Mrs. Alving.
[Suppressing a smile.] Are you really not to be persuaded, even now, to pass the night under my roof?
Manders.
No, no, Mrs. Alving; many thanks. I shall stay at the inn, as usual. It is so conveniently near the landing-stage.
Mrs. Alving.
Well, you must have your own way. But I really should have thought we two old people——
Manders.
Now you are making fun of me. Ah, you’re naturally in great spirits to-day—what with to-morrow’s festival and Oswald’s return.
Mrs. Alving.
Yes; you can think what a delight it is to me! It’s more than two years since he was home last. And now he has promised to stay with me all the winter.