ACT THIRD.
The Editor’s Room of the “People’s Messenger.[Messenger.]” In the background, to the left, an entrance-door—[entrance-door—]to the right another door, with glass panes, through which can be seen the composing-room. A door in the right-hand wall. In the middle of the room a large table covered with papers, newspapers, and books. In front, on the left, a window, and by it a desk with a high stool. A couple of arm-chairs beside the table; some other chairs along the walls. The room is dingy and cheerless, the furniture shabby, the arm-chairs dirty and torn. In the composing-room are seen a few compositors at work; further back, a hand-press in operation.
Hovstad is seated at the desk, writing. Presently Billing enters from the right, with the Doctor’s manuscript in his hand.
Billing.
Well, I must say——!
Hovstad.
[Writing.] Have you read it through?
Billing.
[Laying the MS. on the desk.] Yes, I should think I had.
Hovstad.
Don’t you think the Doctor comes out strong?
Billing.
Strong! Why, strike me dead if he isn’t crushing! Every word falls like a—well, like a sledge-hammer.
Hovstad.
Yes, but these fellows won’t collapse at the first blow.
Billing.
True enough; but we’ll keep on hammering away, blow after blow, till the whole officialdom comes crashing down. As I sat in there reading that article, I seemed to hear the revolution thundering afar.
Hovstad.
[Turning round.] Hush! Don’t let Aslaksen hear that.
Billing.
[In a lower voice.] Aslaksen’s a white-livered, cowardly fellow, without a spark of manhood in him. But this time you’ll surely carry your point? Eh? You’ll print the Doctor’s paper?
Hovstad.
Yes, if only the Burgomaster doesn’t give in——
Billing.
That would be deuced annoying.
Hovstad.
Well, whatever happens, fortunately we can turn the situation to account. If the Burgomaster won’t agree to the Doctor’s proposal, he’ll have all the small middle-class down upon him—all the House-owners' Association, and the rest of them. And if he does agree to it, he’ll fall out with the whole crew of big shareholders in the Baths, who have hitherto been his main support——
Billing.
Yes, of course; for no doubt they’ll have to fork out a lot of money——
Hovstad.
You may take your oath of that. And then, don’t you see, when the ring is broken up, we’ll din it into the public day by day that the Burgomaster is incompetent in every respect, and that all responsible positions in the town, the whole municipal government in short, must be entrusted to men of liberal ideas.
Billing.
Strike me dead if that isn’t the square truth! I see it—I see it: we are on the eve of a revolution!
[A knock at the door.
Hovstad.
Hush! [Calls.] Come in!
Dr. Stockmann enters from the back, left.
Hovstad.
[Going towards him.] Ah, here is the Doctor. Well?
Dr. Stockmann.
Print away, Mr. Hovstad!
Hovstad.
So it has come to that?
Billing.
Hurrah!
Dr. Stockmann.
Print away, I tell you. To be sure it has come to that. Since they will have it so, they must. War is declared, Mr. Billing!
Billing.
War to the knife, say I! War to the death, Doctor!
Dr. Stockmann.
This article is only the beginning. I have four or five others sketched out in my head already. But where do you keep Aslaksen?
Billing.
[Calling into the printing-room.] Aslaksen[Aslaksen]! just come here a moment.
Hovstad.
Four or five more articles, eh? On the same subject?
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh no—not at all, my dear fellow. No; they will deal with quite different matters. But they’re all of a piece with the water-works and sewer question. One thing leads to another. It’s just like beginning to pick at an old house, don’t you know?
Billing.
Strike me dead, but that’s true! You feel you can’t leave off till you’ve pulled the whole lumber-heap to pieces.
Aslaksen.
[Enters from the printing-room.] Pulled to pieces! Surely the Doctor isn’t thinking of pulling the Baths to pieces?
Hovstad.
Not at all. Don’t be alarmed.
Dr. Stockmann.
No, we were talking of something quite different. Well, what do you think of my article, Mr. Hovstad?
Hovstad.
I think it’s simply a masterpiece——
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, isn’t it? I'm glad you think so—very glad.
Hovstad.
It’s so clear and to the point. One doesn’t in the least need to be a specialist to understand the gist of it. I am certain every intelligent man will be on your side.
Aslaksen.
And all the prudent ones too, I hope?
Billing.
