MANDERS. Is there any considerable number of people--really responsible
people--who might be scandalised?
MRS. ALVING. What do you mean by "really responsible people"?
MANDERS. Well, I mean people in such independent and influential
positions that one cannot help attaching some weight to their opinions.
MRS. ALVING. There are several people of that sort here, who would very
likely be shocked if--
MANDERS. There, you see! In town we have many such people. Think of all
my colleague's adherents! People would be only too ready to interpret
our action as a sign that neither you nor I had the right faith in a
Higher Providence.
MRS. ALVING. But for your own part, my dear Pastor, you can at least
tell yourself that--
MANDERS. Yes, I know--I know; my conscience would be quite easy, that
is true enough. But nevertheless we should not escape grave
misinterpretation; and that might very likely react unfavourably upon
the Orphanage.