, d'you see, around the corners of the mouth.  Something about the lips...now, with the pipe in his mouth he's the very image of Captain Alving.

			MRS ALVING
		Not at all, nothing like him.  Osvald has more the look of a minister of the church.

			MANDERS
		Perhaps that's what I was seeing.

			MRS ALVING
		Dearest, I'd rather you didn't smoke in here.

			OSVALD
		(Puts the pipe down)  I just wanted to try it.  I did once before, when I was a child.

			MRS ALVING
		Did you?

			OSVALD
		When I was little.  I went into Father's room - I remember it very well, he was in a marvellous mood.

			MRS ALVING
		You can't possibly remember.

			OSVALD
		I do.  He took me on his knee and let me smoke his pipe.  `Smoke, my boy!' he said.  `Smoke it for real!'  I sucked right in as far as I could till the sweat fell off my forehead...he laughed so much.

			MANDERS
		Laughed?

			MRS ALVING
		You just dreamed it.

			OSVALD
		No, Mother, don't you remember?  You came in and carried me off to the nursery to be sick.  I remember you were crying.  Did he often play tricks like that?

			MANDERS
		A man full of life, your father.
			OSVALD
		And did so much in spite of dying young.

			MANDERS
		You've inherited a worthy name, Osvald.  Pray God it will be an inspiration to you.

			OSVALD
		Yes.

			MANDERS
		We're so grateful to have you here to honour your father's memory.

			OSVALD
		The least I could do.

			MRS ALVING
		And he's staying!

			MANDERS
		I hear you're at home for the winter.

			OSVALD
		Yes, indefinitely.  Oh, it's good to be home!

			MRS ALVING
		Yes!

			MANDERS
		After being out in the world so early.

			MRS ALVING
		Nonsense!  There's nothing better for a healthy young man, especially when he's an only child, no use staying at home to be coddled.

			MANDERS
		A debatable proposition, if I may say so, Mrs Alving.  A child's proper place must always be his father's house.

			OSVALD
		I agree.

			MANDERS
		Look at Osvald.  I think we can say this in front of him.  Here we have a young man of twenty-six who's never yet had the chance of a real home of his own.

			OSVALD
		No, that's not true.

			MANDERS
		Oh?  I thought you moved entirely in artistic circles?

			OSVALD
		Yes, that's so.

			MANDERS
		Among younger artists?  (OSVALD inclines his head.)

			OSVALD
		Yes.

			MANDERS
		Who don't, I assume, have the means to build a home, start a family...?

			OSVALD
		They can't afford to marry - but they still have a home life, some of them.

MRS ALVING follows attentively, nods.

			MANDERS
		No, no, I wasn't talking of a bachelor establishment, I mean a family home, where a man lives with his wife, his children.

			OSVALD
		That's what I meant.  A man with his children and their mother.

			MANDERS
		In the name of our merciful father - !

			OSVALD
		I'm sorry?

			MANDERS
		Lives?  With the mother of his children?  You mean without the sanction of marriage?

			OSVALD
		What do you want him to do - abandon them?

			MANDERS
		But you're talking of illicit relations!  What you describe is nothing more nor less than wicked and irresponsible Free Love!

			OSVALD
		I can't say I've noticed any particular irresponsibility.

			MANDERS
		But how could any decently brought up young man or woman accept such a way of life?

			OSVALD
		What else can they do?  They've no money, no means, what can they do?

			MANDERS
		What can they do?  I'll tell you what they can do, Mr Alving.  They can keep one another at a distance - that's what they can do!

			OSVALD
		When they're in love?

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, what then?

			MANDERS
		I am shocked.  To think that the authorities allow such wantonness to go on openly.  (To MRS ALVING)  Now you see how right I was to be concerned about Osvald.  To be exposed to circles where immorality is not only permitted but accepted -

			OSVALD
		Pastor, please.  I've been a frequent Sunday visitor to more than one of these... unconventional -

			MANDERS
		On a Sunday?!

			OSVALD
		Yes, a day to enjoy - and never once have I heard anything untoward.  Shall I tell you where I have met immorality?  From husbands and fathers away from home, out to see life in the artists' cafes.  If you want to know about sin, ask them.

			MANDERS
		Are you suggesting that respectable men from here -

			OSVALD
		You'll have heard them talking about the loose morals of foreigners, these respectable travelled citizens when they come home.  How do they know, eh?  Believe me, they know because they have had first-hand experience.  Who is it who fouls the life of the artist, the genuine free life ...I'll tell you -

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, don't...please don't upset yourself, it's bad for you.

			OSVALD
		Yes, you're right.  It's this damned fatigue.  I'll go for a walk before lunch.  Forgive me, Pastor, I don't expect you share my feelings but I know what I'm talking about.  For vice there must be patrons of vice.  (Goes out.)

			MRS ALVING
		My poor, dear boy -

			MANDERS
		Well said, well said indeed.  Now we see how far he's strayed!

He paces.  MRS ALVING says nothing.

			MANDERS
		You notice that he calls himself the prodigal son?  Very sad.  Very sad.

MRS ALVING does not answer.

			MANDERS
		What have you to say now, Mrs Alving?

			MRS ALVING
		(Pause)  He's right.  I agree with what he says.

			MANDERS
		You agree?  With slanderous nonsense?  With loose and immoral principles?

			MRS ALVING
		Not with immorality, no.  My quarrel is with the so-called morality that is merely a cloak for darkness.  And for the so-called morality that denies the young expression.  Of course I've never dared open my mouth.  Not until now.  Now Osvald is here he can speak for me.

			MANDERS
		If these are indeed your thoughts then you are to be pitied.  We need to talk seriously.

		(He paces.)

		Mrs Alving, I speak to you now not as you and your husband's childhood friend but as your priest.

			MRS ALVING
		Priest?

			MANDERS
		As I did once before at a particular moment in your life.

			MRS ALVING
		(Quietly)  And what does my priest have to say?

			MANDERS
		Let me take you back.  Tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of your husband's death.  The day that a memorial will be unveiled in his honour.  A day when I shall be speaking from the platform to a large company of people.  Today I speak to you alone.

			MRS ALVING
		Pray do.

			MANDERS
		(Pause)  Do you remember how, after one year of marriage you stood on the edge of a chasm?  How you left your home...deserted your husband - yes, Mrs Alving, deserted him!  You refused, you utterly refused to go back, despite his pleadings and sorrow.

			MRS ALVING
		I was in despair.  Have you forgotten that?  How unhappy I was?

			MANDERS
		But can't you see?  Out of your own mouth!  This is the very heart of the rebellious spirit.  Who are we to crave happiness in this life?  Do we have a right to joy?

		What right?

		No Mrs Alving.  We are here to obey, to submit, and to do our duty.  Your duty was to stand by the man of your choice, the man to whom you were bound by sacred vows - your husband.

			MRS ALVING
		But you knew the life he was leading - where his desires were taking him.

			MANDERS
		There were rumours, yes.  If they were true such conduct was unacceptable.  But was it your role to be your husband's judge?  Was not your duty as his wife to bear the cross that providence saw fit to lay on your shoulders? 

			MANDERS  (Cont'd)
		Instead, you chose to cast off the burdens of a Higher Will.  You reneged on your sacred task, you saw fit to abandon the soul most close to you, most in need of succour.  You left, risking your name, the good name of your family...not to mention the good name of others.

			MRS ALVING
		One other, I believe you mean.

			MANDERS
		And did you not think, when you came to me?  did you not consider?

			MRS ALVING
		I came to an old family friend.  To my Pastor.

			MANDERS
		And thank the Almighty that I had the strength, that it was given to me to make you see the light and to lead you back to your duty and the hearth of your lawful spouse.

			MRS ALVING
		Yes.  That was certainly your doing.

			MANDERS
		As the humble instrument of a Higher Power.  With God's help I bent your will to obedience and all the blessings that followed.  It went as I foretold.  Did not your husband, as I promised, give up the life he was leading?  Was there ever a more decent and upright man, right until the end.  A man created Court Chamberlain, a benefactor to the whole community, with you at his side, supporting him, sharing!  I witnessed that sharing, Mrs Alving, and your tireless contribution.  It is to your credit, and I am the first, the very first to attest to that.  But then there was your second mistake.

			MRS ALVING
		Mistake?  What do you mean?

			MANDERS
		Just as you had sought to evade your duties as a wife you then - it grieves me to say this - chose to evade your central and most sacred duty as a mother.

			MRS ALVING
		Ahh!

			MANDERS
		Again, the sin of disobedience.  Wilfulness!  You have an xxx in you that draws you to that which is unrestrained, undisciplined.  You hate to be confined.  Carelessly and irresponsibly you cast aside that which impedes or inconveniences you.  It didn't suit you to be a wife, so you left...you deserted your husband.  You found it tiresome, restricting to be a mother and so you abandoned your child and left him to strangers.

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, I did that.

			MANDERS
		So that now he is a stranger to you.

			MRS ALVING
		No.

