ACT FIRST.
Evening. Dr. Stockmann’s sitting-room; simply but neatly decorated and furnished. In the wall to the right are two doors, the further one leading to the hall, the nearer one to the Doctor’s study. In the opposite wall, facing the hall door, a door leading to the other rooms of the house. Against the middle of this wall stands the stove; further forward a sofa with a mirror above it, and in front of it an oval table with a cover. On the table a lighted lamp, with a shade. In the back wall an open door leading to the dining-room, in which is seen a supper-table, with a lamp on it.
Billing is seated at the supper-table, with a napkin under his chin. Mrs. Stockmann is standing by the table and placing before him a dish with a large joint of roast beef. The other seats round the table are empty; the table is in disorder, as after a meal.
Mrs. Stockmann.
If you come an hour late, Mr. Billing, you must put up with a cold supper.
Billing.
[Eating.] It is excellent—really first rate.
Mrs. Stockmann.
You know how Stockmann insists on regular meal-hours——
Billing.
Oh, I don’t mind at all. I almost think I enjoy my supper more when I can sit down to it like this, alone and undisturbed.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Oh, well, if you enjoy it—— [Listening in the direction of the hall.] I believe this is Mr. Hovstad coming too.
Billing.
Very likely.
Burgomaster Stockmann enters, wearing an overcoat and an official gold-laced cap, and carrying a stick.
Burgomaster.
Good evening, sister-in-law.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Coming forward into the sitting-room.] Oh, good evening; is it you? It is good of you to look in.
Burgomaster.
I was just passing, and so—— [Looks towards the drawing-room.] Ah, I see you have company.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Rather embarrassed.] Oh no, not at all; it’s the merest chance. [Hurriedly.] Won’t you sit down and have a little supper?
Burgomaster.
I? No, thank you. Good gracious! hot meat in the evening! That wouldn’t suit my digestion.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Oh, for once in a way——
Burgomaster.
No, no,—much obliged to you. I stick to tea and bread and butter. It’s more wholesome in the long run—and rather more economical, too.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Smiling.] You mustn’t think Thomas and I are mere spendthrifts, either.
Burgomaster.
You are not, sister-in-law; far be it from me to say that. [Pointing to the Doctor’s study.] Is he not at home?
Mrs. Stockmann.
No, he has gone for a little turn after supper—with the boys.
Burgomaster.
I wonder if that is a good thing to do? [Listening.] There he is, no doubt.
Mrs. Stockmann.
No, that is not he. [A knock.] Come in!
Hovstad enters from the hall.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Ah, it’s Mr. Hovstad——
Hovstad.
You must excuse me; I was detained at the printer’s. Good evening, Burgomaster.
Burgomaster.
[Bowing rather stiffly.] Mr. Hovstad? You come on business, I presume?
Hovstad.
Partly. About an article for the paper.
Burgomaster.
So I supposed. I hear my brother is an extremely prolific contributor to the People’s Messenger.
Hovstad.
Yes, when he wants to unburden his mind on one thing or another, he gives the Messenger the benefit.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[To Hovstad.] But will you not——? [Points to the dining-room.]
Burgomaster.
Well, well, I am far from blaming him for writing for the class of readers he finds most in sympathy with him. And, personally, I have no reason to bear your paper any ill-will, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad.
No, I should think not.
Burgomaster.
One may say, on the whole, that a fine spirit of mutual tolerance prevails in our town—an excellent public spirit. And that is because we have a great common interest to hold us together—an interest in which all right-minded citizens are equally concerned——
Hovstad.
Yes—the Baths.
Burgomaster.
Just so. We have our magnificent new Baths. Mark my words! The whole life of the town will centre around the Baths, Mr. Hovstad. There can be no doubt of it!
Mrs. Stockmann.
That is just what Thomas says.
Burgomaster.
How marvellously the place has developed, even in this couple of years! Money has come into circulation, and brought life and movement with it. Houses and ground-rents rise in value every day.
Hovstad.
And there are fewer people out of work.
Burgomaster.
