[_Springs up and paces the room._] And now you have taken Regina from me. If I could only have had her! She would have come to the rescue, I know. MRS. ALVING. [_Goes to him._] What do you mean by that, my darling boy? Is there any help in the world that I would not give you? OSWALD. When I got over my attack in Paris, the doctor told me that when it comes again—and it _will_ come—there will be no more hope. MRS. ALVING. He was heartless enough to—— OSWALD. I demanded it of him. I told him I had preparations to make——[_He smiles cunningly._] And so I had. [_He takes a little box from his inner breast pocket and opens it._] Mother, do you see this? MRS. ALVING. What is it? OSWALD. Morphia. MRS. ALVING. [_Looks at him horror-struck._] Oswald—my boy! OSWALD. I’ve scraped together twelve pilules—— MRS. ALVING. [_Snatches at it._] Give me the box, Oswald! OSWALD. Not yet, mother. [_He hides the box again in his pocket._ MRS. ALVING. I shall never survive this! OSWALD. It must be survived. Now if I’d had Regina here, I should have told her how things stood with me—and begged her to come to the rescue at the last. She would have done it. I know she would. MRS. ALVING. Never! OSWALD. When the horror had come upon me, and she saw me lying there helpless, like a little new-born baby, impotent, lost, hopeless—past all saving—— MRS. ALVING. Never in all the world would Regina have done this! OSWALD. Regina would have done it. Regina was so splendidly light-hearted. And she would soon have wearied of nursing an invalid like me. MRS. ALVING. Then heaven be praised that Regina is not here. OSWALD. Well then, it is you that must come to the rescue, mother. MRS. ALVING. [_Shrieks aloud._] I! OSWALD. Who should do it if not you? MRS. ALVING. I! your mother! OSWALD. For that very reason. MRS. ALVING. I, who gave you life! OSWALD. I never asked you for life. And what sort of a life have you given me? I will not have it! You shall take it back again! MRS. ALVING. Help! Help! [_She runs out into the hall._ OSWALD. [_Going after her._] Do not leave me! Where are you going?