Both the prudent and imprudent—in fact, almost the whole town.
Aslaksen.
Then I suppose we may venture to print it.
Dr. Stockmann.
I should think so!
Hovstad.
It shall go in to-morrow.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, plague take it, not a day must be lost. Look here, Mr. Aslaksen, this is what I wanted to ask you: won’t you take personal charge of the article?
Aslaksen.
Certainly I will.
Dr. Stockmann.
Be as careful as if it were gold. No printers' errors; every word is important. I shall look in again presently; perhaps you’ll be able to let me see a proof.—Ah! I can’t tell you how I long to have the thing in print—to see it launched——
Billing.
Yes, like a thunderbolt!
Dr. Stockmann.
——and submitted to the judgment of every intelligent citizen. Oh, you have no idea what I have had to put up with to-day. I've been threatened with all sorts of things. I was to be robbed of my clearest rights as a human being——
Billing.
What! Your rights as a human being!
Dr. Stockmann.
——I was to humble myself, and eat the dust; I was to set my personal interests above my deepest, holiest convictions——
Billing.
Strike me dead, but that’s too outrageous![outrageous!]
Hovstad.
Oh, what can you expect from that quarter?
Dr. Stockmann.
But they shall find they were mistaken in me; they shall learn that in black and white, I promise them! I shall throw myself into the breach every day in the Messenger, bombard them with one explosive article after another——
Aslaksen.
Yes, but look here——
Billing.
Hurrah! It’s war! War!
Dr. Stockmann.
I shall smite them to the earth, I shall crush them, I shall level their entrenchments to the ground in the eyes of all right-thinking men! That’s what I shall do!
Aslaksen.
But above all things be temperate, Doctor; bombard with moderation——
Billing.
Not at all, not at all! Don’t spare the dynamite!
Dr. Stockmann.
[Going on imperturbably.] For now it’s no mere question of water-works and sewers, you see. No, the whole community must be purged, disinfected——
Billing.
There sounds the word of salvation!
Dr. Stockmann.
All the old bunglers must be sent packing, you understand. And that in every possible department! Such endless vistas have opened out before me to-day. I am not quite clear about everything yet, but I shall see my way presently. It’s young and vigorous standard-bearers we must look for, my friends; we must have new captains at all the outposts.
Billing.
Hear, hear!
Dr. Stockmann.
And if only we hold together, it will go so smoothly, so smoothly! The whole revolution will glide off the stocks just like a ship. Don’t you think so?
Hovstad.
For my part, I believe we have now every prospect of placing our municipal affairs in the right hands.
Aslaksen.
And if only we proceed with moderation, I really don’t think there can be any danger.
Dr. Stockmann.
Who the devil cares whether there’s danger or not! What I do, I do in the name of truth and for conscience' sake.
Hovstad.
You are a man to be backed up, Doctor.
Aslaksen.
Yes, there’s no doubt the Doctor is a true friend to the town; he’s what I call a friend of society.
Billing.
Strike me dead if Dr. Stockmann isn’t a Friend of the People, Aslaksen!
Aslaksen.
I have no doubt the House-owners' Association will soon adopt that expression.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Shaking their hands, deeply moved.] Thanks, thanks, my dear, faithful friends; it does me good to hear you. My respected brother called me something very different. Never mind! Trust me to pay him back with interest! But I must be off now to see a poor devil of a patient. I shall look in again, though. Be sure you look after the article, Mr. Aslaksen; and, whatever you do, don’t leave out any of my notes of exclamation! Rather put in a few more! Well, good-bye for the present, good-bye, good-bye.
[Mutual salutations while they accompany him to the door. He goes out.
Hovstad.
He will be invaluable to us.
Aslaksen.
Yes, so long as he confines himself to this matter of the Baths. But if he goes further, it will scarcely be advisable to follow him.
Hovstad.
H'm—that entirely depends on——
Billing.
You’re always so confoundedly timid, Aslaksen.
Aslaksen.
Timid? Yes, when it’s a question of attacking local authorities, I am timid, Mr. Billing; I have learnt caution in the school of experience, let me tell you. But start me on the higher politics, confront me with the Government itself, and then see if I'm timid.
Billing.
No, you’re not; but that’s just where your inconsistency comes in.
Aslaksen.