That is true. There is a gratifying diminution in the burden imposed on the well-to-do classes by the poor-rates; and they will be still further lightened if only we have a really good summer this year—a rush of visitors—plenty of invalids, to give the Baths a reputation.
Hovstad.
I hear there is every prospect of that.
Burgomaster.
Things look most promising. Inquiries about apartments and so forth keep on pouring in.
Hovstad.
Then the Doctor’s paper will come in very opportunely.
Burgomaster.
Has he been writing again?
Hovstad.
This is a thing he wrote in the winter; enlarging on the virtues of the Baths, and on the excellent sanitary conditions of the town. But at that time I held it over.
Burgomaster.
Ah—I suppose there was something not quite judicious about it?
Hovstad.
Not at all. But I thought it better to keep it till the spring, when people are beginning to look about them, and think of their summer quarters——
Burgomaster.
You were right, quite right, Mr. Hovstad.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Yes, Thomas is really indefatigable where the Baths are concerned.
Burgomaster.
It is his duty as one of the staff.
Hovstad.
And of course he was really their creator.
Burgomaster.
Was he? Indeed! I gather that certain persons are of that opinion. But I should have thought that I, too, had a modest share in that undertaking.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Yes, that is what Thomas is always saying.
Hovstad.
No one dreams of denying it, Burgomaster. You set the thing going, and put it on a practical basis; everybody knows that. I only meant that the original idea was the doctor’s.
Burgomaster.
Yes, my brother has certainly had ideas enough in his time—worse luck! But when it comes to realising them, Mr. Hovstad, we want men of another stamp. I should have thought that in this house at any rate——
Mrs. Stockmann.
Why, my dear brother-in-law——
Hovstad.
Burgomaster, how can you——?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Do go in and have some supper, Mr. Hovstad; my husband is sure to be home directly.
Hovstad.
Thanks; just a mouthful, perhaps.
[He goes into the dining-room.
Burgomaster.
[Speaking in a low voice.] It is extraordinary how people who spring direct from the peasant class never can get over their want of tact.
Mrs. Stockmann.
But why should you care? Surely you and Thomas can share the honour, like brothers.
Burgomaster.
Yes, one would suppose so; but it seems a share of the honour is not enough for some persons.
Mrs. Stockmann.
What nonsense! You and Thomas always get on so well together. [Listening.] There, I think I hear him.
Goes and opens the door to the hall.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Laughing and talking loudly, without.] Here’s another visitor for you, Katrina. Isn’t it capital, eh? Come in, Captain Horster. Hang your coat on that peg. What! you don’t wear an overcoat? Fancy, Katrina, I caught him in the street, and I could hardly get him to come in.
Captain Horster.
Enters and bows to Mrs. Stockmann.
Dr. Stockmann.
[In the doorway.] In with you, boys. They’re famishing again! Come along, Captain Horster; you must try our roast beef——
[He forces Horster into the dining-room. Eilif and Morten follow them.
Mrs. Stockmann.
But, Thomas, don’t you see——
Dr. Stockmann.
[Turning round in the doorway.] Oh, is that you, Peter! [Goes up to him and holds out his hand.] Now this is really capital.
Burgomaster.
Unfortunately, I have only a moment to spare——
Dr. Stockmann.
Nonsense! We shall have some toddy in a minute. You’re not forgetting the toddy, Katrina?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Of course not; the water’s boiling.
[She goes into the dining-room.
Burgomaster.
Toddy too——!
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes; sit down, and let’s make ourselves comfortable.
Burgomaster.
Thanks; I never join in drinking parties.
Dr. Stockmann.
But this isn’t a party.
Burgomaster.
I don’t know what else—— [Looks towards the dining-room.] It’s extraordinary how they can get through all that food.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Rubbing his hands.] Yes, doesn’t it do one good to see young people eat? Always hungry! That’s as it should be. They need good, solid meat to put stamina into them! It is they that have got to whip up the ferment of the future, Peter.
Burgomaster.
May I ask what there is to be “whipped up,” as you call it?
Dr. Stockmann.
