Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/301

 to a benevolent Institution, that was to have been a blessing both to town and country, as the saying goes! The newspapers won't be for handling your Reverence very gently, I expect.

Manders.

No; that is just what I am thinking of. That is almost the worst of the whole matter. All the malignant attacks and imputations! Oh, it makes me shudder to think of it!

Mrs. Alving.

[Comes in from the garden.] He is not to be persuaded to leave the fire.

Manders.

Ah, there you are, Mrs. Alving.

Mrs. Alving.

So you have escaped your Inaugural Address, Pastor Manders.

Manders.

Oh, I should so gladly

Mrs. Alving.

[In an undertone.] It is all for the best. That Orphanage would have done no one any good.

Manders.

Do you think not?

Mrs. Alving.

Do you think it would?

Manders.

It is a terrible misfortune, all the same.