[_Sighs, looks for a moment out of the window, sets the room in order a little, and is about to go into the dining-room, but stops at the door with a half-suppressed cry._] Oswald, are you still at table? OSWALD. [_In the dining room._] I’m only finishing my cigar. MRS. ALVING. I thought you had gone for a little walk. OSWALD. In such weather as this? [_A glass clinks. MRS. ALVING leaves the door open, and sits down with her knitting on the sofa by the window._ OSWALD. Wasn’t that Pastor Manders that went out just now? MRS. ALVING. Yes; he went down to the Orphanage. OSWALD. H’m. [_The glass and decanter clink again._ MRS. ALVING. [_With a troubled glance._] Dear Oswald, you should take care of that liqueur. It is strong. OSWALD. It keeps out the damp. MRS. ALVING. Wouldn’t you rather come in here, to me? OSWALD. I mayn’t smoke in there. MRS. ALVING. You know quite well you may smoke cigars. OSWALD. Oh, all right then; I’ll come in. Just a tiny drop more first.—There! [_He comes into the room with his cigar, and shuts the door after him. A short silence._] Where has the pastor gone to? MRS. ALVING. I have just told you; he went down to the Orphanage. OSWALD. Oh, yes; so you did. MRS. ALVING. You shouldn’t sit so long at table, Oswald. OSWALD. [_Holding his cigar behind him._] But I find it so pleasant, mother. [_Strokes and caresses her._] Just think what it is for me to come home and sit at mother’s own table, in mother’s room, and eat mother’s delicious dishes. MRS. ALVING. My dear, dear boy! OSWALD. [_Somewhat impatiently, walks about and smokes._] And what else can I do with myself here? I can’t set to work at anything. MRS. ALVING. Why can’t you? OSWALD. In such weather as this? Without a single ray of sunshine the whole day? [_Walks up the room._] Oh, not to be able to work——! MRS. ALVING. Perhaps it was not quite wise of you to come home? OSWALD. Oh, yes, mother; I had to. MRS. ALVING. You know I would ten times rather forgo the joy of having you here, than let you—— OSWALD. [_Stops beside the table._] Now just tell me, mother: does it really make you so very happy to have me home again? MRS. ALVING.