You’ll have to ask the young people that—when the time comes. We shan’t see it, of course. Two old fogies like you and me——
Burgomaster.
Come, come! Surely that is a very extraordinary expression to use——
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, you mustn’t mind my nonsense, Peter. I'm in such glorious spirits, you see. I feel so unspeakably happy in the midst of all this growing, germinating life. Isn’t it a marvellous time we live in! It seems as though a whole new world were springing up around us.
Burgomaster.
Do you really think so?
Dr. Stockmann.
Of course, you can’t see it as clearly as I do. You have passed your life in the midst of it all; and that deadens the impression. But I who had to vegetate all those years in that little hole in the north, hardly ever seeing a soul that could speak a stimulating word to me—all this affects me as if I had suddenly dropped into the heart of some teeming metropolis.
Burgomaster.
Well, metropolis——
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, I know well enough that things are on a small scale here, compared with many other places. But there’s life here—there’s promise—there’s an infinity of things to work and strive for; and that is the main point. [Calling.] Katrina, haven’t there been any letters?
Mrs. Stockmann.
[In the dining-room.] No, none at all.
Dr. Stockmann.
And then a good income, Peter! That’s a thing one learns to appreciate when one has lived on starvation wages——
Burgomaster.
Good heavens——!
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh yes, I can tell you we often had hard times of it up there. And now we can live like princes! To-day, for example, we had roast beef for dinner; and we’ve had some of it for supper too. Won’t you have some? Come along—just look at it, at any rate——
Burgomaster.
No, no; certainly not——
Dr. Stockmann.
Well then, look here—do you see we’ve bought a table-cover?
Burgomaster.
Yes, so I observed.
Dr. Stockmann.
And a lamp-shade, too. Do you see? Katrina has been saving up for them. They make the room look comfortable, don’t they? Come over here. No, no, no, not there. So—yes! Now you see how it concentrates the light——. I really think it has quite an artistic effect. Eh?
Burgomaster.
Yes, when one can afford such luxuries——
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, I can afford it now. Katrina says I make almost as much as we spend.
Burgomaster.
Ah—almost!
Dr. Stockmann.
Besides, a man of science must live in some style. Why, I believe a mere sheriff[[7]] spends much more a year than I do.
Burgomaster.
Yes, I should think so! A member of the superior magistracy——
Dr. Stockmann.
Well then, even a common shipowner! A man of that sort will get through many times as much——
Burgomaster.
That is natural, in your relative positions.
Dr. Stockmann.
And after all, Peter, I really don’t squander any money. But I can’t deny myself the delight of having people about me. I must have them. After living so long out of the world, I find it a necessity of life to have bright, cheerful, freedom-loving, hard-working young fellows around me—and that’s what they are, all of them, that are sitting there eating so heartily. I wish you knew more of Hovstad——
Burgomaster.
Ah, that reminds me—Hovstad was telling me that he is going to publish another article of yours.
Dr. Stockmann.
An article of mine?
Burgomaster.
Yes, about the Baths. An article you wrote last winter.
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, that one! But I don’t want that to appear for the present.
Burgomaster.
Why not? It seems to me this is the very time for it.
Dr. Stockmann.
Very likely—under ordinary circumstances——
[Crosses the room.
Burgomaster.
[Following him with his eyes.] And what is unusual in the circumstances now?
Dr. Stockmann.
[Standing still.] The fact is, Peter, I really cannot tell you just now; not this evening, at all events. There may prove to be a great deal that is unusual in the circumstances. On the other hand, there may be nothing at all. Very likely it’s only my fancy.
Burgomaster.
Upon my word, you are very enigmatical. Is there anything in the wind? Anything I am to be kept in the dark about? I should think, as Chairman of the Bath Committee——
Dr. Stockmann.
And I should think that I——Well, well, don’t let us get our backs up, Peter.
Burgomaster.
God forbid! I am not in the habit of “getting my back up,” as you express it. But I must absolutely insist that all arrangements shall be made and carried out in a businesslike manner, and through the properly constituted authorities. I cannot be a party to crooked or underhand courses.
