Mrs. Alving.
[Rising slowly.] The sins of the fathers!
Oswald.
I very nearly struck him in the face
Mrs. Alving.
[Walks away across the room.] The sins of the fathers
Oswald.
[Smiles sadly.] Yes; what do you think of that? Of course I assured him that such a thing was out of the question. But do you think he gave in? No, he stuck to it; and it was only when I produced your letters and translated the passages relating to father
Mrs. Alving.
But then?
Oswald.
Then of course he had to admit that he was on the wrong track; and so I learned the truth—the incomprehensible truth! I ought not to have taken part with my comrades in that light-*hearted, glorious life of theirs. It had been too much for my strength. So I had brought it upon myself!
Mrs. Alving.
Oswald! No, no; do not believe it!
Oswald.
No other explanation was possible, he said. That's the awful part of it. Incurably ruined for life—by my own heedlessness! All that I meant
