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.
Manders.
Do you feel better or happier for such reading?
Mrs. Alving.
I feel, so to speak, more secure.
Manders.
That is strange. How do you mean?
Mrs. Alving.
Well, I seem to find explanation and confirmation of all sorts of things I myself have been thinking. For that is the wonderful part of it, Pastor Manders—there is really nothing new in these books, nothing but what most people think