Dr. Stockmann.
Have I ever been given to crooked or underhand courses?
Burgomaster.
At any rate you have an ingrained propensity to taking your own course. And that, in a well-ordered community, is almost as inadmissible. The individual must subordinate himself to society, or, more precisely, to the authorities whose business it is to watch over the welfare of society.
Dr. Stockmann.
Maybe. But what the devil has that to do with me?
Burgomaster.
Why this is the very thing, my dear Thomas, that it seems you will never learn. But take care; you will have to pay for it—sooner or later. Now I have warned you. Good-bye.
Dr. Stockmann.
Are you stark mad? You’re on a totally wrong track——
Burgomaster.
I am not often on the wrong track. Moreover, I must protest against——[Bowing towards dining-room.] Good-bye, sister-in-law; good-day to you, gentlemen.
[He goes.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Entering the sitting-room.] Has he gone?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, and in a fine temper, too.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Why, my dear Thomas, what have you been doing to him now?
Dr. Stockmann.
Nothing at all. He can’t possibly expect me to account to him for everything—before the time comes.
Mrs. Stockmann.
What have you to account to him for?
Dr. Stockmann.
H'm;—never mind about that, Katrina.—It’s very odd the postman doesn’t come.
[Hovstad, Billing and Horster have risen from table and come forward into the sitting-room. Eilif and Morten presently follow.
Billing.
[Stretching himself.] Ah! Strike me dead if one doesn’t feel a new man after such a meal.
Hovstad.
The Burgomaster didn’t seem in the best of tempers this evening.
Dr. Stockmann.
That’s his stomach. He has a very poor digestion.
Hovstad.
I fancy it’s the staff of the Messenger he finds it hardest to stomach.
Mrs. Stockmann.
I thought you got on well enough with him.
Hovstad.
Oh, yes; but it’s only a sort of armistice between us.
Billing.
That’s it. That word sums up the situation.
Dr. Stockmann.
We must remember that Peter is a lonely bachelor, poor devil! He has no home to be happy in; only business, business. And then all that cursëd weak tea he goes and pours down his throat! Now then, chairs round the table, boys! Katrina, shan’t we have the toddy now?
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Going towards the dining-room.] I am just getting it.
Dr. Stockmann.
And you, Captain Horster, sit beside me on the sofa. So rare a guest as you——. Sit down, gentlemen, sit down.
[The men sit round the table; Mrs. Stockmann brings in a tray with kettle, glasses, decanters, etc.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Here you have it: here’s arrak, and this is rum, and this cognac. Now, help yourselves.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Taking a glass.] So we will. [While the toddy is being mixed.] And now out with the cigars. Eilif, I think you know where the box is. And Morten, you may fetch my pipe. [The boys go into the room on the right.] I have a suspicion that Eilif sneaks a cigar now and then, but I pretend not to notice. [Calls.] And my smoking-cap, Morten! Katrina, can’t you tell him where I left it. Ah, he’s got it. [The boys bring in the things.] Now, friends, help yourselves. I stick to my pipe, you know;—this one has been on many a stormy journey with me, up there in the north. [They clink glasses.] Your health! Ah, I can tell you it’s better fun to sit cosily here, safe from wind and weather.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Who sits knitting.] Do you sail soon, Captain Horster?
Horster.
I hope to be ready for a start by next week.
Mrs. Stockmann.
And you’re going to America?
Horster.
Yes, that’s the intention.
Billing.
But then you’ll miss the election of the new Town Council.
Horster.
Is there to be an election again?
Billing.
Didn’t you know?
Horster.
No, I don’t trouble myself about those things.
Billing.
But I suppose you take an interest in public affairs?
Horster.
No, I don’t understand anything about them.
Billing.
All the same, one ought at least to vote.[vote.]
Horster.
Even those who don’t understand anything about it?
Billing.
Understand? Why, what do you mean by that? Society is like a ship: every man must put his hand to the helm.
Horster.
That may be all right on shore; but at sea it wouldn’t do at all.
Hovstad.