			MANDERS
		How can it not be so?  And what sort of son is he, now that we see him?  You failed your husband, the very raising of this monument to him betrays your feelings of guilt.  Admit it.  Find the strength to face the truth that you have failed, too, your son.  There may still be time.  It may be possible to claw him back from the paths of error into righteousness if you are prepared to change yourself, become fit and able to save what is left of that boy.  You and you alone are to blame.  As a wife - and as a mother.  Guilty.  It is the duty of my calling to tell you this.

Silence.

			MRS ALVING
		(Calmly, controlling herself)  You have had your say, Pastor Manders.  Tomorrow you will be on the platform, speaking in public of my husband's memory.  Tomorrow I shall be silent.  I shall make no speeches.  I shall speak now.  As you have chosen to speak to me.

			MANDERS
		No doubt to seek to make excuses for your conduct.  I am prepared to -

			MRS ALVING
		No.  I wish merely to state some facts.

			MANDERS
		Very well. I am listening.

			MRS ALVING
		Everything that you've said about my husband and me...about our...our life together...after you sent me...led me back to...as you call it...the path of duty...you know nothing of that life, our life.  From the moment I returned, you, who used to visit us every day, never set foot in our house.

			MANDERS
		I moved away, almost at once.

			MRS ALVING
		That's true.  And not once, while my husband was alive, at any time did you take the trouble to come and see us.  The only reason that you have visited recently is because of the orphanage - a business matter.

			MANDERS
		(Low)  Hélène...if that is meant as a reproach to me then I must ask you to consider -

			MRS ALVING
		- the respect you owed to your calling, yes.  I was a woman who had run away from her husband.  You can't be too careful with women like that.
			MANDERS
		Please...you exaggerate.  My dear Mrs Alving -
			MRS ALVING
		We'll forget I said that.  I simply want you to know that when you judge my married life, you can only be making a judgement on hearsay.

			MANDERS
		That may be so.

			MRS ALVING
		And now I shall tell you the truth.  I promised myself that one day - one day you at least should be told.

			MANDERS
		And pray what is it that you have to tell me.

			MRS ALVING
		The truth is that my husband did not change his way of life.  He lived as...as he had always done...until the day he died.

			MANDERS
		What?

			MRS ALVING
		For nineteen years, during all the years of our marriage, my husband lived what you would call a dissolute life.  The life that he had lived before you married us.

			MANDERS
		But these - early indiscretions...the follies of youth...you call these dissolute?

			MRS ALVING
		It is the word used by my doctor.

			MANDERS
		I'm sorry, I don't understand.

			MRS ALVING
		You don't need to.

			MANDERS
		Are you saying that your marriage was a mockery all those years?
	
			MRS ALVING
		Yes.

			MANDERS
		I...I find that very hard to believe.  No, it doesn't make sense.  How could a man live - it would all come out!  A secret life...here?  No, no, no...

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, it's perfectly possible.  A man of such charm - so likeable, everyone said.  I thought after Osvald was born...but no.  I had to fight even harder to keep his reputation intact.  I was his willing accomplice.  That is, until he brought his way of life into this house.

			MANDERS
		What?  Brought what?

			MRS ALVING
		There was a relationship with one of the maids.  "Please, Captain, please - " night after night.  Ludicrous.

			MANDERS
		Totally unacceptable - but - with young girls about the house, no more than high spirits, surely?

			MRS ALVING
		The affair had consequences, Pastor Manders.

			MANDERS
		Consequences?  You mean she - ?

			MRS ALVING
		Yes.  She gave birth.  Here.  Upstairs.  In this house.

			MANDERS
		And you are saying that you permitted this wickedness?  Under your own roof?

			MRS ALVING
		At that time I was prepared to endure anything, his fists, violence, anything, just to keep him at home, where I thought I could restrain...he took his amusement anyway.  At least it gave me a weapon, something to blackmail him with.  I provided for the woman, cared for the child - she was my son's half-sister!...and took control of the house and our affairs.  But I had to send Osvald away.  (Her voice breaks.)  How could I keep him here?  He was beginning to see things, he even tried to protect me - oh, you can't know what it cost me to let him go.

			MANDERS
		Dreadful.

			MRS ALVING
		I survived by working.  All the improvements to the farm and properties - everything that Alving was praised for - did you honestly believe they were his doing?  He lay on a sofa, day and night.  There were moments of lucidity but always the relapse into delirium, days of coma ...rage...weeping...

			MANDERS
		And this is the man to whom you are raising a monument?

			MRS ALVING
		What better way to hide the truth?

			MANDERS
		You have certainly succeeded in that.

			MRS ALVING
		I had another reason.  I want Osvald to inherit nothing from his father.

			MANDERS
		So the money -

			MRS ALVING
		The exact amount that made Lieutenant Alving such a good match has been spent on the orphanage, every last krone.  When Osvald inherits, it will be from me.  My money.

OSVALD comes in.

			MRS ALVING
		Ah, you're back, my dear.

			OSVALD
		What can one do - this endless rain...but I hear lunch is ready, that's good.

REGINE enters with a package.

			REGINE
		A parcel for you, ma'am.

			MRS ALVING
		The choir music for tomorrow I daresay.

			MANDERS
		Mmm.

			REGINE
		Dinner's ready - I mean, lunch is served.

			MRS ALVING
		We'll be along in a moment.  (Opening the package.)

			REGINE
		Will Mr Alving have red or white, ma'am?

			OSVALD
		Both, Regine!

			REGINE
		Bien...very good, Mr Alving.

			OSVALD
		I'll come and help you uncork.

They go into the dining room.

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, it's the sheet music for the choir.

			MANDERS
		How shall I ever be able to give my speech tomorrow?  What am I going to say?

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, you'll manage.

			MANDERS
		(Low)  No scandal, please, I beg of you.

			MRS ALVING
		(Firm)  After tomorrow the farce will be over.  It will be just my son and me...just the two of us.

The sound of a chair knocked over.  REGINE'S voice, in a sharp whisper.

			REGINE
		Osvald, are you mad, stop it!

MRS ALVING is rigid, her face white.

			MRS ALVING
		Ah!

She stares at the door, as if mesmerised.  OSVALD coughs, and starts humming.  The sound of a bottle being uncorked.

			MANDERS
		What's the matter, Mrs Alving?  What is it?

			MRS ALVING
		(Hoarse)  Ghosts.  Don't you understand?  Regine!  She's the - the -

			MANDERS
		Regine?  You meant that Regine - she's the - ?

			MRS ALVING
		Not a word, do you understand?  Not a word!

She grips his arm fiercely for support, moves shakily towards the dining room.

ACT TWO

The room as before.  A mist over the landscape beyond.  MRS ALVING and PASTOR MANDERS enter from the dining room.

			MRS ALVING
		(Towards the dining room)  Osvald, are you joining us?

			OSVALD
		(Off)  No, thanks, I'm going out for a while.

			MRS ALVING
		Why not, I think it's clearing up a little.

She closes the door to the dining room, crosses to the hall and calls.

			MRS ALVING
		Regine!

			REGINE
		(Off)  Yes, ma'am?

			MRS ALVING
		Would you go down to the wash house and give them a hand with the decorations?

			REGINE
		I will, ma'am.

MRS ALVING pauses, to make sure that REGINE is out of earshot, and shuts the door.

			MANDERS
		Your son can't hear us?

			MRS ALVING
		No - he's gone out.

			MANDERS
		How I managed to sit through lunch I'll never know.

She paces.  And stops before him.

			MRS ALVING
		So.  What is to be done?

			MANDERS
		What indeed?  I've no experience in these matters.

			MRS ALVING
		Have you not, I thought they were your forte, surely the preservation of virtue comes within your sphere.  However, as to that nothing serious has happened so far.  Osvald has just taken a passing fancy to her.

			MANDERS
		It must be stopped.  She must be removed at once.

			MRS ALVING
		I can't simply turn her out of the house.  This is her home, where would she go?

			MANDERS
		Back to her father, of course.

			MRS ALVING
		Her father?

			MANDERS
		Yes! - oh but of course he isn't her father.  Mrs Alving, how can this be?  You can't be right!  Are you sure?

			MRS ALVING
		That Regine is?  Oh yes.  Johanna, my maid came to me for help, and Alving didn't deny the relationship.  There was nothing to be done but have the whole thing hushed up.

			MANDERS
		I see.

			MRS ALVING
		Johanna was sent off with enough money to hold  her tongue and managed very well for herself.  She picked up with Engstrand, told him some story about a foreigner on a yacht - the money will have helped - anyway, they were married - well, you married them yourself.

			MANDERS
		I remember quite distinctly the day Engstrand came to see me.  He was full of remorse - accused himself bitterly for the way he and the young woman, his fiancée as he called her, had...stepped ahead of themselves, so to speak.

			MRS ALVING
		So he took on the blame?

			MANDERS
		The hypocrisy of it! - and to me!  I would never have believed such a thing of Jakob Engstrand.  The immorality of such a marriage...and for money!  How much did she get?

			MRS ALVING
		Three hundred krone.

			MANDERS
		Three hundred?  Can you imagine it?  Tying himself to a degraded woman for a miserable three hundred krone!

			MRS ALVING
		Then your poor opinion must extend to me, Pastor.

			MANDERS
		What?

			MRS ALVING
		I also married into degradation.  When I stood at the altar with Alving, was he any more worthy than Johanna when Engstrand chose to take her?

