Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/229

 Oswald.

Yes; or with his children and his children's mother.

Manders. [Starts; clasps his hands.] But, good heavens

Oswald. Well?

Manders. Lives with—his children's mother!

Oswald.

Yes. Would you have him turn his children's mother out of doors?

Manders.

Then it is illicit relations you are talking of! Irregular marriages, as people call them!

Oswald.

I have never noticed anything particularly irregular about the life these people lead.

Manders.

But how is it possible that a—a young man or young woman with any decency of feeling can endure to live in that way?—in the eyes of all the world!

Oswald.

What are they to do? A poor young artist—a poor girl—marriage costs a great deal. What are they to do?

Manders.

What are they to do? Let me tell you, Mr.