Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/262

 Manders.

A prayer-meeting? Down at the Orphanage?

Engstrand.

Oh, if your Reverence doesn't think it proper

Manders.

Oh yes, I do; but—h'm—

Engstrand.

I've been in the habit of offering up a little prayer in the evenings, myself

Mrs. Alving.

Have you?

Engstrand.

Yes, every now and then—just a little edification, in a manner of speaking. But I'm a poor, common man, and have little enough gift, God help me!—and so I thought, as the Reverend Mr. Manders happened to be here, I'd

Manders.

Well, you see, Engstrand, I have a question to put to you first. Are you in the right frame of mind for such a meeting! Do you feel your conscience clear and at ease?

Engstrand.

Oh, God help us, your Reverence! we'd better not talk about conscience.

Manders.

Yes, that is just what we must talk about. What have you to answer?

Engstrand.

Why—a man's conscience—it can be bad enough now and then.