It’s remarkable how little sailors care about public affairs as a rule.
Billing.
Most extraordinary.
Dr. Stockmann.
Sailors are like birds of passage; they are at home both in the south and in the north. So it behoves the rest of us to be all the more energetic, Mr. Hovstad. Will there be anything of public interest in the People’s Messenger to-morrow?
Hovstad.
Nothing of local interest. But the day after to-morrow I think of printing your article——
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh confound it, that article! No, you’ll have to hold it over.
Hovstad.
Really? We happen to have plenty of space, and I should say this was the very time for it——
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, yes, you may be right; but you must hold it over all the same. I shall explain to you by-and-by.
Petra, wearing a hat and cloak, and with a number of exercise-books under her arm, enters from the hall.
Petra.
Good evening.
Dr. Stockmann.
Good evening, Petra. Is that you?
[General greetings. Petra puts her cloak, hat, and books on a chair by the door.
Petra.
Here you all are, enjoying yourselves, while I've been out slaving.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well then, you come and enjoy yourself too.
Billing.
May I mix you a little——?
Petra.
[Coming towards the table.] Thank you, I'd rather help myself—you always make it too strong. By the way, father, I have a letter for you.
[Goes to the chair where her things are lying.
Dr. Stockmann.
A letter! From whom?
Petra.
[Searching in the pocket of her cloak.] I got it from the postman just as I was going out——
Dr. Stockmann.
[Rising and going towards her.] And you only bring it me now?
Petra.
I really hadn’t time to run up again. Here it is.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Seizing the letter.] Let me see, let me see, child. [Reads the address.] Yes; this is it——!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Is it the one you have been so anxious about, Thomas?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes it is. I must go at once. Where shall I find a light, Katrina? Is there no lamp in my study again!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Yes—the lamp is lighted. It’s on the writing-table.
Dr. Stockmann.
Good, good. Excuse me one moment——
[He goes into the room on the right.
Petra.
What can it be, mother?
Mrs. Stockmann.
I don’t know. For the last few days he has been continually on the look-out for the postman.
Billing.
Probably a country patient——
Petra.
Poor father! He’ll soon have far too much to do. [Mixes her toddy.] Ah, this will taste good!
Hovstad.
Have you been teaching in the night school as well to-day?
Petra.
[Sipping from her glass.] Two hours.
Billing.
And four hours in the morning at the institute——
Petra.
[Sitting down by the table.] Five hours.
Mrs. Stockmann.
And I see you have exercises to correct this evening.
Petra.
Yes, a heap of them.
Horster.
It seems to me you have plenty to do, too.
Petra.
Yes; but I like it. You feel so delightfully tired after it.
Billing.
Do you like that?
Petra.
Yes, for then you sleep so well.
Morten.
I say, Petra, you must be a great sinner.
Petra.
A sinner?
Morten.
Yes, if you work so hard. Mr. Rörlund[[8]] says work is a punishment for our sins.
Eilif.
[Contemptuously.] Bosh! What a silly you are, to believe such stuff as that.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Come come, Eilif.
Billing.
[Laughing.] Capital, capital!
Hovstad.
Should you not like to work so hard, Morten?
Morten.
No, I shouldn’t.
Hovstad.
Then what will you do with yourself in the world?
Morten.
I should like to be a Viking.
Eilif.
But then you’d have to be a heathen.
Morten.
Well, so I would.
Billing.
There I agree with you, Morten! I say just the same thing.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Making a sign to him.] No, no, Mr. Billing, I'm sure you don’t.
Billing.
Strike me dead but I do, though. I am a heathen, and I'm proud of it. You’ll see we shall all be heathens soon.
Morten.
And shall we be able to do anything we like then?
Billing.
Well, you see, Morten——
Mrs. Stockmann.
Now run away, boys; I'm sure you have lessons to prepare for to-morrow.
Eilif.
You might let me stay just a little longer——
Mrs. Stockmann.
No, you must go too. Be off, both of you.
[The boys say good-night and go into the room on the left.
Hovstad.
Do you really think it can hurt the boys to hear these things?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Well, I don’t know; I don’t like it.
