AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. PLAY IN FIVE ACTS.
Reading edition
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.
4Billing.
[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?
5Burgomaster.
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——
6Hovstad.
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 7public 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.
8Burgomaster.
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.
9Burgomaster.
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 10people 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——
11Dr. 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 12as 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.
13Burgomaster.
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.
14Dr. 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.
15Dr. 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?
16Dr. 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, 17more 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.
18Mrs. 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.
19Dr. 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 20journey 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.
21Horster.
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——
22Dr. 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——
23Dr. 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 24to 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.
25Petra.
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.
26Mrs. 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.
27Mrs. 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.
28Hovstad.
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.
29Dr. 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——
30Billing.
“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 31feed-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 32to 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?
33Dr. 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.
34Dr. 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.
35Dr. 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!
36Hovstad 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.
37
ACT SECOND.
The Doctor’s sitting-room. The dining-room door is closed. Morning.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Enters from the dining-room with a sealed letter in her hand, goes to the foremost door on the right, and peeps in.] Are you there, Thomas?
Dr. Stockmann.
[Within.] Yes, I have just come in. [Enters.] What is it?
Mrs. Stockmann.
A letter from your brother. [Hands it to him.
Dr. Stockmann.
Aha, let us see. [Opens the envelope and reads.] “The MS. sent me is returned herewith——” [Reads on, mumbling to himself.] H'm—
Mrs. Stockmann.
Well, what does he say?
Dr. Stockmann.
[Putting the paper in his pocket.] Nothing; only that he’ll come up himself about midday.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Then be sure you remember to stay at home.
38Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, I can easily manage that; I've finished my morning’s visits.
Mrs. Stockmann.
I am very curious to know how he takes it.
Dr. Stockmann.
You’ll see he won’t be over-pleased that it is I that have made the discovery, and not he himself.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Ah, that’s just what I'm afraid of.
Dr. Stockmann.
Of course at bottom he’ll be glad. But still—Peter is damnably unwilling that any one but himself should do anything for the good of the town.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Do you know, Thomas, I think you might stretch a point, and share the honour with him. Couldn’t it appear that it was he that put you on the track——?
Dr. Stockmann.
By all means, for aught I care. If only I can get things put straight——
Old Morten Kiil puts his head in at the hall door, and asks slyly:
Morten Kiil.
Is it—is it true?
39Mrs. Stockmann.
[Going towards him.] Father—is that you?
Dr. Stockmann.
Hallo, father-in-law! Good morning, good morning.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Do come in.
Morten Kiil.
Yes, if it’s true; if not, I'm off again.
Dr. Stockmann.
If what is true?
Morten Kiil.
This crazy business about the water-works. Now, is it true?
Dr. Stockmann.
Why, of course it is. But how came you to hear of it?
Morten Kiil.
[Coming in.] Petra looked in on her way to the school——
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, did she?
Morten Kiil.
Ay ay—and she told me—. I thought she was only making game of me; but that’s not like Petra either.
Dr. Stockmann.
No, indeed; how could you think so?
40Morten Kiil.
Oh, you can never be sure of anybody. You may be made a fool of before you know where you are. So it is true, after all?
Dr. Stockmann.
Most certainly it is. Do sit down, father-in-law. [Forces him down on the sofa.] Now isn’t it a real blessing for the town——?
Morten Kiil.
[Suppressing his laughter.] A blessing for the town?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, that I made this discovery in time——
Morten Kiil.
[As before.] Ay, ay, ay!—Well, I could never have believed that you would play monkey-tricks with your very own brother.
Dr. Stockmann.
Monkey-tricks!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Why, father dear——
Morten Kiil.
[Resting his hands and chin on the top of his stick and blinking slyly at the Doctor.] What was it again? Wasn’t it that some animals had got into the water-pipes?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes; infusorial animals.
Morten Kiil.
And any number of these animals had got in, Petra said—whole swarms of them.
41Dr. Stockmann.
Certainly; hundreds of thousands.
Morten Kiil.
But no one can see them—isn’t that it?
Dr. Stockmann.
Quite right; no one can see them.
Morten Kiil.
[With a quiet, chuckling laugh.] I'll be damned if that isn’t the best thing I've heard of you yet.
Dr. StockmannStockmann.
What do you mean?
Morten Kiil.
But you’ll never in this world make the Burgomaster take in anything of the sort.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well, that we shall see.
Morten Kiil.
Do you really think he’ll be so crazy?
Dr. Stockmann.
I hope the whole town will be so crazy.
Morten Kiil.
The whole town! Well, I don’t say but it may. But it serves them right; it’ll teach them a lesson. They wanted to be so much cleverer than we old fellows. They hounded me out of the Town Council. Yes; I tell you they hounded me out like a dog, that they did. But now it’s 42their turn. Just you keep up the game with them, Stockmann.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, but, father-in-law——
Morten Kiil.
Keep it up, I say. [Rising.] If you can make the Burgomaster and his gang eat humble pie, I'll give a hundred crowns straight away to the poor.
Dr. Stockmann.
Come, that’s good of you.
Morten Kiil.
Of course I've little enough to throw away; but if you can manage that, I shall certainly remember the poor at Christmas-time, to the tune of fifty crowns.
Hovstad enters from hall.
Hovstad.
Good morning! [Pausing.] Oh! I beg your pardon——
Dr. Stockmann.
Not at all. Come in, come in.
Morten Kiil.