			MANDERS
		Nonsense, there's a world of difference.

			MRS ALVING
		A difference in price, I concede.  Between three hundred krone and a sizeable fortune.

			MANDERS
		There's no comparison.

			MRS ALVING
		Isn't there?

			MANDERS
		You listened to the loving advice of your family, and to the dictates of your own heart.

			MRS ALVING
		(Looks away from him)  Oh I think you know where my heart was at that time.  And to whom I had lost it.

			MANDERS
		Had I known that I would never have been a visitor to your husband's house.

			MRS ALVING
		At all events, one thing is clear.  Whoever I listened to it was not myself.

			MANDERS
		You listened to those closest to you, as was proper -

			MRS ALVING
		Was it?  They wrote up my bill of sale, that's for certain.  Interest on capital invested, estimated gain...madness to turn down such a profitable offer, not to mention disobedient.  If my mother could see what all the promise and splendour had come to.  At least she never knew.

			MANDERS
		No-one can foresee how any marriage will work out.  Who can predict the result of each and every union?  No-one should be blamed.  Your marriage took place in all good faith, and with proper respect for the law.

			MRS ALVING
		(Sighs)  Respect for the law?  The cause of most of the mischief in this world I sometimes think.

			MANDERS
		Now that, if I may say so, Mrs Alving, is a very sinful statement.

			MRS ALVING
		Possibly.  All I know is that I am still chained by obligation, conventions that I perceive to be unreasonable.  I want to be free.

			MANDERS
		Free?  From what?

			MRS ALVING
		(Drumming her fingers)  I should never have covered it up.  Any of it.  The drink...the violence - the cruelty.  I was a coward.  Yes, I did it for Osvald, but it was for my own benefit, oh yes.

			MANDERS
		In what way?  If you say that your husband was a monster - a savage -

			MRS ALVING
		I should have left him?  And if I had run, who would have taken the blame?  "Poor man, abandoned by that faithless creature - a woman who abandons her vows" - well, wouldn't they?

			MANDERS
		I daresay.  I daresay.

			MRS ALVING
		I should have told Osvald the truth.  I should have looked him in the face and said "My son.  Your father is a degenerate, drunken, lying, lascivious -"

			MANDERS
		Stop it.

			MRS ALVING
		I should have told him everything as I'm telling you now.  What is it?  What's the matter?

			MANDERS
		(Shakes his head.)  Nothing.  You frightened me.

			MRS ALVING
		I frighten myself sometimes.  When I allow myself to think - which is not often.  As you see, I'm a coward.

			MANDERS
		How can it be cowardice to do your duty?  To protect a child so that he might love and honour his father and mother as he is enjoined to do.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, Pastor!  Abstractions!  So it is right that Osvald should be commanded to love and respect a man such as Alving?

			MANDERS
		Is it right that a mother should seek to destroy the innocence and happiness of her only child?

			MRS ALVING
		At the expense of truth?

			MANDERS
		In order to preserve his ideals.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh - ideals.

			MANDERS
		Don't destroy those, Mrs Alving.  That could be cruel, very cruel indeed.  Osvald, it would appear, does not enjoy the protection of inherited or personally decided principles.  He wavers.  Leave him at least with respect and love for his father, however illusory.

			MRS ALVING
		Yes...

			MANDERS
		You've created a beautiful and nourishing image.  Do not, I beg of you, seek to destroy that.

Silence.

			MRS ALVING
		And Regine?

			MANDERS
		He mustn't go near her.

			MRS ALVING
		No.  Mind you - if I thought it would make him happy I'd say "Marry her!"

			MANDERS
		What?  In the name of God!

			MRS ALVING
		Why not?

			MANDERS
		This is sheer barbarity!

			MRS ALVING
		Not at all.  I'm serious.  You know very well, Pastor, how many families out here are more than closely related.

			MANDERS
		I'm sorry.  I don't know what you mean.

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, you do.  You understand very well.

			MANDERS
		You're saying where there is...very well, it's true.  Some families aren't as...as they should be.  But it's not usual, as far as we know.  What you are saying, Mrs Alving, if I understand you rightly, is that you, an educated and responsible woman would be willing to allow your own son - your own son -

			MRS ALVING
		No.  Not willing.  Unwilling.  But only because I'm a coward.

			MANDERS
		And if you weren't, are you saying that you would approve of an illegal monstrous union -

			MRS ALVING
		As to that, are we not all descended from the one original union?  And whose idea was that, in the first place?

			MANDERS
		This is blasphemy.  I will not discuss such questions with you in your present state.  To cite cowardice as the only obstacle to abomination!

			MRS ALVING
		Please.  You don't understand.  When I say I'm a coward, I mean I'm afraid.

			MANDERS
		Afraid of what?

			MRS ALVING
		Ghosts.

			MANDERS
		Ghosts?  Of what?  Who?

			MRS ALVING
		When I heard them in there just now - (She shudders.)  I almost believe that we're all ghosts, all of us.  It's not only what we inherit from our fathers, mothers, grandparents...it's every kind of dead belief that drapes every sinew inside us.  Pick up a newspaper, a journal ...every line! - or in between the lines - ghosts!  Like little grains of sand, clogging the arteries, or black forest canopies.  Keeping the light from us.  How can we be brave, see things as they are when our eyes are webbed with weed... misted over?

			MANDERS
		So this is the result of all your reading...those insidious, free-thinking books.

			MRS ALVING
		You're wrong.  It was you who started me thinking, and for that I shall always be grateful.

			MANDERS
		Me?

			MRS ALVING
		Yes.  When you spent those hours and days persuading me of my duty, of what you called my obligations.  When you praised to the sky what I felt in my heart to be loathsome and ugly - and untruthful - that's when I began to go over your teachings, line by line, seam by seam.  I just wanted to pull at a thread.  But the more I pulled, the more the whole design fell apart.

			MANDERS
		And that is all I managed to achieve, after the hardest fought battle of my life?

			MRS ALVING
		Your most abject defeat, I think.

			MANDERS
		No.  My greatest victory.  Over myself.
	
			MRS ALVING
		On the contrary, it was a crime - against both of us.

			MANDERS
		Because I said `Woman, go home to your lawful husband?' when you came to me, out of your mind, crying `Here I am - take me!'  You call that a crime?

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, I think it was.

			MANDERS
		Then we don't understand each other.
			MRS ALVING
		At all events, not now.  Not any more.

			MANDERS
		Never - never in my most secret heart have I ever seen you as anything other than another man's wife.

			MRS ALVING
		You are asking me to believe that?

			MANDERS
		Hélène!

			MRS ALVING
		We forget so easily the people that we were.

			MANDERS
		Not I.  I am the same - the same as I always was.

			MRS ALVING
		(Changes tone)  I daresay.  Well, that was then.  This is now.  You are busy all the time with committees, boards, speeches...and I sit here struggling with ghosts.

			MANDERS
		I can help you - at least with some of them.  For a start, that young girl cannot remain in this house.  If we could find a husband for her - don't you think that would be advisable...to get her decently established?

			MRS ALVING
		Marry her off?  (Ironic)  Ah yes.

			MANDERS
		Not without her full consent.

			MRS ALVING
		As you say.

			MANDERS
		She has reached the age when -

			MRS ALVING
		Yes she matured very early.

			MANDERS
		I had noticed.  Perhaps for now she should be sent home to her father - to think how that man deceived me - lies and deceit!  Claiming to be the girl's parent - nobly standing at the side of the woman, after they had fallen into weakness together!  Did he - does he know her real father - is he aware?

A knock at the hall door.

			MRS ALVING
		Now who is that?

ENGSTRAND appears in his Sunday clothes.

			ENGSTRAND
		I do beg your pardon, most humbly -

			MANDERS
		Oh, you is it?

			MRS ALVING
		Engstrand -

			ENGSTRAND
		None of the maids was about, so I hope you don't mind, I knocked on the door myself.
			MRS ALVING
		How can I help you?

			ENGSTRAND
		It was the Pastor, actually.  I wanted a word.

			MANDERS
		(Walking up and down)  Oh yes?  Me, is it?  It's me you want, eh?

			ENGSTRAND
		I'd be ever so grateful -

MANDERS confronts him.

			MANDERS
		So - what is it?

			ENGSTRAND
		It's like this, you see, Pastor.  We've all been paid off - thanks to you, ma'am...and everything being all finished up I thought how nice it would be if us honest craftsmen...I was thinking if we rounded it all off with a little prayer meeting tonight.

			MANDERS
		A prayer meeting?

			ENGSTRAND
		Down at the orphanage.  Of course if it's not convenient -

			MANDERS
		No, no...it's a fine idea -

			ENGSTRAND
		I've been holding a few evening prayers down there myself...just, you know...

			MRS ALVING
		You?

			ENGSTRAND
		Now and then.  A few quiet words together, I'm only an ordinary man, Lord knows I'm nobody special...anyway, I was thinking...with you being out here with us -

			MANDERS
		Yes, yes, yes - well, that's as may be, but there's something I need to know, Engstrand.  Tell me this.  On the matter of conscience, how is yours?  You could tell me, in all honesty, that your conscience was clear?

