Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/313

 the country and wear myself out nursing sick people.

Oswald.

Not even one who is so near to you?

Regina.

No, that I can't. A poor girl must make the best of her young days, or she'll be left out in the cold before she knows where she is. And I, too, have the joy of life in me, Mrs. Alving!

Mrs. Alving.

Unfortunately, you have. But don't throw yourself away, Regina.

Regina.

Oh, what must be, must be. If Oswald takes after his father, I take after my mother, I daresay.—May I ask, ma'am, if Pastor Manders knows all this about me?

Mrs. Alving.

Pastor Manders knows all about it.

Regina.

[Busied in putting on her shawl.] Well then, I'd better make haste and get away by this steamer. The Pastor is such a nice man to deal with; and I certainly think I've as much right to a little of that money as he has—that brute of a carpenter.

Mrs. Alving.

You are heartily welcome to it, Regina.

Regina.

[Looks hard at her.] I think you might have