OSWALD. [_Without looking at her._] Tell me—I thought you and Pastor Manders seemed so odd—so quiet—at dinner to-day. MRS. ALVING. Did you notice it? OSWALD. Yes. H’m——[_After a short silence._] Tell me: what do you think of Regina? MRS. ALVING. What do I think? OSWALD. Yes; isn’t she splendid? MRS. ALVING. My dear Oswald, you don’t know her as I do—— OSWALD. Well? MRS. ALVING. Regina, unfortunately, was allowed to stay at home too long. I ought to have taken her earlier into my house. OSWALD. Yes, but isn’t she splendid to look at, mother? [_He fills his glass._ MRS. ALVING. Regina has many serious faults—— OSWALD. Oh, what does that matter? [_He drinks again._ MRS. ALVING. But I am fond of her, nevertheless, and I am responsible for her. I wouldn’t for all the world have any harm happen to her. OSWALD. [_Springs up._] Mother, Regina is my only salvation! MRS. ALVING. [_Rising._] What do you mean by that? OSWALD. I cannot go on bearing all this anguish of soul alone. MRS. ALVING. Have you not your mother to share it with you? OSWALD. Yes; that’s what I thought; and so I came home to you. But that will not do. I see it won’t do. I cannot endure my life here. MRS. ALVING. Oswald! OSWALD. I must live differently, mother. That is why I must leave you. I will not have you looking on at it. MRS. ALVING. My unhappy boy! But, Oswald, while you are so ill as this—— OSWALD. If it were only the illness, I should stay with you, mother, you may be sure; for you are the best friend I have in the world. MRS. ALVING. Yes, indeed I am, Oswald; am I not? OSWALD. [_Wanders restlessly about._] But it’s all the torment, the gnawing remorse—and then, the great, killing dread. Oh—that awful dread! MRS. ALVING. [_Walking after him._] Dread? What dread? What do you mean? OSWALD. Oh, you mustn’t ask me any more. I don’t know. I can’t describe it. MRS. ALVING. [_Goes over to the right and pulls the bell._] OSWALD. What is it you want? MRS. ALVING.