Ghosts, Henrik Ibsen [books to read for 13 year olds .txt] 📗

game? Engstrand Is what my game? Regina Looking hard at him. What are you going to fool Pastor Manders into doing, this time? Engstrand Sh! sh! Are you crazy? Do I want to fool Pastor Manders? Oh no! Pastor Manders has been far too good a friend to me for that. But I just wanted to say, you know⁠—that I mean to be off home again tonight. Regina The sooner the better, say I. Engstrand Yes, but I want you with me, Regina. Regina Open-mouthed. You want me⁠—? What are you talking about? Engstrand I want you to come home with me, I say. Regina Scornfully. Never in this world shall you get me home with you. Engstrand Oh, we’ll see about that. Regina Yes, you may be sure we’ll see about it! Me, that have been brought up by a lady like Mrs. Alving! Me, that am treated almost as a daughter here! Is it me you want to go home with you?⁠—to a house like yours? For shame! Engstrand What the devil do you mean? Do you set yourself up against your father, you hussy? Regina Mutters without looking at him. You’ve said often enough I was no concern of yours. Engstrand Pooh! Why should you bother about that⁠— Regina Haven’t you many a time sworn at me and called me a⁠—? Fi donc! Engstrand Curse me, now, if ever I used such an ugly word. Regina Oh, I remember very well what word you used. Engstrand Well, but that was only when I was a bit on, don’t you know? Temptations are manifold in this world, Regina. Regina Ugh! Engstrand And besides, it was when your mother was that aggravating⁠—I had to find something to twit her with, my child. She was always setting up for a fine lady. Mimics. “Let me go, Engstrand; let me be. Remember I was three years in Chamberlain Alving’s family at Rosenvold.” Laughs. Mercy on us! She could never forget that the Captain was made a Chamberlain while she was in service here. Regina Poor Mother! you very soon tormented her into her grave. Engstrand With a twist of his shoulders. Oh, of course! I’m to have the blame for everything. Regina Turns away; half aloud. Ugh⁠—! And that leg too! Engstrand What do you say, my child? Regina Pied de mouton. Engstrand Is that English, eh? Regina Yes. Engstrand Ay, ay; you’ve picked up some learning out here; and that may come in useful now, Regina. Regina After a short silence. What do you want with me in town? Engstrand Can you ask what a father wants with his only child? A’n’t I a lonely, forlorn widower? Regina Oh, don’t try on any nonsense like that with me! Why do you want me? Engstrand Well, let me tell you, I’ve been thinking of setting up in a new line of business. Regina Contemptuously. You’ve tried that often enough, and much good you’ve done with it. Engstrand Yes, but this time you shall see, Regina! Devil take me⁠— Regina Stamps. Stop your swearing! Engstrand Hush, hush; you’re right enough there, my girl. What I wanted to say was just this⁠—I’ve laid by a very tidy pile from this Orphanage job. Regina Have you? That’s a good thing for you. Engstrand What can a man spend his ha’pence on here in this country hole? Regina Well, what then? Engstrand Why, you see, I thought of putting the money into some paying speculation. I thought of a sort of a sailor’s tavern⁠— Regina Pah! Engstrand A regular high-class affair, of course; not any sort of pigsty for common sailors. No! damn it! it would be for captains and mates, and⁠—and⁠—regular swells, you know. Regina And I was to⁠—? Engstrand You were to help, to be sure. Only for the look of the thing, you understand. Devil a bit of hard work shall you have, my girl. You shall do exactly what you like. Regina Oh, indeed! Engstrand But there must be a petticoat in the house; that’s as clear as daylight. For I want to have it a bit lively like in the evenings, with singing and dancing, and so on. You must remember they’re weary wanderers on the ocean of life. Nearer. Now don’t be a fool and stand in your own light, Regina. What’s to become of you out here? Your mistress has given you a lot of learning; but what good is that to you? You’re to look after the children at the new Orphanage, I hear. Is that the sort of thing for you, eh? Are you so dead set on wearing your life out for a pack of dirty brats? Regina No; if things go as I want them to⁠—Well there’s no saying⁠—there’s no saying. Engstrand What do you mean by “there’s no saying”? Regina Never you mind.⁠—How much money have you saved? Engstrand What with one thing and another, a matter of seven or eight hundred crowns. A “krone” is equal to one shilling and three-halfpence. Regina That’s not so bad. Engstrand It’s enough to make a start with, my girl. Regina Aren’t you thinking of giving me any? Engstrand No, I’m blest if I am! Regina Not even of sending me a scrap of stuff for a new dress? Engstrand Come to town with me, my lass, and you’ll soon get dresses enough. Regina Pooh! I can do that on my own account, if I want to. Engstrand No, a father’s guiding hand is what you want, Regina. Now, I’ve got my eye on a capital house in Little Harbour Street. They don’t want much ready-money; and it could be a sort of a Sailors’ Home, you know. Regina But I will not live with you! I have nothing whatever to do with you. Be off! Engstrand You wouldn’t stop long with me, my girl. No such luck! If you knew how to play your cards, such a fine figure of a girl as you’ve grown in the last year or two⁠— Regina Well? Engstrand You’d soon get hold of some mate⁠—or maybe even a captain⁠— Regina I won’t marry anyone of that sort. Sailors have no savoir vivre. Engstrand What’s that they haven’t got? Regina I know what sailors are, I