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.