was a broken-down man before you were born. OSWALD. [Softly.] Ah--! [He rises and walks away to the window.] MRS. ALVING. And then; day after day, I dwelt on the one thought that by rights Regina should be at home in this house--just like my own boy. OSWALD. [Turning round quickly.] Regina--! REGINA. [Springs up and asks, with bated breath.] I--? MRS. ALVING. Yes, now you know it, both of you. OSWALD. Regina! REGINA. [To herself.] So mother was that kind of woman. MRS. ALVING. Your mother had many good qualities, Regina. REGINA. Yes, but she was one of that sort, all the same. Oh, I've often suspected it; but--And now, if you please, ma'am, may I be allowed to go away at once? MRS. ALVING. Do you really wish it, Regina? REGINA. Yes, indeed I do. MRS. ALVING. Of course you can do as you like; but-- OSWALD. [Goes towards REGINA.] Go away now? Your place is here. REGINA. _Merci_, Mr. Alving!--or now, I suppose, I may say Oswald. But I can tell you this wasn't at all what I expected. MRS. ALVING. Regina, I have not been frank with you-- REGINA. No, that you haven't indeed. If I'd known that Oswald was an invalid, why--And now, too, that it can never come to anything serious between us--I really can't stop out here in the country and wear myself out nursing sick people. OSWALD. Not even one who is so near to you? REGINA. No, that I can't. A poor girl must make the best of her young days, or she'll be left out in the cold before she knows where she is. And I, too, have the joy of life in me, Mrs. Alving! MRS. ALVING. Unfortunately, you leave. But don't throw yourself away, Regina.