Oswald. Exactly, or with his children and his children's mother.

Manders (starts and clasps his hands). Good heavens!

Manders. Lives with-with-his children's mother.

Oswald. Well, would you rather he should repudiate his children's mother?

Manders. Then what you are speaking of are those unprincipled conditions known as irregular unions!

Oswald. I have never noticed anything particularly unprincipled about these people's lives.

Manders. But do you mean to say that it is possible for a man of any sort of bringing up, and a young woman, to reconcile themselves to such a way of living--and to make no secret of it, either!

Oswald. What else are they to do? A poor artist, and a poor girl- -it costs a good deal to get married. What else are they to do?