Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/218

 Mrs. Alving.

No; I tell you plainly I should do nothing of the kind.

Manders.

Then I must tell you, Mrs. Alving—we are taking no small responsibility upon ourselves.

Mrs. Alving. Do you think we can do otherwise?

Manders.

No, that is just the point; we really cannot do otherwise. We ought not to expose ourselves to misinterpretation; and we have no right whatever to give offence to the weaker brethren.

Mrs. Alving. You, as a clergyman, certainly should not.

Manders.

I really think, too, we may trust that such an institution has fortune on its side; in fact, that it stands under a special providence.

Mrs. Alving. Let us hope so, Pastor Manders.

Manders. Then we will let it take its chance?

Mrs. Alving. Yes, certainly.

Manders.

Very well. So be it. [Makes a note.] Then—no insurance.