Manders (lowering his voice). But one doesn't talk about it, Mrs.
Alving. One certainly is not called upon to account to everyone
for what one reads or thinks in the privacy of one's own room.

Mrs. Alving. Certainly not. I quite agree with you.

Manders. Just think of the consideration you owe to this
Orphanage, which you decided to build at a time when your
thoughts on such subjects were very different from what they are
now--as far as I am able to judge.

Mrs. Alving. Yes, I freely admit that. But it was about the
Orphanage...

Manders. It was about the Orphanage we were going to talk; quite
so. Well--walk warily, dear Mrs. Alving! And now let us turn to
the business in hand. (Opens an envelope and takes out some
papers.) You see these?

Mrs. Alving. The deeds?

Manders. Yes, the whole lot--and everything in order; I can tell
you it has been no easy matter to get them in time. I had
positively to put pressure on the authorities; they are almost
painfully conscientious when it is a question of settling
property. But here they are at last. (Turns over the papers.)
Here is the deed of conveyance of that part of the Rosenvold
estate known as the Solvik property, together with the buildings
newly erected thereon-- the school, the masters' houses and the