[At the door.] I must have the right to look my boys in the face when they have grown into free men. [Goes into his room.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Bursts into tears.] Ah, God help us all!
Petra.
Father is true to the core. He will never give in!
[The boys ask wonderingly what it all means; Petra signs to them to be quiet.
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.