giving them a bit of an admonition to lead a new life--

MRS. ALVING. [At the window.] H'm--

MANDERS. I know all about that, Engstrand; the ruffians threw you
downstairs. You have told me of the affair already. Your infirmity
is an honour to you.

ENGSTRAND. I'm not puffed up about it, your Reverence. But what I
wanted to say was, that when she cane and confessed all to me, with
weeping and gnashing of teeth, I can tell your Reverence I was sore
at heart to hear it.

MANDERS. Were you indeed, Engstrand? Well, go on.

ENGSTRAND. So I says to her, "The American, he's sailing about on
the boundless sea. And as for you, Johanna," says I, "you've
committed a grievous sin, and you're a fallen creature. But Jacob
Engstrand," says I, "he's got two good legs to stand upon, he has--"
You see, your Reverence, I was speaking figurative-like.

MANDERS. I understand quite well. Go on.

ENGSTRAND. Well, that was how I raised her up and made an honest
woman of her, so as folks shouldn't get to know how as she'd gone
astray with foreigners.

MANDERS. In all that you acted very well. Only I cannot approve of
your stooping to take money--