OSWALD. Yes. What can a fellow do out of doors in this eternal rain? But I hear dinner is ready. That’s capital! REGINA. [_With a parcel, from the dining-room._] A parcel has come for you, Mrs. Alving. [_Hands it to her._ MRS. ALVING. [_With a glance at MR. MANDERS._] No doubt copies of the ode for to-morrow’s ceremony. MANDERS. H’m—— REGINA. And dinner is ready. MRS. ALVING. Very well. We will come directly. I will just—— [_Begins to open the parcel._ REGINA. [_To_ OSWALD.] Would Mr. Alving like red or white wine? OSWALD. Both, if you please. REGINA. _Bien._ Very well, sir. [_She goes into the dining-room._ OSWALD. I may as well help to uncork it. [_He also goes into the dining-room, the door of which swings half open behind him._ MRS. ALVING. [_Who has opened the parcel._] Yes, I thought so. Here is the Ceremonial Ode, Pastor Manders. MANDERS. [_With folded hands._] With what countenance I am to deliver my discourse to-morrow——! MRS. ALVING. Oh, you will get through it somehow. MANDERS. [_Softly, so as not to be heard in the dining-room._] Yes; it would not do to provoke scandal. MRS. ALVING. [_Under her breath, but firmly._] No. But _then_ this long, hateful comedy will be ended. From the day after to-morrow, I shall act in every way as though he who is dead had never lived in this house. There shall be no one here but my boy and his mother. [_From the dining-room comes the noise of a chair overturned, and at the same moment is heard_: REGINA. [_Sharply, but in a whisper._] Oswald! take care! are you mad? Let me go! MRS. ALVING. [_Starts in terror._] Ah——! [_She stares wildly towards the half-open door._ OSWALD _is heard laughing and humming. A bottle is uncorked._ MANDERS. [_Agitated._] What can be the matter? What is it, Mrs. Alving? MRS. ALVING. [_Hoarsely._] Ghosts! The couple from the conservatory—risen again! MANDERS. Is it possible! Regina——? Is _she_——? MRS. ALVING. Yes. Come. Not a word——! [_She seizes_ PASTOR MANDERS _by the arm, and walks unsteadily towards the dining-room._ ----- Footnote 11: This and other French words used, by Regina are in that language in the original. Footnote 12: