[_Continuing._] How can the authorities tolerate such things! Allow them to go on in the light of day! [_Confronting_ MRS. ALVING.] Had I not cause to be deeply concerned about your son? In circles where open immorality prevails, and has even a sort of recognised position——! OSWALD. Let me tell you, sir, that I have been in the habit of spending nearly all my Sundays in one or two such irregular homes—— MANDERS. Sunday of all days! OSWALD. Isn’t that the day to enjoy one’s self? Well, never have I heard an offensive word, and still less have I witnessed anything that could be called immoral. No; do you know when and where I have come across immorality in artistic circles? MANDERS. No, thank heaven, I don’t! OSWALD. Well, then, allow me to inform you. I have met with it when one or other of our pattern husbands and fathers has come to Paris to have a look round on his own account, and has done the artists the honour of visiting their humble haunts. _They_ knew what was what. These gentlemen could tell us all about places and things we had never dreamt of. MANDERS. What! Do you mean to say that respectable men from home here would——? OSWALD. Have you never heard these respectable men, when they got home again, talking about the way in which immorality runs rampant abroad? MANDERS. Yes, no doubt—— MRS. ALVING. I have too. OSWALD. Well, you may take their word for it. They know what they are talking about! [_Presses his hands to his head._] Oh! that that great, free, glorious life out there should be defiled in such a way! MRS. ALVING. You mustn’t get excited, Oswald. It’s not good for you. OSWALD. Yes; you’re quite right, mother. It’s bad for me, I know. You see, I’m wretchedly worn out. I shall go for a little turn before dinner. Excuse me, Pastor: I know you can’t take my point of view; but I couldn’t help speaking out. [_He goes out by the second door to the right._ MRS. ALVING. My poor boy! MANDERS. You may well say so. Then this is what he has come to! [MRS. ALVING _looks at him silently._ MANDERS. [_Walking up and down._] He called himself the Prodigal Son. Alas! alas! [MRS. ALVING _continues looking at him._ MANDERS. And what do you say to all this? MRS. ALVING. I say that Oswald was right in every word. MANDERS.