Petra.
Really, mother, I think you are quite wrong there.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Perhaps. But I don’t like it—not here, at home.
Petra.
There’s no end of hypocrisy both at home and at school. At home you must hold your tongue, and at school you have to stand up and tell lies to the children.
Horster.
Have you to tell lies?
Petra.
Yes; do you think we don’t have to tell them many and many a thing we don’t believe ourselves?
Billing.
Ah, that’s too true.
Petra.
If only I could afford it, I should start a school myself, and things should be very different there.
Billing.
Oh, afford it——!
Horster.
If you really think of doing that, Miss Stockmann, I shall be delighted to let you have a room at my place. You know my father’s old house is nearly empty; there’s a great big dining-room on the ground floor——
Petra.
[Laughing.] Oh, thank you very much—but I'm afraid it won’t come to anything.
Hovstad.
No, I fancy Miss Petra is more likely to go over to journalism. By the way, have you had time to look into the English novel you promised to translate for us?
Petra.
Not yet. But you shall have it in good time.
Dr. Stockmann enters from his room, with the letter open in his hand.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Flourishing the letter.] Here’s news, I can tell you, that will waken up the town!
Billing.
News?
Mrs. Stockmann.
What news?
Dr. Stockmann.
A great discovery, Katrina!
Hovstad.
Indeed?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Made by you?
Dr. Stockmann.
Precisely—by me! [Walks up and down.] Now let them go on accusing me of fads and crack-brained notions. But they won’t dare to! Ha-ha! I tell you they won’t dare!
Petra.
Do tell us what it is, father.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well, well, give me time, and you shall hear all about it. If only I had Peter here now! This just shows how we men can go about forming judgments like the blindest moles——
Hovstad.
What do you mean, doctor?
Dr. Stockmann.
[Stopping beside the table.] Isn’t it the general opinion that our town is a healthy place?
Hovstad.
Of course.
Dr. Stockmann.
A quite exceptionally healthy place, indeed—a place to be warmly recommended, both to invalids and people in health——
Mrs. Stockmann.
My dear Thomas——
Dr. Stockmann.
And assuredly we haven’t failed to recommend and belaud it. I've sung its praises again and again, both in the Messenger and in pamphlets——
Hovstad.
Well, what then?
Dr. Stockmann.
These Baths, that we have called the pulse of the town, its vital nerve, and—and the devil knows what else——
Billing.
“Our city’s palpitating heart,” I once ventured to call them in a convivial moment——
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, I daresay. Well—do you know what they really are, these mighty, magnificent, belauded Baths, that have cost so much money—do you know what they are?
Hovstad.
No, what are they?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Do tell us.
Dr. Stockmann.
Simply a pestiferous hole.
Petra.
The Baths, father?
Mrs. Stockmann.
[At the same time.] Our Baths!
Hovstad.
[Also at the same time.] But, Doctor——!
Billing.
Oh, it’s incredible!
Dr. Stockmann.
I tell you the whole place is a poisonous whited-sepulchre; noxious in the highest degree! All that filth up there in the Mill Dale—the stuff that smells so horribly—taints the water in the feed-pipes of the Pump-Room; and the same accursëd poisonous refuse oozes out by the beach——
Hovstad.
Where the sea-baths are?
Dr. Stockmann.
Exactly.
Hovstad.
But how are you so sure of all this, Doctor?
Dr. Stockmann.
I've investigated the whole thing as conscientiously as possible. I've long had my suspicions about it. Last year we had some extraordinary cases of illness among the patients—both typhoid and gastric attacks——
Mrs. Stockmann.
Yes, I remember.
Dr. Stockmann.
We thought at the time that the visitors had brought the infection with them; but afterwards—last winter—I began to question that. So I set about testing the water as well as I could.
Mrs. Stockmann.
It was that you were working so hard at!
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, you may well say I've worked, Katrina. But here, you know, I hadn’t the necessary scientific appliances; so I sent samples both of our drinking-water and of our sea-water to the University, for exact analysis by a chemist.
