e you setting yourself up
against your father, you hussy?

Regina (mutters, without looking at him). You have often told me I was
none of yours.

Engstrand. Bah!--why do you want to pay any attention to that?

Regina. Haven't you many and many a time abused me and called me a --?
For shame?

Engstrand. I'll swear I never used such an ugly word.

Regina. Oh, it doesn't matter what word you used.

Engstrand. Besides, that was only when I was a bit fuddled...hm!
Temptations are manifold in this world, Regina.

Regina. Ugh!

Engstrand. And it was when your mother was in a nasty temper. I had to
find some way of getting my knife into her, my girl. She was always so
precious gentile. (Mimicking her.) "Let go, Jacob! Let me be! Please to
remember that I was three years with the Alvings at Rosenvold, and they
were people who went to Court!" (Laughs.) Bless my soul, she never
could forget that Captain Alving got a Court appointment while she was
in service here.

Regina. Poor mother--you worried her into her grave pretty soon.

Engstrand (shrugging his shoulders). Of course, of course; I have got
to take the blame for everything.

Regina (beneath her breath, as she turns away). Ugh--that leg, too!

Engstrand. What are you saying, my girl?

Regina. Pied de mouton.

Engstrand. Is that English?

Regina. Yes.

Engstrand. You have had a good education out here, and no mistake; and
it may stand you in good stead now, Regina.

Regina (after a short silence). And what was it you wanted me to come
to town for?

Engstrand. Need you ask why a father wants his only child? Ain't I a
poor lonely widower?

Regina. Oh, don't come to me with that tale. Why do you want me to go?

Engstrand. Well, I must tell you I am thinking of taking up a new line
now.

Regina (whistles). You have tried that so often--but it has always
proved a fool's errand.

Engstrand. Ah, but this time you will just see, Regina! Strike me dead
if--

Regina (stamping her foot). Stop swearing!

Engstrand. Sh! Sh!--you're quite right, my girl, quite right! What I
wanted to say was only this, that I have put by a tidy penny out of
what I have made by working at this new Orphanage up here.

Regina. Have you? All the better for you.

Engstrand. What is there for a man to spend his money on, out here in
the country?

Regina. Well, what then?

Engstrand. Well, you see, I thought of putting the money into something
that would pay. I thought of