Have you the heart to say that to your mother, Oswald?

Oswald.

But you’ve got on very well without me all this time.

Mrs. Alving.

Yes; I have got on without you. That is true.

[A silence. Twilight slowly begins to fall. Oswald paces to and fro across the room. He has laid his cigar down.

Oswald.

[Stops beside Mrs. Alving.] Mother, may I sit on the sofa beside you?

Mrs. Alving.

[Makes room for him.] Yes, do, my dear boy.