MRS. ALVING. Of course they must be insured. MANDERS. Well, wait a moment, Mrs. Alving. Let us look into the matter a little more closely. MRS. ALVING. I have everything insured; buildings and movables and stock and crops. MANDERS. Of course you have—on your own estate. And so have I—of course. But here, you see, it is quite another matter. The Orphanage is to be consecrated, as it were, to a higher purpose. MRS. ALVING. Yes, but that’s no reason—— MANDERS. For my own part, I should certainly not see the smallest impropriety in guarding against all contingencies—— MRS. ALVING. No, I should think not. MANDERS. But what is the general feeling in the neighbourhood? You, of course, know better than I. MRS. ALVING. Well—the general feeling—— MANDERS. Is there any considerable number of people—really responsible people—who might be scandalised? MRS. ALVING. What do you mean by “really responsible people”? MANDERS. Well, I mean people in such independent and influential positions that one cannot help attaching some weight to their opinions. MRS. ALVING. There are several people of that sort here, who would very likely be shocked if—— MANDERS. There, you see! In town we have many such people. Think of all my colleague’s adherents! People would be only too ready to interpret our action as a sign that neither you nor I had the right faith in a Higher Providence. MRS. ALVING. But for your own part, my dear Pastor, you can at least tell yourself that—— MANDERS. Yes, I know—I know; my conscience would be quite easy, that is true enough. But nevertheless we should not escape grave misinterpretation; and that might very likely react unfavourably upon the Orphanage. MRS. ALVING. Well, in that case—— MANDERS. Nor can I entirely lose sight of the difficult—I may even say painful—position in which _I_ might perhaps be placed. In the leading circles of the town, people take a lively interest in this Orphanage. It is, of course, founded partly for the benefit of the town, as well; and it is to be hoped it will, to a considerable extent, result in lightening our Poor Rates. Now, as I have been your adviser, and have had the business arrangements in my hands, I cannot but fear that I may have to bear the brunt of fanaticism—— MRS. ALVING. Oh, you mustn’t run the risk of that. MANDERS.