Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/307

 Oswald.

[Stares indifferently in front of him.] Thanks, mother.

Mrs. Alving.

Are you not tired, Oswald? Should you like to sleep?

Oswald.

[Nervously.] No, no—not to sleep! I never sleep. I only pretend to. [Sadly.] That will come soon enough.

Mrs. Alving.

[Looking sorrowfully at him.] Yes, you really are ill, my blessëd boy.

Regina.

[Eagerly.] Is Mr. Alving ill?

Oswald.

[Impatiently.] Oh, do shut all the doors! This killing dread

Mrs. Alving.

Close the doors, Regina.

[Regina shuts them and remains standing by the hall door. Mrs. Alving takes her shawl off. Regina does the same. Mrs. Alving draws a chair across to Oswald's, and sits by him.

Mrs. Alving.

There now! I am going to sit beside you

Oswald.

Yes, do. And Regina shall stay here too.