			ENGSTRAND
		Oh now, Pastor, God help me...I mean, if we're talking about conscience -

			MANDERS
		That is exactly what we're talking about.  And I would appreciate an answer.

			ENGSTRAND
		Conscience?  Well, sir, as to that, I couldn't say ...I couldn't claim to be clear in my mind about that.

			MANDERS
		At least you've the grace not to lie to me.  I am going to ask you a question, and I want an honest answer.  It is about Regine.

			ENGSTRAND
		Regine?  What's up with her?

			MANDERS
		Whose daughter is she?

			MRS ALVING
		Pastor Manders!

			MANDERS
		Leave it to me, Mrs Alving.

			ENGSTRAND
		My word, you gave me a turn!  I thought you meant something had happened to her.

			MANDERS
		Would you be good enough to answer my question.  Are you Regine's natural father?  Or are you not?

			ENGSTRAND
		Well, as to that...you remember the business with me and my dear lost Johanna...

			MANDERS
		Don't prevaricate, man.  Before your late wife left the service of this lady, she told Mrs Alving the truth...the truth, Engstrand.

			ENGSTRAND
		But it was supposed to be a secret.  You mean she let on?

			MANDERS
		So your secret is out, Engstrand.

			ENGSTRAND
		But she swore to me to secrecy, didn't she?  She made me promise not to let her down.

			MANDERS
		And all these years you kept the truth from me - from Me, your Pastor!  I trusted you, all the way, and you've told me lies!

			ENGSTRAND
		I'm sorry.

			MANDERS
		Did I deserve this?  Haven't I always held out my hand to you?  Haven't I sought, in every way, to lift you up?  Whenever I could?  Haven't I?

			ENGSTRAND
		I don't know how I'd have got by if it wasn't for you, sir, more than once.

			MANDERS
		And this is the way I am repaid.  You have caused me to make false entries in the parish register.  You have withheld information which it was your duty both as a Christian and a citizen to confide in me.  You have been deceitful, you have been false, you have been a liar.  For years and years and years.  I am finished with you.

			ENGSTRAND
		(Sighs)  Well, that's it, I suppose.

			MANDERS
		Oh, yes...oh yes.  You can't justify any of this - oh no.  You are found out.

			ENGSTRAND
		What could I do?  Let the poor girl go round telling everybody?...bad enough what happened, without more shame on top of it.  Put yourself in her shoes, Pastor -

			MANDERS
		I?

			ENGSTRAND
		Well, no...not literally.  But suppose you had something that you were ashamed of...I don't think it's up to us men to be too hard on women, sir, seeing how they're placed.

			MANDERS
		I am not blaming your wife.  It's you I'm talking to.

			ENGSTRAND
		If I could just ask your Reverence one question -
			MANDERS
		Very well, go on.

			ENGSTRAND
		Isn't it right to try and raise up the fallen?

			MANDERS
		Yes!

			ENGSTRAND
		And isn't a man obliged to keep his word - as a matter of honour?

			MANDERS
		Certainly.  But -

			ENGSTRAND
		At the time Johanna had her trouble with whoever it was...the Russian, Englishman... American perhaps...she'd already turned me down - twice.  She liked a decent-looking man, and I had this leg from trying to talk to seamen in a common drinking parlour...when I begged them to leave the liquor and the...and well, as you know, they threw me down the stairs.

			MRS ALVING
		(By the window)  Hmmm.	

			MANDERS
		I know that, Engstrand.  Your disability is a credit to you.

			ENGSTRAND
		Not that I pride myself on it, sir...oh no.  But what I wanted to say was...when she came to me, tears all down her face, threatening something desperate...well, it tore the heart out of me, and that's the truth.

			MANDERS
		Well?

			ENGSTRAND
		I said to her...listen to me, Johanna.  That Yankee's off, away over the seas, you won't see him again.  You're here, and I'm here, and you've had a fall, and here I am on two stout legs...I meant it as a manner of speaking, sir...

			MANDERS
		I understand.  Go on.

			ENGSTRAND
		Sir, I raised her up.  I gave her my hand, and the protection of my name so's nobody could point the finger and yell after her for carrying on and cavorting with foreigners.

			MANDERS
		All that was very commendable.  What I cannot approve is that you brought yourself to accept money -

			ENGSTRAND
		Money, sir?  Me, sir?  Not a penny.

MANDERS looks across at MRS ALVING.

			ENGSTRAND
		Oh yes...there was - I do remember.  Johanna did have a little sum.  No, I told her, no!  That's the wages of sin, that is, we'll have none of that...we'll throw it back in his face...gold, greasy banknotes, whatever they was.  But he'd gone by then, you see, Pastor.  Off over the ocean.

			MANDERS
		(Glancing towards MRS ALVING)  I see.

			ENGSTRAND
		We'll put the money, I said, for the child... for its upbringing.  And that's what we did - I can account for every penny.

			MANDERS
		I see.  Well, that alters things.  Considerably.

			ENGSTRAND
		I hope and pray I've been a decent father to Regine sir, God knows I've tried...so far as it's been in my power.  We're all frail, sinful mortals, and that's the truth.

			MANDERS
		Yes, yes, Engstrand.

			ENGSTRAND
		I brought up that child, and gave her and my dear wife a home,  just like the scriptures tell us.  But I never could have brought myself to come to Pastor Manders with a story of what a good deed I did in this world.  No...that sort of thing happens to Jakob Engstrand, he keeps it to himself.  When I come to see my Pastor it's to confess my sins and the error of my ways...like I said, my conscience troubles me as much as the next man's.

			MANDERS
		Jakob Engstrand, give me your hand.

			ENGSTRAND
		Oh, sir -

			MANDERS
		No fuss now.  (He grasps ENGSTRAND'S hand.)  There.

			ENGSTRAND
		If I can dare to beg the Pastor's pardon, in all humility -

			MANDERS
		No!  On the contrary.  I should beg your pardon -

			ENGSTRAND
		Oh no - no, no!

			MANDERS
		Yes, most definitely, yes.  And I do, with all my heart.  I'm ashamed to have misjudged you.  If there were a way to show my sincere regret for doubting your good heart - I'd like to make recompense -

			ENGSTRAND
		You would, Pastor?

			MANDERS
		I would, indeed.

			ENGSTRAND
		There is something that comes to mind.  As you know, with honest work, I've managed to put something aside, and the idea of a seamen's home, somewhere respectable where men could -

			MRS ALVING
		You, Engstrand?  You want to -

			ENGSTRAND
		(To MRS ALVING)  I want to create a refuge for young men...orphans of the ocean as you might say, Ma'am.  Oh, when you think of it, the temptations that can face a young'un when he comes ashore.  But under my roof he'd be, as it were, under a father's guidance.

			MANDERS
		What do you say, Mrs Alving?
			ENGSTRAND
		I've little enough to set it up with, God knows.  But with help, a kindly hand -

			MANDERS
		Mrs Alving?

She does not reply.

			MANDERS
		Yes.  Yes.  Your plan appeals to me.  I shall give it consideration.  However - for now - the prayers.  Go down and light a few candles for a touch of ceremony.  I shall be pleased to attend - we'll pray together, Engstrand.  Is everything ready?

			ENGSTRAND
		Oh yes, sir, and with you there - (he turns.)  Goodbye, Mrs Alving.  Look after my little girl for me, my poor Johanna's daughter.  That child is part of my own heart, I can't deny it.  (He bows his head to them and goes.)

			MANDERS
		Well!  What do you think now, Mrs Alving?  A different sort of picture, wouldn't you agree?

			MRS ALVING
		Very much so.

			MANDERS
		And you see how careful we must be in judging our fellow men - how easy it is to fall into error.

		Well, what do you say?

			MRS ALVING
		What do I say?  I say you have always been and always will be a big baby, Manders.

			MANDERS
		Me?

			MRS ALVING
		(Her hands on his shoulders)  And it's all I can do not to wrap you up in a great big hug.

			MANDERS
		(Pulling away)  Goodness me - no, please!

			MRS ALVING
		(Smiling)  I didn't mean to frighten you!

			MANDERS
		It's just the way you express yourself sometimes.  I'll...ah...(he gathers his documents, puts them in his bag.)  I'll say goodbye for the moment.  You'll...ah...keep an eye on your son...I shall look in later...

He goes.  MRS ALVING sighs, looks out of the window.  She tidies the table, goes to the dining room, stops short at the door.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald!  I didn't know you were there.

			OSVALD
		(From the dining room)  I'm just finishing my cigar.

			MRS ALVING
		I thought you'd gone out.

			OSVALD
		In this weather?

The sound of glass and decanter.  MRS ALVING, leaving the dining room door open, settles down with her knitting by the window.

			OSVALD
		Was that the Pastor leaving?

			MRS ALVING
		Yes.  He's gone down to the orphanage.

Again the sound of glass and decanter.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, do take it steadily, that's very strong liquor.

			OSVALD
		It keeps out the damp.

			MRS ALVING
		Come in here with me.

			OSVALD
		I'm smoking.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh I don't mind a cigar, you know that.

			OSVALD
		I'll just top up...(he enters, with glass and cigar.)  Where did he go?