The fact is, I am keenly alive to my responsibilities. If you attack the Government, you at least do society no harm; for the men attacked don’t care a straw, you see—they stay where they are all the same. But local authorities can be turned out; and then we might get some incompetent set into power, to the irreparable injury both of house-owners and other people.
Hovstad.
But the education of citizens by self-government—do you never think of that?
Aslaksen.
When a man has solid interests to protect, he can’t think of everything, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad.
Then I hope I may never have solid interests to protect.
Billing.
Hear, hear!
Aslaksen.
[Smiling.] H'm! [Points to the desk.] Governor Stensgård[[10]] sat in that editorial chair before you.
Billing.
[Spitting.] Pooh! A turncoat like that!
Hovstad.
I am no weathercock—and never will be.
Aslaksen.
A politician should never be too sure of anything on earth, Mr. Hovstad. And as for you, Mr. Billing, you ought to take in a reef or two, I should say, now that you are applying for the secretaryship to the Town Council.
Billing.
I——!
Hovstad.
Is that so, Billing?
Billing.
Well, yes—but, deuce take it, you understand, I'm only doing it to spite their high-mightinesses.
Aslaksen.
Well, that has nothing to do with me. But if I am to be accused of cowardice and inconsistency, I should just like to point out this: My political record is open to every one. I have not changed at all, except in becoming more moderate. My heart still belongs to the people; but I don’t deny that my reason inclines somewhat towards the authorities—the local ones, I mean.
[Goes into the printing-room.]
Billing.
Don’t you think we should try to get rid of him, Hovstad?
Hovstad.
Do you know of any one else that will pay for our paper and printing?
Billing.
What a confounded nuisance it is to have no capital!
Hovstad.
[Sitting down by the desk.] Yes, if we only had that——
Billing.
Suppose you applied to Dr. Stockmann?
Hovstad.
[Turning over his papers.] What would be the good? He hasn’t a rap.
Billing.
No; but he has a good man behind him—old Morten Kiil—“The Badger,” as they call him.
Hovstad.
[Writing.] Are you so sure he has money?
Billing.
Yes, strike me dead if he hasn’t! And part of it must certainly go to Stockmann’s family. He’s bound to provide for—for the children at any rate.
Hovstad.
[Half turning.] Are you counting on that?
Billing.
Counting? How should I be counting on it?
Hovstad.
Best not! And that secretaryship you shouldn’t count on either; for I can assure you you won’t get it.
Billing.
Do you think I don’t know that? A refusal is the very thing I want. Such a rebuff fires the spirit of opposition in you, gives you a fresh supply of gall, as it were; and that’s just what you need in a god-forsaken hole like this, where anything really stimulating so seldom happens.
Hovstad.
[Writing.] Yes, yes.
Billing.
Well—they shall soon hear from me!—Now I'll go and write the appeal to the House-owners' Association. [Goes into the room on the right.
Hovstad.
[Sits at his desk, biting his penholder, and says slowly:] H'm—so that’s the way of it.—[A knock at the door.] Come in.
Petra enters from the back, left.
Hovstad.
[Rising.] What! Is it you? Here?
Petra.
Yes; please excuse me——
Hovstad.
[Offering her an arm-chair.] Won’t you sit down?
Petra.
No, thanks; I must go again directly.
Hovstad.
Perhaps you bring a message from your father——?
Petra.
No, I have come on my own account. [Takes a book from the pocket of her cloak.] Here is that English story.
Hovstad.
Why have you brought it back?
Petra.
Because I won’t translate it.
Hovstad.
But you promised——
Petra.
Yes; but then I hadn’t read it. I suppose you have not read it either?
Hovstad.
No; you know I can’t read English; but——
Petra.
Exactly; and that’s why I wanted to tell you that you must find something else. [Putting the book on the table.] This will never do for the Messenger.
Hovstad.
Why not?
Petra.
Because it flies in the face of all your convictions.
Hovstad.
Well, for that matter——
Petra.
You don’t understand me. It makes out that a supernatural power looks after the so-called good people in this world, and turns everything to their advantage at last; while all the so-called bad people are punished.
Hovstad.
Yes, but that’s all right. That’s the very thing the public like.
Petra.
And would you supply the public with such stuff? You don’t believe a word of it yourself. You know well enough that things do not really happen like that.
Hovstad.
