some kind of an eating-house for seafaring
folk--

Regina. Heavens!

Engstrand. Oh, a high-class eating-house, of course--not a pigsty for
common sailors. Damn it, no; it would be a place ships' captains and
first mates would come to; really good sort of people, you know.

Regina. And what should I--?

Engstrand. You would help there: But only to make show, you know. You
wouldn't find it hard work, I can promise you, my girl. You should do
exactly as you liked.

Regina. Oh, yes, quite so!

Engstrand. But we must have some women in the house; that is as clear
as daylight. Because in the evening we must make the place a little
attractive--some singing and dancing, and that sort of thing. Remember
they are seafolk--wayfarers on the waters of life! (Coming nearer to
her.) Now don't be a fool and stand in your own way, Regina. What good
are you going to do here? Will this education, that your mistress has
paid for, be of any use? You are to look after the children in the new
Home, I hear. Is that the sort of work for you? Are you so frightfully
anxious to go and wear out your health and strength for the sake of
these dirty brats?

Regina. No, if things were to go as I want them to, then--. Well, it
may happen; who knows? It may happen!

Engstrand. What may happen?

Regina. Never you mind. Is it much that you have put by, up here?

Engstrand. Taking it all round, I should say about forty or fifty
pounds.

Regina. That's not so bad.

Engstrand. It's enough to make a start with, my girl.

Regina. Don't you mean to give me any of the money?

Engstrand. No, I'm hanged if I do.

Regina. Don't you mean to send me as much as a dress-length of stuff,
just for once?

Engstrand. Come and live in the town with me and you shall have plenty
of dresses.

Regina: Pooh!--I can get that much for myself, if I have a mind to.

Engstrand. But it's far better to have a father's guiding hand, Regina.
Just now I can get a nice house in Little Harbour Street. They don't
want much money down for it--and we could make it like a sort of
seamen's home, don't you know.

Regina. But I have no intention of living with you! I'll have nothing
whatever to do with you: So now, be off!

Engstrand. You wouldn't be living with me long, my girl. No such
luck--not if you knew how to play your cards. Such a fine wench as you
have grown this last year or two...

Regina. Well--?

Engstrand. It wouldn't be very long before some first mate