			MRS ALVING
		The Pastor?  I told you, the Orphanage.
			OSVALD
		Oh, that's right.

			MRS ALVING
		You shouldn't sit at table so long.

			OSVALD
		It's cosy.  (He fondles her.)  I love it.  Sitting at my mother's table in my mother's room, enjoying delicious food.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, my dear boy...

			OSVALD
		(Gets up abruptly)  What else is there?  Not as though I can do anything.

			MRS ALVING
		Can't you?

			OSVALD
		In this?  (He gestures to the mist outside.)  No sun!  Not a glimmer, all day long!  (Paces)  Oh, this - !  And not being able to work!

			MRS ALVING
		Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to come home.

			OSVALD
		No.  I had to.

			MRS ALVING
		Believe me, I'd sacrifice the joy of having you here ten times over if I thought -

			OSVALD
		(Stops by the table)  Is it such a joy?  Having me back?

			MRS ALVING
		What a question!  How can you ask it!

			OSVALD
		I'm surprised it matters to you whether I'm here or not.

			MRS ALVING
		How can you say that to me - your own mother?

			OSVALD
		You've managed very well without me.

			MRS ALVING
		I've existed without you, that's true.

Silence.  Dusk deepens.  OSVALD puts down his cigar, paces.

			OSVALD
		(Stops by MRS ALVING)  May I?

She makes room for him on the sofa.

			MRS ALVING
		Please, dearest.

			OSVALD
		(Sits)  There's something I have to tell you.

			MRS ALVING
		(Nervously)  Oh?

			OSVALD
		Because I can't bear it any longer.

			MRS ALVING
		Bear what?

			OSVALD
		I couldn't bring myself to write, and ever since I've been back -

			MRS ALVING
		(Grasps his arm)  Osvald, what is it?

			OSVALD
		All yesterday and all today I've been trying to get rid of the thoughts in my head...it's no good ...

			MRS ALVING
		(Rises)  Tell me.  You must tell me.

			OSVALD
		(Pulls her down beside him)  Please.  (She sits)  I'll try and......I've said I was tired -

			MRS ALVING
		After the journey, yes...

			OSVALD
		It's not that.  It's not ordinary tiredness.

			MRS ALVING
		(Tries to rise)  Osvald, are you ill?

			OSVALD
		(Pulls her down again)  Sit down, Mother.  Try not to be upset.  I'm not ill in the ordinary sense.  (He puts his hands to his head.)  It's my mind.  It's broken down.  It doesn't work any more.  I can't -

He throws himself into her lap, and sobs deeply.

			MRS ALVING
		(Trembling)  Osvald...no, look at me!  No, it's not true!

			OSVALD
		(Looks up at her in despair)  I'll never work again.  Can you imagine not being able to work, Mother?  It's like being dead.

			MRS ALVING
		My darling!  How could this awful thing happen to you?

			OSVALD
		(Sits up)  That's what I don't understand.  I've never led a wild life, not in that way.

			MRS ALVING
		Of course you haven't.

			OSVALD
		And yet I have this horrible thing!

			MRS ALVING
		No.  It's going to be all right.  You're suffering from nervous exhaustion, it's nothing more than that, believe me.

			OSVALD
		That's what I thought in the beginning.  (He shakes his head.)

			MRS ALVING
		Tell me about it.  When did you first feel ill?

			OSVALD
		In Paris, after my last visit home.  I began to have these - pains - in my head.

			MRS ALVING
		Paris...

			OSVALD
		I've had headaches ever since I was little, so I didn't think they were -

			MRS ALVING
		Yes...?

			OSVALD
		They got worse.  I couldn't work.  I tried to start a new painting, a big canvas, but I couldn't focus my thoughts...it was as if something was paralysing my mind.  I had no strength, everything swam round and round.  In the end I sent for a doctor.

			MRS ALVING
		And?  (He does not reply.)

			OSVALD
		He asked me questions.

			MRS ALVING
		Questions?  What about?
			OSVALD
		About everything, from when I was small, my life as a student in Paris, my life now.

			MRS ALVING
		Did he say what was wrong?

Silence.

			OSVALD
		He told me that I was more or less finished.  Eaten out, from the time I was born.  Vermoulu was the word he used.  Worm-eaten.

			MRS ALVING
		(Tensely)  What was that supposed to mean?!

			OSVALD
		I didn't understand.  I asked him to be more specific.  He said - he said...

			MRS ALVING
		What?

			OSVALD
		That the sins of the father are visited upon the children.

			MRS ALVING
		(Rises slowly)  The father?

			OSVALD
		I almost hit him in the face!

MRS ALVING moves away across the room.

			OSVALD
		Can you imagine?  I told him `That's impossible!'  He still wouldn't believe me, the filthy old cynic.  I had to show him your letters!  I sat down with him and translated all the parts about father to prove that it was impossible, that my father was beyond reproach.

			MRS ALVING
		What did he say then?

			OSVALD
		He had to admit that he was wrong.  That's when I realised.  The truth.  The unbelievable.  That the life I'd been living with my friends... that made me come alive...was too much for me.

He collapses, hiding his face.  MRS ALVING paces in anguish.  He looks up.

			OSVALD
		If only it were inherited - not my own fault!  But to throw away a life for some trivial moment...to lose my health, any chance of happiness...there was such possibility...!
	
			MRS ALVING
		No.  No, dearest.  It's not as bad as you think.

			OSVALD
		You don't know.  (Jumps up)  And what I've done to you!  I almost wish you didn't care for me so much.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, Osvald, my  lovely boy.  You're all I have in the world.  You're all I've wanted, will ever want.

			OSVALD
		(Kisses her hands)  I know...now that I'm here, I know.  It makes it...we won't talk any more, not today...I can't bear to think of it for long.  Is there something to drink?

			MRS ALVING
		Now?  What do you want?

			OSVALD
		Anything - cold punch, anything...

			MRS ALVING
		But Osvald -

			OSVALD
		Don't Mother.  I must have something - anything.  I can't bear thinking!  (He goes into the conservatory.)  It's so dark in here!

MRS ALVING crosses, pulls the bell ring.

			OSVALD
		This interminable rain.  In all my visits home I never once remember seeing the sun.

			MRS ALVING
		You're not thinking of leaving?

			OSVALD
		(Sighs deeply)  I'm not thinking of anything.  I can't think.

			REGINE
		(Enters from dining room.)  You rang, Ma'am?
			MRS ALVING
		Yes.  Bring in the lamp.

			REGINE
		Right away, I've just lit it.  (Goes.)

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald.  You won't keep anything from me?

			OSVALD
		Haven't I told you enough?

REGINE comes in with the lamp.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, and Regine, bring us a half bottle of champagne.

			REGINE
		Yes Ma'am.  (Goes.)

			OSVALD
		Thank you, I knew you wouldn't refuse me.

			MRS ALVING
		I won't refuse you anything.

			OSVALD
		Do you mean that, Mother?  Do you mean it?

		(He holds her face.)

		Do you mean that you won't refuse me anything?

			MRS ALVING
		Dearest -

			OSVALD
		Sssh.

REGINE returns with the wine on a tray.

			REGINE
Shall I open it?

			OSVALD
		No thanks, I'll do it.  (REGINE goes out.)

			MRS ALVING
		What did you mean?  What mustn't I refuse you?

			OSVALD
		First a glass.

He fills a glass.

			MRS ALVING
		Thank you, no, not for me.

He drinks, refills his glass, sits at the table.

			MRS ALVING
		Well?

			OSVALD
		(Without looking at her)  You seemed very quiet at lunch, you and Manders.

			MRS ALVING
		Oh?

			OSVALD
		(Silence)  Tell me, what do you think of Regine, isn't she splendid?

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, you don't know her as well as I do.

			OSVALD
		You must admit her fine looks.

			MRS ALVING
		Regine has a great many faults.  I should have brought her into the house sooner.

			OSVALD
		What does that matter?  (He drinks.)

			MRS ALVING
		At all events, I'm responsible for her.  I wouldn't want her to be hurt.

			OSVALD
		(Jumps up)  But can't you see - you must see, she's my only hope!

			MRS ALVING
		(Rising)  What do you mean?

			OSVALD
		I can't bear to be on my own.

			MRS ALVING
		You have me.

			OSVALD
		Yes.  That's why I came home.  But it won't work.  I can't live here.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald!

			OSVALD
		I have to live my own way.  I must got in any case.  I don't want you to see it.

			MRS ALVING
		But if you're ill -
			OSVALD
		If it were just the illness I'd stay - God knows, you're the nearest thing I have in all the world!

			MRS ALVING
		I am, aren't I?

			OSVALD
		(Pacing restlessly)  Can't you see, it's all the rest!  Waste...remorse...feeling so......  And I'm afraid.  I'm frightened.

			MRS ALVING
		Darling, why?

			OSVALD
		I don't know.  I can't talk about it.

MRS ALVING crosses and rings.

			OSVALD
		What are you doing?

			MRS ALVING
		Making you happy.  I won't have you like this.  (To REGINE)  More champagne, Regine - a big bottle.  (REGINE goes.)  You see, we know how to live here!