Of course not; but an editor can’t always do as he likes. He has often to humour people’s fancies in minor matters. After all, politics is the chief thing in life—at any rate for a newspaper; and if I want the people to follow me along the path of emancipation and progress, I mustn’t scare them away. If they find a moral story like this down in the cellar,[[11]] they are all the more ready to take in what we tell them above—they feel themselves safer.
Petra.
For shame! You’re not such a hypocrite as to set traps like that for your readers. You’re not a spider.
Hovstad.
[Smiling.] Thanks for your good opinion. It’s true that the idea is Billing’s, not mine.
Petra.
Mr. Billing’s!
Hovstad.
Yes, at least he was talking in that strain the other day. It was Billing that was so anxious to get the story into the paper; I don’t even know the book.
Petra.
But how can Mr. Billing, with his advanced views——
Hovstad.
Well, Billing is many-sided. He’s applying for the secretaryship to the Town Council, I hear.
Petra.
I don’t believe that, Mr. Hovstad. How could he descend to such a thing?
Hovstad.
That you must ask him.
Petra.
I could never have thought it of Billing!
Hovstad.
[Looking more closely at her.] No? Is it such a surprise to you?
Petra.
Yes. And yet—perhaps not. Oh, I don’t know——
Hovstad.
We journalists are not worth much, Miss Petra.
Petra.
Do you really say that?
Hovstad.
I think so, now and then.
Petra.
Yes, in the little every-day squabbles—that I can understand. But now that you have taken up a great cause——
Hovstad.
You mean this affair of your father’s?
Petra.
Of course. I should think you must feel yourself worth more than the general run of people now.
Hovstad.
Yes, to-day I do feel something of the sort.
Petra.
Yes, surely you must. Oh, it’s a glorious career you have chosen! To be the pioneer of unrecognised truths and new and daring ways of thought!—even, if that were all, to stand forth fearlessly in support of an injured man——
Hovstad.
Especially when the injured man is—I hardly know how to put it——
Petra.
You mean when he is so upright and true?
Hovstad.
[In a low voice.] I mean—especially when he is your father.
Petra.
[Suddenly taken aback.] That?
Hovstad.
Yes, Petra—Miss Petra.
Petra.
So that is your chief thought, is it? Not the cause itself? Not the truth? Not father’s great, warm heart?
Hovstad.
Oh, that too, of course.
Petra.
No, thank you; you said too much that time, Mr. Hovstad. Now I shall never trust you again, in anything.
Hovstad.
Can you be so hard on me because it’s mainly for your sake——?
Petra.
What I blame you for is that you have not acted straightforwardly towards father. You have talked to him as if you cared only for the truth and the good of the community. You have trifled with both father and me. You are not the man you pretended to be. And that I will never forgive you—never.
Hovstad.
You shouldn’t say that so bitterly, Miss Petra—least of all now.
Petra.
Why not now?
Hovstad.
Because your father cannot do without my help.
Petra.
[Measuring him from head to foot.] So you are capable of that, too? Oh, shame!
Hovstad.
No, no. I spoke without thinking. You mustn’t believe that of me.
Petra.
I know what to believe. Good-bye.
Aslaksen enters from printing-room, hurriedly and mysteriously.
Aslaksen.
What do you think, Mr. Hovstad—[Seeing Petra.] Ow, that’s awkward——
Petra.
Well, there is the book. You must give it to some one else. [Going towards the main door.
Hovstad.
[Following her.] But, Miss Petra——
Petra.
Good-bye. [She goes.
Aslaksen.
I say, Mr. Hovstad!
Hovstad.
Well well; what is it?
Aslaksen.
The Burgomaster’s out there, in the printing-office.
Hovstad.
The Burgomaster?
Aslaksen.
Yes. He wants to speak to you; he came in by the back way—he didn’t want to be seen, you understand.
Hovstad.
What can be the meaning of this? Stop, I'll go myself——
[Goes towards the printing-room, opens the door, bows and invites the Burgomaster to enter.
Hovstad.
Keep a look-out, Aslaksen, that no one——
Aslaksen.
I understand. [Goes into the printing-room.
Burgomaster.
You didn’t expect to see me here, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad.
No, I cannot say that I did.
Burgomaster.
[Looking about him.] You are very comfortably installed here—capital quarters.
Hovstad.
Oh——
Burgomaster.
