Don’t refuse me, mother. Do be kind, now! I _must_ have something to wash down all these gnawing thoughts. [_Goes into the conservatory._] And then——it’s so dark here! [_MRS. ALVING pulls a bell-rope on the right._] And this ceaseless rain! It may go on week after week, for months together. Never to get a glimpse of the sun! I can’t recollect ever having seen the sun shine all the times I’ve been at home. MRS. ALVING. Oswald—you are thinking of going away from me. OSWALD. H’m—[_Drawing a heavy breath._]—I’m not thinking of anything. I _cannot_ think of anything! [_In a low voice._] I let thinking alone. REGINA. [_From the dining-room._] Did you ring, ma’am? MRS. ALVING. Yes; let us have the lamp in. REGINA. Yes, ma’am. It’s ready lighted. [_Goes out._ MRS. ALVING. [_Goes across to OSWALD._] Oswald, be frank with me. OSWALD. Well, so I am, mother. [_Goes to the table._] I think I have told you enough. [_REGINA brings the lamp and sets it upon the table._ MRS. ALVING. Regina, you may bring us a small bottle of champagne. REGINA. Very well, ma’am. [_Goes out._ OSWALD. [_Puts his arm round MRS. ALVING’S neck._] That’s just what I wanted. I knew mother wouldn’t let her boy go thirsty. MRS. ALVING. My own, poor, darling Oswald; how could I deny you anything now? OSWALD. [_Eagerly._] Is that true, mother? Do you mean it? MRS. ALVING. How? What? OSWALD. That you couldn’t deny me anything. MRS. ALVING. My dear Oswald—— OSWALD. Hush! REGINA. [_Brings a tray with a half-bottle of champagne and two glasses, which she sets on the table._] Shall I open it? OSWALD. No, thanks. I will do it myself. [_REGINA goes out again._ MRS. ALVING. [_Sits down by the table._] What was it you meant—that I musn’t deny you? OSWALD. [_Busy opening the bottle._] First let us have a glass—or two. [_The cork pops; he pours wine into one glass, and is about to pour it into the other._ MRS. ALVING. [_Holding her hand over it._] Thanks; not for me. OSWALD. Oh! won’t you? Then I will! [_He empties the glass, fills, and empties it again; then he sits down by the table._ MRS. ALVING. [_In expectancy._] Well?