			OSVALD
		She's magnificent.  So healthy!

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, sit down.  I have to talk to you.

			OSVALD
		(Sits)  There's something I must put right, with Regine.

			MRS ALVING
		Not now.

			OSVALD
		It's just a little - all quite innocent really.  It was when I was home last time.  She kept asking me about Paris. 

			MRS ALVING
		Paris?

			OSVALD
		She went on and on, it was exciting for her.  I asked her if she'd like to go and she blushed - I don't know why I said it.  Anyway, I asked her.

			MRS ALVING
		To go to Paris?

			OSVALD
		I forgot all about it!  Yesterday when I asked her if she was pleased I was back she reminded me.  She'd thought I meant it.  She's even been learning French.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, no -

			OSVALD
		Isn't she splendid?  I'd never really noticed before.  All that shining warmth and vitality - beauty...it was as if her arms were open, ready to take me in...

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, my dear?

			OSVALD
		I saw salvation, Mother.  She has the joy of life in her!

			MRS ALVING
		Joy?  You see salvation in that?  In joy?

REGINE enters with champagne.

			REGINE
		I had to go down to the cellar -

			OSVALD
		Get another glass, Regine - one for yourself.

			REGINE
		Me?  (She looks to MRS ALVING.)

			MRS ALVING
		Get it, Regine.  (REGINE goes.)

			OSVALD
		Look at the way she walks - so confident...alive ...

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, this mustn't happen.

			OSVALD
		Don't say any more.  It's settled.

REGINE returns with the glass.

			OSVALD
		Sit down, Regine.  You see, Mother, I never find it here.  Joy.

			MRS ALVING
		Not with me?

			OSVALD
		Not when I'm home...I know you can't understand that.
			MRS ALVING
		Perhaps I begin to.

			OSVALD
		It's to do with the joy of working, but no-one believes in that here.  Here work's a punishment, something to be endured.  Life is a burden, a pain to be suffered, something to be out of as soon as we can.

			MRS ALVING
		A vale of tears.  We certainly do our best to make it so.

			OSVALD
		But down there they don't believe that.  You go abroad, you find no-one thinks like that.  To be alive is a miracle, a blissful experience!  Haven't you seen it in my paintings?  Everything I've painted is full of light!  Sun... the sun...people radiant with joy, pleasure...

		I can't come back here.  It will kill me.

MRS ALVING rises.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, I must speak to you.  No - now.

			REGINE
		Shall I go?

			MRS ALVING
		Stay there, Regine.  I must tell you everything, both of you.

			OSVALD
		Manders is coming back - (MANDERS enters.)

			MANDERS
		We've had truly heat-warming prayers.  I am fully persuaded.  Engstrand is a fine man.  He is going to need some practical help with his Home for Seamen and Regine must move back with his where she belongs.

			REGINE
		No, thanks!

			MANDERS
		(Notices her)  What are you doing here, girl?  And with a glass in your hand!

			REGINE
		(Puts it down quickly)  Beg your pardon, Mr Manders.

			OSVALD
		Regine will be coming away with me, Pastor.
			MANDERS
		What?!

			OSVALD
		As my wife, if she will agree to it.

			MANDERS
		Dear God in Heaven!

			REGINE
		It wasn't me, Mr Manders.

			OSVALD
		Or, if I stay, she'll stay.

			REGINE
		Here

			MANDERS
		Mrs Alving, is this true?

			MRS ALVING
		It won't happen, any of it.  She will neither leave with you, nor stay with you.

			OSVALD
		Why not?

			MRS ALVING
		Because I shall tell you the truth.

			MANDERS
		No...no, Mrs Alving!  You can't do that.

			MRS ALVING
		Yes I can.  And without harming anyone, I see that now.

			OSVALD
		Mother, what is it?

			REGINE
		(Listens)  Mrs Alving - listen!  What are they shouting for?  (She goes to the conservatory and looks out.)

			OSVALD
		(Moves to the window)  What is that light in the sky?

			REGINE
		It's the orphanage!  It's burning!

MRS ALVING hurries to the window.

			MRS ALVING
		Burning?

			MANDERS
		No, no, impossible...I've just come back from there...

			OSVALD
		No, not my father's Refuge!  (He rushes out through the garden door.)

			MRS ALVING
		My shawl, Regine - quickly!

			MANDERS
		No!  Oh, this is dreadful!...this is God's judgement on a sinful house!

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, I daresay - come, Regine...

She and REGINE go quickly.

			MANDERS
		(His voice trembling)  And no insurance!  We're not insured!...

He follows them out.

ACT THREE

The same room, with the doors open.  The lamp, alight, is upon the table.  Outside the window, a dark red glow in the distance.  MRS ALVING, her head draped in a large shawl, stands in the conservatory, gazing.  REGINE, a shawl about her shoulders, stands behind her.

			MRS ALVING
		It's finished.  Burnt to the ground.

			REGINE
		The basement's still alight!

			MRS ALVING
		Why doesn't he come in...there's nothing left to save!

			REGINE
		Shall I take him his coat?

			MRS ALVING
		No, I'll go and find him.

She takes the coat, goes into the garden.  MANDERS enters separately.

			MANDERS
		Where is she, where is Mrs Alving?

			REGINE
		In the garden.

			MANDERS
		What a dreadful night!

			REGINE
		It's awful, Pastor.  Terrible.

			MANDERS
		Terrible.

			REGINE
		How could it have happened?

			MANDERS
		How on earth should I know?  Bad enough that your father keeps -

			REGINE
		My father - ?

			MANDERS
		Getting me all confused.

			ENGSTRAND
		(Enters)  Pastor -

			MANDERS
		Stop following me, man!
			ENGSTRAND
		God help me, sir, but I have to.  Lord help us, but this is a terrible mess, Pastor.

			MANDERS
		Be quiet.

			REGINE
		Mess?

			ENGSTRAND
		It was on account of the prayer meeting.  (Sotto voce)  We've caught the old devil now, girl.  (Aloud)  And to think it was all my fault that it's Pastor Manders' fault!

			MANDERS
		My fault?  Engstrand, I -

			ENGSTRAND
		But it was you, sir.  Nobody but you was messing about with those candles.

			MANDERS
		So you keep saying, so you keep saying.  I don't even remember having a candle in my hand.

			ENGSTRAND
		I saw you, sir.  The Pastor took the candle like this...and pinched it out with his fingers, like this ...and flicked the tip of the wick down - like this.  Down among the shavings.

			MANDERS
		You saw me do that?

			ENGSTRAND
		As plain as day.

			MANDERS
		I don't understand.  I don't do that.  I never snuff candles with my fingers.

			ENGSTRAND
		I thought it looked pretty casual myself.  Could it really have caused all that damage, Pastor?  All that destruction?

MANDERS walks restlessly.

			ENGSTRAND
		(Keeping pace with him.)  And your Reverence without insurance.  You hadn't insured the place, had you?  (To REGINE)  No insurance.  (MANDERS swerves but ENGSTRAND dogs him.)  No insurance and then to go over and set the place on fire.  God help us, what a terrible misfortune.
			MANDERS
		It is.  It is indeed.

			ENGSTRAND
		And to happen to a charitable institution set up to serve all the community - oh, Pastor, think of the newspapers - oh, they'll come down hard on you.

			MANDERS
		D'you think I don't know that!  All the insinuations - innuendos - I can't even bear to think about it.

			MRS ALVING
		(Enters)  Osvald is standing over the embers.  I can't get him to move.

			MANDERS
		There you are, Mrs Alving!

			MRS ALVING
		Ah, Pastor!  So you got out of making your speech?

			MANDERS
		Not at all.  The occasion should have been a glorious one, but the Lord has decreed otherwise.  We bow to His will.

			MRS ALVING
		(Low)  I'm not sorry it's happened.

			MANDERS
		Not sorry?  How can you say such a thing?

			MRS ALVING
		The reasons for the orphanage were not as they should have been, don't you agree?

			MANDERS
		Nonetheless...

			MRS ALVING
		Don't you?

			MANDERS
		Nonetheless it is a tragedy.

			MRS ALVING
		We must discuss the business implications - Engstrand, did you want something?

			ENGSTRAND
		I was waiting for the Pastor.

			MRS ALVING
		Then do sit down.

			ENGSTRAND
		That's all right, I can stand.
			MRS ALVING
		(To MANDERS)  You'll be leaving by the steamer tonight?

			MANDERS
		Yes, in an hour's time.

			MRS ALVING
		I want no more of all this.  Take the papers with you and decide what is to be done, I've other things to think about.

			MANDERS
		Mrs Alving -

			MRS ALVING
		I shall be sending you power of attorney.  Settle everything as you wish.

			MANDERS
		Are you sure?  You realize that the terms of the original bequest will need to be completely altered?

			MRS ALVING
		Then do it.

			MANDERS
		We could make the property over to the parish - the land could most certainly be put to use.  Then there's the interest on the money in the ban k which could be employed to benefit some charity in the town.

			MRS ALVING
		Whatever you say, it's all the same to me.

			ENGSTRAND
		There is the seaman's home, sir.

			MANDER
		Oh yes, that's a possibility - of course it will have to be gone into.

