Manders.

But how is it possible that a—a young man or young woman with any decency of feeling can endure to live in that way?—in the eyes of all the world!

Oswald.

What are they to do? A poor young artist—a poor girl—marriage costs a great deal. What are they to do?

Manders.

What are they to do? Let me tell you, Mr. Alving, what they ought to do. They ought to exercise self-restraint from the first; that is what they ought to do.

Oswald.

That doctrine will scarcely go down with warm-blooded young people who love each other.

Mrs. Alving.

No, scarcely!