[_Walks away across the room._] The sins of the fathers—— OSWALD. [_Smiles sadly._] Yes; what do you think of that? Of course I assured him that such a thing was out of the question. But do you think he gave in? No, he stuck to it; and it was only when I produced your letters and translated the passages relating to father—— MRS. ALVING. But _then_——? OSWALD. Then of course he had to admit that he was on the wrong track; and so I learned the truth—the incomprehensible truth! I ought not to have taken part with my comrades in that light-hearted, glorious life of theirs. It had been too much for my strength. So I had brought it upon myself! MRS. ALVING. Oswald! No, no; do not believe it! OSWALD. No other explanation was possible, he said. _That’s_ the awful part of it. Incurably ruined for life—by my own heedlessness! All that I meant to have done in the world—I never dare think of it again—I’m not _able_ to think of it. Oh! if I could only live over again, and undo all I have done! [_He buries his face in the sofa._ MRS. ALVING. [_Wrings her hands and walks, in silent struggle, backwards and forwards._] OSWALD. [_After a while, looks up and remains resting upon his elbow._] If it had only been something inherited—something one wasn’t responsible for! But this! To have thrown away so shamefully, thoughtlessly, recklessly, one’s own happiness, one’s own health, everything in the world—one’s future, one’s very life——! MRS. ALVING. No, no, my dear, darling boy; this is impossible! [_Bends over him._] Things are not so desperate as you think. OSWALD. Oh, you don’t know——[_Springs up._] And then, mother, to cause you all this sorrow! Many a time I have almost wished and hoped that at bottom you didn’t care so very much about me. MRS. ALVING. I, Oswald? My only boy! You are all I have in the world! The only thing I care about! OSWALD. [_Seizes both her hands and kisses them._] Yes, yes, I see it. When I’m at home, I see it, of course; and that’s almost the hardest part for me.—But now you know the whole story; and now we won’t talk any more about it to-day. I daren’t think of it for long together. [_Goes up the room._] Get me something to drink, mother. MRS. ALVING. To drink? What do you want to drink now? OSWALD. Oh, anything you like. You have some cold punch in the house. MRS. ALVING. Yes, but my dear Oswald—— OSWALD.