With all the Boards and Committees I belong to--

MRS. ALVING. That makes it all the kinder of you to come so early.
Now we can get through our business before dinner. But where is
your portmanteau?

MANDERS. [Quickly.] I left it down at the inn. I shall sleep there
to-night.

MRS. ALVING. [Suppressing a smile.] Are you really not to be
persuaded, even now, to pass the night under my roof?

MANDERS. No, no, Mrs. Alving; many thanks. I shall stay at the inn,
as usual. It is so conveniently near the landing-stage.

MRS. ALVING. Well, you must have your own way. But I really should
have thought we two old people--

MANDERS. Now you are making fun of me. Ah, you're naturally in
great spirits to-day--what with to-morrow's festival and Oswald's
return.

MRS. ALVING. Yes; you can think what a delight it is to me! It's
more than two years since he was home last. And now he has promised
to stay with me all the winter.

MANDERS. Has he really? That is very nice and dutiful of him. For I
can well believe that life in Rome and Paris has very different
attractions from any we can offer here.