And here have I come, without with your leave or by your leave, to take up your time——
Hovstad.
You are very welcome, Burgomaster; I am at your service. Let me take your cap and stick. [He does so, and puts them on a chair.] And won’t you be seated?
Burgomaster.
[Sitting down by the table.] Thanks. [Hovstad also sits by the table.] I have been much—very much worried to-day, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad.
Really? Well, I suppose with all your various duties, Burgomaster——
Burgomaster.
It is the Doctor that has been causing me annoyance to-day.
Hovstad.
Indeed! The Doctor?
Burgomaster.
He has written a sort of memorandum to the Directors about some alleged shortcomings in the Baths.
Hovstad.
Has he really?
Burgomaster.
Yes; hasn’t he told you? I thought he said——
Hovstad.
Oh yes, by-the-bye, he did mention something——
Aslaksen.
[From the printing-office.] I've just come for the manuscript——
Hovstad.
[In a tone of vexation.] Oh!—there it is on the desk.
Aslaksen.
[Finding it.] All right.
Burgomaster.
Why, that is the very thing——
Aslaksen.
Yes, this is the Doctor’s article, Burgomaster.
Hovstad.
Oh, is that what you were speaking of?
Burgomaster.
Precisely. What do you think of it?
Hovstad.
I have no technical knowledge of the matter, and I've only glanced through it.
Burgomaster.
And yet you are going to print it!
Hovstad.
I can’t very well refuse a signed communication——
Aslaksen.
I have nothing to do with the editing of the paper, Burgomaster——
Burgomaster.
Of course not.
Aslaksen.
I merely print what is placed in my hands.
Burgomaster.
Quite right, quite right.
Aslaksen.
So I must—— [Goes towards the printing-room.
Burgomaster.
No, stop a moment, Mr. Aslaksen. With your permission, Mr. Hovstad——
Hovstad.
By all means, Burgomaster.
Burgomaster.
You are a discreet and thoughtful man, Mr. Aslaksen.
Aslaksen.
I am glad you think so, Burgomaster.
Burgomaster.
And a man of very wide influence.
Aslaksen.
Well—chiefly among the lower middle-class.
Burgomaster.
The small taxpayers form the majority—here as everywhere.
Aslaksen.
That’s very true.
Burgomaster.
And I have no doubt that you know the general feeling among them. Am I right?
Aslaksen.
Yes, I think I may say that I do, Burgomaster.
Burgomaster.
Well—since our townsfolk of the poorer class appear to be so heroically eager to make sacrifices——
Aslaksen.
How so?
Hovstad.
Sacrifices?
Burgomaster.
It is a pleasing evidence of public spirit—a most pleasing evidence. I admit it is more than I should quite have expected. But, of course, you know public feeling better than I do.
Aslaksen.
Yes but, Burgomaster——
Burgomaster.
And assuredly it is no small sacrifice the town will have to make.
Hovstad.
The town?
Aslaksen.
But I don’t understand——. It’s the Baths——
Burgomaster.
At a rough provisional estimate, the alterations the Doctor thinks desirable will come to two or three hundred thousand crowns.
Aslaksen.
That’s a lot of money; but——
Burgomaster.
Of course we shall be obliged to raise a municipal loan.
Hovstad.
[Rising.] You surely can’t mean that the town——?
Aslaksen.
Would you come upon the rates? Upon the scanty savings of the lower middle-class?
Burgomaster.
Why, my dear Mr. Aslaksen, where else are the funds to come from?
Aslaksen.
The proprietors of the Baths must see to that.
Burgomaster.
The proprietors are not in a position to go to any further expense.
Aslaksen.
Are you quite sure of that, Burgomaster?
Burgomaster.
I have positive information. So if these extensive alterations are called for, the town itself will have to bear the cost.
Aslaksen.
Oh, plague take it all—I beg your pardon!—but this is quite another matter, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad.
Yes, it certainly is.
Burgomaster.
The worst of it is, that we shall be obliged to close the establishment for a couple of years.
Hovstad.
To close it? Completely?
Aslaksen.
For two years!
Burgomaster.
Yes, the work will require that time—at least.
Aslaksen.
But, damn it all! we can’t stand that, Burgomaster. What are we house-owners to live on in the meantime?
Burgomaster.