			ENGSTRAND
		(Sotto voce)  Oh, will it?  To hell with that.

			MANDERS
		(Sighs)  And there is, of course, the question - will it be possible for me to undertake these obligations?  Public opinion may force me to withdraw.  It all depends on the results of the official enquiry.

			MRS ALVING
		How do you mean?

			MANDERS
		Who knows what the results will be.
			MRS ALVING
		(Puzzled)  I'm sorry?  Results?  There has been an accident.  A fire - an accident.

			MANDERS
		That's as may be.  There will still be those who seek to cast blame.

			MRS ALVING
		That would be harsh - unworthy.

			MANDERS
		The enquiry may decide that I, as the senior adviser, have failed in responsibility -

			ENGSTRAND
		Never.  (He sidles up to MANDERS.)  Not with old Engstrand here at your side.  (Lowers his voice.)  Engstrand's not the man to desert a worthy benefactor in his hour of need, so to speak.

			MANDERS
		But my dear man, you -

			ENGSTRAND
		Jakob Engstrand will be your guardian angel.  Let him take the burden.

			MANDERS
		Oh no.  No, no, no - that I could not allow.

			ENGSTRAND
		It's how it's going to be, to protect a fine man who's irreplaceable.  Let a poor sinner step forward - Lord knows it won't be the first time he's taken the blame for another.

			MANDERS
		(Grabs ENGSTRAND'S hand)  Jakob!  You are that rare man - a true Christian!  Take my word, you shall have all the help you need to establish your Seaman's Refuge, count on me. 

ENGSTRAND makes to reply, seems overcome by feeling.  MANDERS puts his pack over his shoulder.  He takes MRS ALVING'S hands.

			MANDERS
		I must make my farewells.  God be with you.  (To ENGSTRAND)  We'll journey together.

			ENGSTRAND
		(At the dining room door)  Regine!  Come on, girl, get yourself ready!  (Lower)  There's a life in town for you softer than a duck's nest, take my word!

			REGINE
		Oh merci I'm sure - not likely!  (Fetching MANDERS' coat and umbrella.)

			ENGSTRAND
		You'll be snugger than a yolk in a pullet's egg.

			REGINE
		Let go!

They tussle.  She swipes at him and pulls away.

			MANDERS
		Goodbye to you, Mrs Alving.  May peace and order soon dwell again under this roof.

			MRS ALVING
		Goodbye.

She turns quickly, goes into the conservatory as she sees OSVALD coming.  ENGSTRAND and REGINE help MANDERS into his coat, muttering to each other behind his back.  She spits in his face.

			ENGSTRAND
		(Genial in front of MANDERS)  Well, goodbye, girl.  If you're ever in any trouble, you know where to find me.  (Low)  Little Harbour Street, all right?  (To MRS ALVING and OSVALD)  I thought you'd like to know.  The name of my home for seafaring men will be `Captain Alving's Home for Seamen'.  If the opportunity to run this house as I would wish is afforded me, then I promise you that establishment will be worthy of his great and beloved name.  God bless the Captain.

			MANDERS
		(At the door)  Yes, yes - come along, my dear Engstrand.  Goodbye - goodbye!

He and ENGSTRAND go.

			OSVALD
		What did he mean?  What house?

			MRS ALVING
		A sort of home.  He wants to set up a refuge, with the Pastor.

			OSVALD
		It'll burn, the same as this.

			MRS ALVING
		Why do you say that?

			OSVALD
		It'll all burn...there'll be nothing left in father's memory.  I'm burning.
REGINE stares at him, perturbed.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald!  My dear, you shouldn't have stayed out there all this time.

OSVALD sits at the table.

			MRS ALVING
		Let me dry your face, you're dripping wet!

OSVALD gazes into space.

			MRS ALVING
		Are you tired?  Perhaps you should go to bed and get some sleep.

			OSVALD
		Sleep?  Sleep...(Dully)  I'll sleep soon enough.

			REGINE
		Is Mr Alving ill?

			OSVALD
		Shut the doors!

			MRS ALVING
		Shut the doors, Regine.

REGINE shuts the doors, remains standing.  MRS ALVING takes off her shawl.  REGINE does likewise.

			MRS ALVING
		(Sits by OSVALD)  I'll sit with you.

			OSVALD
		Please.  Regine must stay here too, I want her close to me all the time.  You'll help me, won't you, Regine?

			REGINE
		Sorry?

			OSVALD
		(To REGINE)  When I need it.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, I'm here.

			OSVALD
		You?  (Smiling)  No, Mother, you wouldn't help me with this.  (With a sad laugh)  Ha...no, not you...although it should be you.  Regine...

			REGINE
		Yes, Mr Alving?

			OSVALD
		Look at me.  Why is she so awkward - can't you call me by my name, my Christian name?

			REGINE
		I don't think Mrs Alving would like it.

			MRS ALVING
		You may have every right to soon Regine.  Please, come and sit down with us.

After a moment, REGINE sits shyly across the table.  

			MRS ALVING
		And now, my poor troubled boy, I'm going to take this burden from you...

			OSVALD
		You?

			MRS ALVING
		...all the remorse, all the self-reproach you've been suffering.

			OSVALD
		You think you can do that?!

			MRS ALVING
		Ssh.  

		(She walks.)

			MRS ALVING  (Cont'd)
		Earlier on, when you were speaking of the joy of life, a door opened.  Suddenly I saw the whole of my life, everything that's happened, in a new way.  It was as if the room suddenly filled with light.

			OSVALD
		What are you talking about?

			MRS ALVING
		I wish you could have known your father when he was a young lieutenant.  He had such joy, so much life.

			OSVALD
		I know.

			MRS ALVING
		It was like a feast day just to stand and look at him...all that strength - energy.

She goes silent.

			OSVALD
		I remember.

			MRS ALVING
		But then you see, this child of joy, this free spirit was persuaded to make a life inside a dead world.  In a small town with nothing to do - nothing to amaze, intrigue, challenge the mind.  Nothing to inspire, provide purpose, not a friend of quality, not one colleague with dimension, imagination, understanding.  Nothing, no-one to engage him heart and soul.  Just a social position to maintain.  And distractions.

			OSVALD
		Distractions?  You're saying that he - ?

			MRS ALVING
		There was no way of life for him.  Nothing to satisfy that beautiful, dancing energy.

			OSVALD
		He had you.

			MRS ALVING
		(Flat)  Yes.  He had me.  His well-brought-up wife.  So drilled and trained in the idea of duty ...his duty...my duty...so steeped in notions of life as a long, bare road of stoical endurance that I made this house unbearable for your father.  He sought respite.  He went where there was light and warmth and what seemed to be a welcome.

			OSVALD
		You've never told me any of this.  Why?

			MRS ALVING
		You're his son.  You love him.

			OSVALD
		Why now?

			MRS ALVING
		(Slowly)  Because...because I've always known that your father was damaged.  Before you were born.

			OSVALD
		(Cries out)  Ahhh!

He leaps to his feet, goes to the window.

			MRS ALVING
		And I knew...as well...that Regine has as much right to be under this roof as my own son.  As her birthright.

			OSVALD
		(Turns)  Regine?

			REGINE
		(Jumps up)  Me?

			MRS ALVING
		As her birthright.

			OSVALD
		Regine?!

			REGINE
		What's all this?  Are you saying - are you telling me my mother was no better than she should be?
			MRS ALVING
		Your mother was not at fault.  She was a decent woman, Regine.

			REGINE
		Decent?  It doesn't sound like it - not if what you say is true, that I'm -

		I have wondered.  The way you've looked out for me, right from the beginning.  I thought it was because you liked me.

		I can't stay here, Madam.  I shall have to leave right away.

			MRS ALVING
		Is that what you really want?

			REGINE
		Yes!!

			MRS ALVING
		You can do as you wish, naturally.

			REGINE
		Does Pastor Manders know about this?

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, he knows about it.

			REGINE
		(Putting on her shawl)  Then I better see if I can catch the boat out of here, quick as I can.  I always get on with the Pastor, and I've as much right to the money as that filthy old carpenter.

			MRS ALVING
		As to money, you're welcome to it.

			REGINE
		(Looks at her sharply)  A bit late.  You could have raised me as a gentleman's daughter.  Oh, what the hell!  (She glances at the bottle of champagne.)  I'll get my glass of champagne out of life, you see if I don't.

			MRS ALVING
		If ever you need a home, you know where to find me.

			REGINE
		No, thanks.  Paster Manders will look after me ...if he doesn't I'm set up in Captain Alving's Refuge - plenty of pickings there!

			MRS ALVING
		Regine no - you'll be ruined!

			REGINE
		Who cares?  Adieu to the pair of you!  (Curtsies and goes.)

			OSVALD
		(Looking out of the window.)  Has she gone?

			MRS ALVING
		Yes.

			OSVALD
		It's insane.  All of it.

			MRS ALVING
		(Puts her hands on his shoulders.)  Has it upset you dreadfully?

			OSVALD
		About Father, you mean?

			MRS ALVING
		It's been a shock, I can see that.

			OSVALD
		Why should you think so?  I'm surprised, but what difference does it make?

			MRS ALVING
		(Stands back)  You don't mind?  That your father was so - unhappy?