Hovstad.
And you have received his report?
Dr. Stockmann.
[Showing letter.] Here it is! And it proves beyond dispute the presence of putrefying organic matter in the water—millions of infusoria. It’s absolutely pernicious to health, whether used internally or externally.
Mrs. Stockmann.
What a blessing you found it out in time.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, you may well say that.
Hovstad.
And what do you intend to do now, Doctor?
Dr. Stockmann.
Why, to set things right, of course.
Hovstad.
You think it can be done, then?
Dr. Stockmann.
It must be done. Else the whole Baths are useless, ruined. But there’s no fear. I am quite clear as to what is required.
Mrs. Stockmann.
But, my dear Thomas, why should you have made such a secret of all this?
Dr. Stockmann.
Would you have had me rush all over the town and chatter about it, before I was quite certain? No, thank you; I'm not so mad as that.
Petra.
But to us at home——
Dr. Stockmann.
I couldn’t say a word to a living soul. But to-morrow you may look in at the Badger’s——
Mrs. Stockmann.
Oh, Thomas!
Dr. Stockmann.
Well well, at your grandfather’s. The old fellow will be astonished! He thinks I'm not quite right in my head—yes, and plenty of others think the same, I've noticed. But now these good people shall see—yes, they shall see now! [Walks up and down rubbing his hands.] What a stir there will be in the town, Katrina! Just think of it! All the water-pipes will have to be relaid.
Hovstad.
[Rising.] All the water-pipes——?
Dr. Stockmann.
Why, of course. The intake is too low down; it must be moved much higher up.
Petra.
So you were right, after all.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, do you remember, Petra? I wrote against it when they were beginning the works. But no one would listen to me then. Now, you may be sure, I shall give them my full broadside—for of course I've prepared a statement for the Directors; it has been lying ready a whole week; I've only been waiting for this report. [Points to letter.] But now they shall have it at once. [Goes into his room and returns with a MS. in his hand.] See! Four closely-written sheets! And I'll enclose the report. A newspaper, Katrina! Get me something to wrap them up in. There—that’s it. Give it to—to—[Stamps.]—what the devil’s her name? Give it to the girl, I mean, and tell her to take it at once to the Burgomaster.
[Mrs. Stockmann goes out with the packet through the dining-room.
Petra.
What do you think Uncle Peter will say, father?
Dr. Stockmann.
What should he say? He can’t possibly be otherwise than pleased that so important a fact has been brought to light.
Hovstad.
I suppose you will let me put a short announcement of your discovery in the Messenger.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, I shall be much obliged if you will.
Hovstad.
It is highly desirable that the public should know about it as soon as possible.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, certainly.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Returning.] She’s gone with it.
Billing.
Strike me dead if you won’t be the first man in the town, Doctor!
Dr. Stockmann.
[Walks up and down in high glee.] Oh, nonsense! After all, I have done no more than my duty. I've been a lucky treasure-hunter, that’s all. But all the same——
Billing.
Hovstad, don’t you think the town ought to get up a torchlight procession in honour of Dr. Stockmann?
Hovstad.
I shall certainly propose it.
Billing.
And I'll talk it over with Aslaksen.
Dr. Stockmann.
No, my dear friends; let all such claptrap alone. I won’t hear of anything of the sort. And if the Directors should want to raise my salary, I won’t accept it. I tell you, Katrina, I will not accept it.
Mrs. Stockmann.
You are quite right, Thomas.
Petra.
[Raising her glass.] Your health, father!
Hovstad and Billing.
Your health, your health, Doctor!
Horster.
[Clinking glasses with the Doctor.] I hope you may have nothing but joy of your discovery.
Dr. Stockmann.
Thanks, thanks, my dear friends! I can’t tell you how happy I am—! Oh, what a blessing it is to feel that you have deserved well of your native town and your fellow citizens. Hurrah, Katrina!
[He puts both his arms round her neck, and whirls her round with him. Mrs. Stockmann screams and struggles. A burst of laughter, applause, and cheers for the Doctor. The boys thrust their heads in at the door.