It’s extremely difficult to say, Mr. Aslaksen. But what would you have us do? Do you think a single visitor will come here if we go about making them fancy that the water is poisoned, that the place is pestilential, that the whole town——
Aslaksen.
And it’s all nothing but fancy?
Burgomaster.
With the best will in the world, I have failed to convince myself that it is anything else.
Aslaksen.
In that case it’s simply inexcusable of Dr. Stockmann—I beg your pardon, Burgomaster, but——
Burgomaster.
I'm sorry to say you are only speaking the truth, Mr. Aslaksen. Unfortunately, my brother has always been noted for his rashness.
Aslaksen.
And yet you want to back him up in this, Mr. Hovstad!
Hovstad.
But who could possibly imagine that——?
Burgomaster.
I have drawn up a short statement of the facts, as they appear from a sober-minded standpoint; and I have intimated that any drawbacks that may possibly exist can no doubt be remedied by measures compatible with the finances of the Baths.
Hovstad.
Have you the article with you, Burgomaster?
Burgomaster.
[Feeling in his pockets.] Yes; I brought it with me, in case you——
Aslaksen.
[Quickly.] Plague take it, there he is!
Burgomaster.
Who? My brother?
Hovstad.
Where? where?
Aslaksen.
He’s coming through the composing-room.
Burgomaster.
Most unfortunate! I don’t want to meet him here, and yet there are several things I want to talk to you about.
Hovstad.
[Pointing to the door on the right.] Go in there for a moment.
Burgomaster.
But——?
Hovstad.
You’ll find nobody but Billing there.
Aslaksen.
Quick, quick, Burgomaster; he’s just coming.
Burgomaster.
Very well, then. But try to get rid of him quickly.
[He goes out by the door on the right, which Aslaksen opens, and closes behind him.
Hovstad.
Pretend to be busy, Aslaksen.
[He sits down and writes. Aslaksen turns over a heap of newspapers on a chair, right.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Entering from the composing-room.] Here I am, back again. [Puts down his hat and stick.]
Hovstad.
[Writing.] Already, Doctor? Make haste with what we were speaking of, Aslaksen. We’ve no time to lose to-day.
Dr. Stockmann.
[To Aslaksen.] No proof yet, I hear.
Aslaksen.
[Without turning round.] No; how could you expect it?
Dr. Stockmann.
Of course not; but you understand my impatience. I can have no rest or peace until I see the thing in print.
Hovstad.
H'm; it will take a good while yet. Don’t you think so, Aslaksen?
Aslaksen.
I'm afraid it will.
Dr. Stockmann.
All right, all right, my good friend; then I shall look in again. I'll look in twice if necessary. With so much at stake—the welfare of the whole town—one mustn’t grudge a little trouble. [Is on the point of going but stops and comes back.] Oh, by the way—there’s one other thing I must speak to you about.
Hovstad.
Excuse me; wouldn’t some other time——?
Dr. Stockmann.
I can tell you in two words. You see it’s this when people read my article in the paper tomorrow, and find I have spent the whole winter working quietly for the good of the town——
Hovstad.
Yes but, Doctor——
Dr. Stockmann.
I know what you’re going to say. You don’t think it was a bit more than my duty—my simple duty as a citizen. Of course I know that, as well as you do. But you see, my fellow townsmen—good Lord! the poor souls think so much of me——
Aslaksen.
Yes, the townspeople have hitherto thought very highly of you, Doctor.
Dr. Stockmann.
That’s exactly why I'm afraid that—. What I wanted to say was this: when all this comes to them—especially to the poorer classes—as a summons to take the affairs of the town into their own hands for the future——
Hovstad.
[Rising.] H'm, Doctor, I won’t conceal from you——
Dr. Stockmann.
Aha! I thought there was something brewing! But I won’t hear of it. If they are getting up anything of that sort——
Hovstad.
Of what sort?
Dr. Stockmann.
Well, anything of any sort—a procession with banners, or a banquet, or a subscription for a testimonial, or whatever it may be—you must give me your solemn promise to put a stop to it. And you too, Mr. Aslaksen; do you hear?
Hovstad.
Excuse me, Doctor; we may as well tell you the whole truth first as last——
Mrs. Stockmann enters from the back, left.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Seeing the Doctor.] Ah! just as I thought.[thought.]
Hovstad.
[Going towards her.] Mrs. Stockmann, too?
