Mrs. Alving.

Certainly. [She sits by the table.

Manders.

Very well. Then let me show you——[He goes to the chair where his travelling-bag lies, takes out a packet of papers, sits down on the opposite side of the table, and tries to find a clear space for the papers.] Now, to begin with, here is——[Breaking off.] Tell me, Mrs. Alving, how do these books come to be here?

Mrs. Alving.

These books? They are books I am reading.

Manders.

Do you read this sort of literature?

Mrs. Alving.

Certainly I do.