Oswald! You oughtn’t to have remained so long down there, my poor boy. OSWALD. [_Sits down by the table._] I almost think you are right. MRS. ALVING. Let me dry your face, Oswald; you are quite wet. [_She dries his face with her pocket-handkerchief._ OSWALD. [_Stares indifferently in front of him._] Thanks, mother. MRS. ALVING. Are you not tired, Oswald? Should you like to sleep? OSWALD. [_Nervously._] No, no—not to sleep! I never sleep. I only pretend to. [_Sadly._] That will come soon enough. MRS. ALVING. [_Looking sorrowfully at him._] Yes, you really are ill, my blessëd boy. REGINA. [Eagerly.] Is Mr. Alving ill? OSWALD. [_Impatiently._] Oh, do shut all the doors! This killing dread—— MRS. ALVING. Close the doors, Regina. [_REGINA shuts them and remains standing by the hall door. MRS. ALVING takes her shawl off. REGINA does the same. MRS. ALVING draws a chair across to OSWALD’S, and sits by him._ MRS. ALVING. There now! I am going to sit beside you—— OSWALD. Yes, do. And Regina shall stay here too. Regina shall be with me always. You will come to the rescue, Regina, won’t you? REGINA. I don’t understand—— MRS. ALVING. To the rescue? OSWALD. Yes—when the need comes. MRS. ALVING. Oswald, have you not your mother to come to the rescue? OSWALD. You? [_Smiles._] No, mother; _that_ rescue you will never bring me. [_Laughs sadly._] You! ha ha! [_Looks earnestly at her._] Though, after all, who ought to do it if not you? [_Impetuously._] Why can’t you say “thou” to me, Regina?[14] Why do’n’t you call me “Oswald”? REGINA. [_Softly._] I don’t think Mrs. Alving would like it. MRS. ALVING. You shall have leave to, presently. And meanwhile sit over here beside us. [_REGINA seats herself demurely and hesitatingly at the other side of the table._ MRS. ALVING. And now, my poor suffering boy, I am going to take the burden off your mind—— OSWALD. You, mother? MRS. ALVING. ——all the gnawing remorse and self-reproach you speak of. OSWALD. And you think you can do that? MRS. ALVING.