Dr. Stockmann.
What the devil do you want here, Katrina?
Mrs. Stockmann.
You know very well what I want.[want.]
Hovstad.
Won’t you sit down? Or perhaps——
Mrs. Stockmann.
Thanks, please don’t trouble. And you must forgive my following my husband here; remember, I am the mother of three children.
Dr. Stockmann.
Stuff and nonsense! We all know that well enough.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Well, it doesn’t look as if you thought very much about your wife and children to-day, or you wouldn’t be so ready to plunge us all into ruin.
Dr. Stockmann.
Are you quite mad, Katrina! Has a man with a wife and children no right to proclaim the truth? Has he no right to be an active and useful citizen? Has he no right to do his duty by the town he lives in?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Everything in moderation, Thomas!
Aslaksen.
That’s just what I say. Moderation in everything.
Mrs. Stockmann.
You are doing us a great wrong, Mr. Hovstad, in enticing my husband away from house and home, and befooling him in this way.
Hovstad.
I am not befooling any one——
Dr. Stockmann.
Befooling! Do you think I should let myself be befooled?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Yes, that’s just what you do. I know very well that you are the cleverest man in the town; but you’re very easily made a fool of, Thomas. [To Hovstad.] Remember that he loses his post at the Baths if you print what he has written——
Aslaksen.
What!
Hovstad[Hovstad].
Well now, really, Doctor——
Dr. Stockmann.
[Laughing.] Ha ha! just let them try—! No no, my dear, they’ll think twice about that. I have the compact majority behind me, you see!
Mrs. Stockmann.
That’s just the misfortune, that you should have such a horrid thing behind you.
Dr. Stockmann.
Nonsense, Katrina;—you go home and look after your house, and let me take care of society. How can you be in such a fright when you see me so confident and happy? [Rubbing his hands and walking up and down.] Truth and the People must win the day; you may be perfectly sure of that. Oh! I can see all our free-souled citizens standing shoulder to shoulder like a conquering army——! [Stopping by a chair.] Why, what the devil is that?
Aslaksen.
[Looking at it.] Oh Lord!
Hovstad.
[The same.] H'm—
Dr. Stockmann.
Why, here’s the top-knot of authority!
[He takes the Burgomaster’s official cap carefully between the tips of his fingers and holds it up.
Mrs. Stockmann.
The Burgomaster’s cap!
Dr. Stockmann.
And here’s the staff of office, too! But how in the devil’s name did they——?
Hovstad.
Well then——
Dr. Stockmann.
Ah, I understand! He has been here to talk you over. Ha, ha! He reckoned without his host that time! And when he caught sight of me in the printing-room—[Bursts out laughing.]—he took to his heels, eh, Mr. Aslaksen?
Aslaksen.
[Hurriedly.] Exactly; he took to his heels, Doctor.
Dr. Stockmann.
Made off without his stick and——. No, that won’t do! Peter never left anything behind him. But where the devil have you stowed him? Ah—in here, of course. Now you shall see, Katrina!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Thomas—I implore you——!
Aslaksen.
Take care, Doctor!
[Dr. Stockmann has put on the Burgomaster’s cap and grasped his stick; he now goes up to the door, throws it open, and makes a military salute.
The Burgomaster enters, red with anger. Behind him comes Billing.
Burgomaster.
What is the meaning of these antics?
Dr. Stockmann.
Respect, my good Peter! Now, it’s I that am in power in this town.
[He struts up and down.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Almost in tears.] Oh, Thomas!
Burgomaster.
[Following him.] Give me my cap and stick!
Dr. Stockmann.
[As before.] You may be Chief of Police, but I am Burgomaster. I am master of the whole town I tell you!
Burgomaster.
Put down my cap, I say. Remember it is an official cap, as by law prescribed!
Dr. Stockmann.
Pshaw! Do you think the awakening lion of the democracy will let itself be scared by a gold-laced cap? There’s to be a revolution in the town to-morrow, let me tell you. You threatened me with dismissal; but now I dismiss you—dismiss you from all your offices of trust—. You think I can’t do it?—Oh, yes, I can! I have the irresistible forces of society on my side. Hovstad and Billing will thunder in the People’s Messenger, and Aslaksen will take the field at the head of the House-owners' Association——
Aslaksen.
No, Doctor, I shall not.
Dr. Stockmann.