			OSVALD
		I feel sympathy...as you would for anyone -

			MRS ALVING
		But nothing more...for your own father?

			OSVALD
		Father?  I never knew him!  All I remember is being made sick all over the floor.

			MRS ALVING
		That's awful.  But you are his child.

			OSVALD
		I don't know him.  I never did.  `The child should love the parent'?  Don't tell me you believe that superstition, you're usually so enlightened.  (Turns to her)  It's just an idea, no substance.

			MRS ALVING
		Like a ghost, you mean?  (She shudders.)

			OSVALD
		If you like.

			MRS ALVING
		Then Osvald, you don't love me either!

			OSVALD
		I do at least know you.

			MRS ALVING
		Is that all?

			OSVALD
		I know you care about me.  I'm grateful for that.  It's useful now that I'm ill.

			MRS ALVING
		It is, isn't it?  Oh, I'm almost grateful that you're ill, that you had to come home.  You're not really mine yet.  I still have to win you.

			OSVALD
		(Impatient)  Yes, yes, well, if you want to think of it that way.  I'm ill, Mother.  I can't be concerned - there's enough, just thinking about myself.

			MRS ALVING
		Don't worry, I'll take care of you.  I'll be a good nurse, I'll be quiet and patient -

			OSVALD
		And cheerful, I hope?

			MRS ALVING
		You're right.  Now tell me, have I taken away all that dreadful remorse and self-hatred and pain?

			OSVALD
		I'm still afraid.  Regine could have taken away the fright.

			MRS ALVING
		How?

			OSVALD
		Tell me, is it very late, Mother?

			MRS ALVING
		Nearly morning.  (Looks out through the conservatory)  There's the first light of dawn on the mountains.  It's going to be a fine day, Osvald.  You'll see the sun soon.

			OSVALD
		Good.  Oh, there's still so much to live for!

			MRS ALVING
		Of course there is.

			OSVALD
		Even if I can't work, I -

			MRS ALVING
		Oh my dearest but you will.  You'll work again.  Now that you're rid of all the anxiety and awful thoughts -

			OSVALD
		Yes.  Thank you for that.  There at least I'm free.  (He sits down on the sofa.)  Mother, I have to talk to you.

			MRS ALVING
		(Pushes an armchair close to him.)  Dearest?

			OSVALD
		By the time the sun is up you'll know everything.  Perhaps then I shan't be afraid.

			MRS ALVING
		Know what, dearest?  What shall I know?

			OSVALD
		You said earlier there was nothing in the world you wouldn't do for me.

			MRS ALVING
		Of course!

			OSVALD
		Did you mean it?

			MRS ALVING
		You know you can depend on me - you're all I have!

			OSVALD
		Then - I know you're strong.  I just want you to sit there, very quietly, while I tell you.

			MRS ALVING
		Tell me what?

			OSVALD
		You mustn't scream, or shriek.  Promise me that you won't shriek.  We'll sit here quietly together, and we'll simply talk.  Promise me?

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, I promise - just tell me!

			OSVALD
		You've got to understand.  All this talk of tiredness...not being able to work...those are just the symptoms.

			MRS ALVING
		Of what?

			OSVALD
		Of the illness.

			MRS ALVING
		What illness?

			OSVALD
		The illness that I inherited.  (Points to his head.)  Here.

			MRS ALVING
		(Whispers)  No, Osvald...no...

			OSVALD
		Don't, I tell you - don't scream.  It's sitting - in here - waiting.  It can attack at any time.

			MRS ALVING
		But that's horrible.

			OSVALD
		Please...don't get excited, I can't bear it.  Now you know how it is with me.

			MRS ALVING
		(Jumps up)  No, it's not true, Osvald, it can't be, I won't believe it!

			OSVALD
		I've already had an attack...but then it went away.  All that's left is the fright and that never goes.  Now you know why I had to come home.

			MRS ALVING
		Because you were afraid.

			OSVALD
		Yes.  Because it's so disgusting - indescribable.  That is the unbearable part of it.  I could bear some - ordinary disease, even if I knew it was going to kill me.  I'm not so afraid of dying, though I want to live, Mother.

			MRS ALVING
		Yes, yes - oh you must, Osvald!

			OSVALD
		It's the thought of it.  Being helpless, dribbling like a child.  Having to be fed, lying in my own -

			MRS ALVING
		I'm here, darling.  I'm here to nurse you.

			OSVALD
		(Jumps up)  No!  The thought of it - lying for years...suppose you die first?  It might not kill me at once, the doctor said.  There would be some sort of...softening - of the brain.  (Smiles)  What a lovely expression.  It makes you think of velvet curtains...crimson...

			MRS ALVING
		(Screams)  Osvald!

			OSVALD
		(Up again, he paces the floor)  And now you've taken Regine from me.  If I had her, she'd help me.

			MRS ALVING
		(Goes to him)  I'll help you, you know I will.

			OSVALD
		After I recovered, he told me that...that the next time it would be...it would be the end for me.

			MRS ALVING
		That's heartless.  How could he?

			OSVALD
		I made him tell me.  I told him I had to make arrangements.

He takes out a small box, shows his mother.

			MRS ALVING
		What...what is it?

			OSVALD
		Morphine.  I've managed to collect twelve capsules.

			MRS ALVING
		Give it to me!

			OSVALD
		Not yet.  (Puts the box back in his pocket.)

			MRS ALVING
		I can't live through this.  I can't bear it.

			OSVALD
		You have to.  If Regine were here should would help me.  She would do it for me.  I knew she would.  Regine would do me this one last favour.

			MRS ALVING
		No!  Never!

			OSVALD
		If she saw me lying there helpless, worse than an infant...

			MRS ALVING
		No she wouldn't!

			OSVALD
		Oh yes.  Oh yes she would.  Regine's full of life!  She wouldn't put up with nursing a drooling idiot, not Regine.

			MRS ALVING
		Then I thank God she's not here.

			OSVALD
		So, d'you see, that leaves you.

			MRS ALVING
		No.

			OSVALD
		Who else?

			MRS ALVING
		But I'm your mother!

			OSVALD
		Yes.

			MRS ALVING
		I gave you life...

			OSVALD
		I never asked you for it.  What is this life you've given me?  I don't want it...take it back!

			MRS ALVING
		Oh, God help me...help me!  (She runs out into the hall.)

			OSVALD
		Where are you going?  Don't leave me!

			MRS ALVING
		(In the hall)  To fetch the Doctor...no, let me!

			OSVALD
		(In the hall)  Don't leave.  (Locks door)  I don't want anyone here...
			MRS ALVING
		(Comes into the room)  Osvald...Osvald, my dear...oh, my son...

			OSVALD
		(Follows her back from the hall)  Don't you love me?  Don't you care that I feel like this?  That I'm afraid?

MRS ALVING breathes deep, masters her feelings.

			MRS ALVING
		You know I do.

She gives him her hand.

			OSVALD
		Then you promise?

			MRS ALVING
		If ever it's necessary.  But it won't be necessary ...I don't believe it, because it's impossible.

			OSVALD
		Well, we can hope so.  In the meantime we'll just live together for as long as we can.  Thank you, Mother.

He settles in the armchair.  The dawn is breaking, the lamp still alight on the table.

			MRS ALVING
		You feel better now?

			OSVALD
		Yes.

			MRS ALVING
		(Bends over him.)  It's all been a terrible nightmare.  A delusion.  Too much excitement, but see...you're home now.  You can rest here now, at home with your own mother. Anything you want is yours, just as it was when you were little.  There.  You see, all over.  No more pain - you see how quickly it went away, I knew it would.  Osvald - the sun!  We're going to have a lovely day!

		Look, now you can really see your home!

She crosses to the table and puts out the lamp.  As the sun rises glaciers and peaks shine brilliantly in the distance in the morning sun.  OSVALD sits motionless, facing downstage, away from the view.

			OSVALD
		(Abruptly)  Mother, give me the sun.

MRS ALVING, by the table, turns to him, startled.

			MRS ALVING
		What did you say?

			OSVALD
		(Repeats in a dulll monotone)  The sun.  The sun.

MRS ALVING moves across to him.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald, what's the matter?

OSVALD seems to shrink in the chair.  He slumps, as there is no expression at all in his face.  His eyes stare ahead without seeing.

			MRS ALVING
		(Very frightened)  What is it?  (She screams)  Osvald!  What's wrong with you?

She drops on her knees by his side, and starts to shake him.

			MRS ALVING
		Osvald!  Osvald, look at me...look at me, don't you know me?

			OSVALD
		(In the same, dull voice)  The sun - the sun.

MRS ALVING jumps up in agony, tearing at her hair in extremity, screaming.

			MRS ALVING
		No! - I can't bear this...I can't bear this...!

Her voice drops to a whisper.

			MRS ALVING
		I can't bear this...

		No...where is...

She searches for the morphine.

			MRS ALVING
		Ah!

She finds the bottle but steps back in horror.

			MRS ALVING
		(Screams)  No, no!...yes...no, no...no!

She stands back from him, tearing at her hair, shuddering with horror.

			OSVALD
		The sun.  The sun.

THE END