Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/241

 cannot have been more than levity, Mrs. Alving; believe me, it cannot.

Mrs. Alving.

I soon knew what to believe. Mr. Alving had his way with the girl; and that connection had consequences, Mr. Manders.

Manders.

[As though petrified.] Such things in this house! in this house!

Mrs. Alving.

I had borne a great deal in this house. To keep him at home in the evenings, and at night, I had to make myself his boon companion in his secret orgies up in his room. There I have had to sit alone with him, to clink glasses and drink with him, and to listen to his ribald, silly talk. I have had to fight with him to get him dragged to bed

Manders.

[Moved.] And you were able to bear all this!

Mrs. Alving.

I had to bear it for my little boy's sake. But when the last insult was added; when my own servant-maid; then I swore to myself: This shall come to an end! And so I took the reins into my own hand—the whole control—over him and everything else. For now I had a weapon against him, you see; he dared not oppose me. It was then I sent Oswald away from home. He was nearly seven years old, and was beginning to observe and ask questions, as children do. That I could not bear. It seemed to me the child