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 should like it of all things." "Ah, well," I replied, "it might perhaps be managed"—or something like that.

Mrs. Alving.

And then?

Oswald.

Of course I had forgotten all about it; but the day before yesterday I happened to ask her whether she was glad I was to stay at home so long

Mrs. Alving.

Yes?

Oswald.

And then she gave me such a strange look, and asked, "But what's to become of my trip to Paris?"

Mrs. Alving.

Her trip!

Oswald.

And so it came out that she had taken the thing seriously; that she had been thinking of me the whole time, and had set to work to learn French

Mrs. Alving.

So that was why!

Oswald.

Mother—when I saw that fresh, lovely, splendid girl standing there before me—till then I had hardly noticed her—but when she stood there as though with open arms ready to receive me

Mrs. Alving.

Oswald!