the sooner the better.

MRS. ALVING. "A vale of tears," yes; and we certainly do our best
to make it one.

OSWALD. But in the great world people won't hear of such things.
There, nobody really believes such doctrines any longer. There, you
feel it a positive bliss and ecstasy merely to draw the breath of
life. Mother, have you noticed that everything I have painted has
turned upon the joy of life?--always, always upon the joy of life?--
light and sunshine and glorious air-and faces radiant with
happiness. That is why I'm afraid of remaining at home with you.

MRS. ALVING. Afraid? What are you afraid of here, with me?

OSWALD. I'm afraid lest all my instincts should be warped into
ugliness.

MRS. ALVING. [Looks steadily at him.] Do you think that is what
would happen?

OSWALD. I know it. You may live the same life here as there, and
yet it won't be the same life.

MRS. ALVING. [Who has been listening eagerly, rises, her eyes big
with thought, and says:] Now I see the sequence of things.

OSWALD. What is it you see?

MRS. ALVING. I see it now for the first time. And now I can speak.