Why, of course you will——
Burgomaster.
Aha! Perhaps Mr. Hovstad would like to join the agitation after all?
Hovstad.
No, Burgomaster.
Aslaksen.
No, Mr. Hovstad isn’t such a fool as to ruin both himself and the paper for the sake of a delusion.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Looking about him.] What does all this mean?
Hovstad.
You have presented your case in a false light, Doctor; therefore I am unable to give you my support.
Billing.
And after what the Burgomaster has been so kind as to explain to me, I——
Dr. Stockmann.
In a false light! Well, I am responsible for that. Just you print my article, and I promise you I shall prove it up to the hilt.
Hovstad.
I shall not print it. I cannot, and will not, and dare not print it.
Dr. Stockmann.
You dare not? What nonsense is this? You are editor; and I suppose it’s the editor that controls a paper.
Aslaksen.
No, it’s the subscribers, Doctor.
Burgomaster.
Fortunately.
Aslaksen.
It’s public opinion, the enlightened majority, the house-owners and all the rest. It’s they who control a paper.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Calmly.] And all these powers I have against me?
Aslaksen.
Yes, you have. It would mean absolute ruin for the town if your article were inserted.
Dr. Stockmann.
So that is the way of it!
Burgomaster.
My hat and stick!
[Dr. Stockmann takes off the cap and lays it on the table along with the stick.
Burgomaster.
[Taking them both.] Your term of office has come to an untimely end.
Dr. Stockmann.
The end is not yet. [To Hovstad.] So you are quite determined not to print my article in the Messenger?
Hovstad.
Quite; for the sake of your family, if for no other reason.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Oh, be kind enough to leave his family out of the question, Mr. Hovstad.
Burgomaster.
[Takes a manuscript from his pocket.] When this appears, the public will be in possession of all necessary information; it is an authentic statement. I place it in your hands.
Hovstad.
[Taking the MS.] Good. It shall appear in due course.
Dr. Stockmann.
And not mine! You imagine you can kill me and the truth by a conspiracy of silence! But it won’t be so easy as[as] you think. Mr. Aslaksen, will you be good enough to print my article at once, as a pamphlet? I'll pay for it myself, and be my own publisher. I'll have four hundred copies—no, five—six hundred.
Aslaksen.
No. If you offered me its weight in gold, I dare not lend my press to such a purpose, Doctor. I daren’t fly in the face of public opinion. You won’t get it printed anywhere in the whole town.
Dr. Stockmann.
Then give it me back.
Hovstad.
[Handing him the MS.] By all means.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Taking up his hat and cane.] It shall be made public all the same. I shall read it at a great mass meeting; all my fellow citizens shall hear the voice of truth!
Burgomaster.
Not a single society in the town would let you their hall for such a purpose.
Aslaksen.
Not one, I'm quite certain.
Billing.
No, strike me dead if they would!
Mrs. Stockmann.
That would be too disgraceful! Why do they turn against you like this, every one of them?
Dr. Stockmann.
[Irritated.] I'll tell you why. It’s[It’s] because in this town all the men are old women—like you. They all think of nothing but their families, not of the general good.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Taking his arm.] Then I'll show them that an—an old woman can be a man for once in a way. For now I'll stand by you, Thomas.
Dr. Stockmann.
Bravely said, Katrina! I swear by my soul and conscience the truth shall out! If they won’t let me a hall, I'll hire a drum and march through the town with it; and I'll read my paper at every street corner.
Burgomaster.
You can scarcely be such a raving lunatic as that?
Dr. Stockmann.
I am.
Aslaksen.
You would not get a single man in the whole town to go with you.
Billing.
No, strike me dead if you would!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Don’t give in, Thomas. I'll ask the boys to go with you.
Dr. Stockmann.
That’s a splendid idea!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Morten will be delighted; and Eilif will go too, I daresay.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, and so will Petra! And you yourself, Katrina!
Mrs. Stockmann.
No no, not I. But I'll stand at the window and watch you—that I will.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Throwing his arms about her and kissing her.] Thank you for that! Now, my good sirs, we’re ready for the fight! Now we shall see whether your despicable tactics can stop the mouth of the patriot who wants to purge society!
[He and his wife go out together by the door in the back, left.
Burgomaster.
[Shaking his head dubiously.] Now he has turned her head too!