[Chuckling again.] He! Is he in it too?
Hovstad.
What do you mean?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, of course he is.
43Morten Kiil.
I might have known it! It’s to go into the papers. Ah, you’re the one, Stockmann! Do you two lay your heads together; I'm off.
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh no; don’t go yet, father-in-law.
Morten Kiil.
No, I'm off now. Play them all the monkey-tricks you can think of. Deuce take me but you shan’t lose by it.
[He goes, Mrs. Stockmann accompanying him.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Laughing.] What do you think—? The old fellow doesn’t believe a word of all this about the water-works.
Hovstad.
Was that what he——?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes; that was what we were talking about. And I daresay you have come on the same business?
Hovstad.
Yes. Have you a moment to spare, Doctor?
Dr. Stockmann.
As many as you like, my dear fellow.
Hovstad.
Have you heard anything from the Burgomaster?
44Dr. Stockmann.
Not yet. He’ll be here presently.
Hovstad.
I have been thinking the matter over since last evening.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well?
Hovstad.
To you, as a doctor and a man of science, this business of the water-works appears an isolated affair. I daresay it hasn’t occurred to you that a good many other things are bound up with it?
Dr. Stockmann.
Indeed! In what way? Let us sit down, my dear fellow.—No; there, on the sofa.
[Hovstad sits on sofa; the Doctor in an easy-chair on the other side of the table.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well, so you think——?
Hovstad.
You said yesterday that the water is polluted by impurities in the soil.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, undoubtedly; the mischief comes from that poisonous swamp up in the Mill Dale.
Hovstad.
Excuse me, Doctor, but I think it comes from a very different swamp.
45Dr. Stockmann.
What swamp may that be?
Hovstad.
The swamp in which our whole municipal life is rotting.
Dr. Stockmann.
The devil, Mr. Hovstad! What notion is this you’ve got hold of?
Hovstad.
All the affairs of the town have gradually drifted into the hands of a pack of bureaucrats——
Dr. Stockmann.
Come now, they’re not all bureaucrats.
Hovstad.
No; but those who are not are the friends and adherents of those who are. We are entirely under the thumb of a ring of wealthy men, men of old family and position in the town.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, but they are also men of ability and insight.
Hovstad.
Did they show ability and insight when they laid the water-pipes where they are?
Dr. Stockmann.
No; that, of course, was a piece of stupidity. But that will be set right now.
Hovstad.
Do you think it will go so smoothly?
46Dr. Stockmann.
Well, smoothly or not, it will have to be done.
Hovstad.
Yes, if the press exerts its influence.
Dr. Stockmann.
Not at all necessary, my dear fellow; I am sure my brother——
Hovstad.
Excuse me, Doctor, but I must tell you that I think of taking the matter up.
Dr. Stockmann.
In the paper?
Hovstad.
Yes. When I took over the People’s Messenger, I was determined to break up the ring of obstinate old blockheads who held everything in their hands.
Dr. Stockmann.
But you told me yourself what came of it. You nearly ruined the paper.
Hovstad.
Yes, at that time we had to draw in our horns, that’s true enough. The whole Bath scheme might have fallen through if these men had been sent about their business. But now the Baths are an accomplished fact, and we can get on without these august personages.
Dr. Stockmann.
Get on without them, yes; but still we owe them a great deal.
47Hovstad.
The debt shall be duly acknowledged. But a journalist of my democratic tendencies cannot let such an opportunity slip through his fingers. We must explode the tradition of official infallibility. That rubbish must be got rid of, like every other superstition.
Dr. Stockmann.
There I am with you with all my heart, Mr. Hovstad. If it’s a superstition, away with it!
Hovstad.
I should be sorry to attack the Burgomaster, as he is your brother. But I know you think with me—the truth before all other considerations.
Dr. Stockmann.
Why, of course. [Vehemently.] But still—! but still——!
Hovstad.
You mustn’t think ill of me. I am neither more self-interested nor more ambitious than other men.
Dr. Stockmann.
Why, my dear fellow—who says you are?
Hovstad.
I come of humble folk, as you know; and I have had ample opportunities of seeing what the lower classes really require. And that is to have a share in the direction of public affairs, Doctor. That is what develops ability and knowledge and self-respect——
Dr. Stockmann.
I understand that perfectly.
48Hovstad.
Yes; and I think a journalist incurs a heavy responsibility if he lets slip a chance of helping to emancipate the downtrodden masses. I know well enough that our oligarchy will denounce me as an agitator, and so forth; but what do I care? If only my conscience is clear, I——
Dr. Stockmann.
Just so, just so, my dear Mr. Hovstad. But still—deuce take it——! [A knock at the door.] Come in!
Aslaksen, the printer, appears at the door leading to the hall. He is humbly but respectably dressed in black, wears a white necktie, slightly crumpled, and has a silk hat and gloves in his hand.
Aslaksen.
[Bowing.] I beg pardon, Doctor, for making so bold——
Dr. Stockmann.
[Rising.] Hallo! If it isn’t Mr. Aslaksen!
Aslaksen.
Yes, it’s me, Doctor.
Hovstad.
[Rising.] Is it me you want, Aslaksen?
Aslaksen.
No, not at all. I didn’t know you were here. No, it’s the Doctor himself——
Dr. Stockmann.
Well, what can I do for you?
49Aslaksen.
Is it true, what Mr. Billing tells me, that you’re going to get us a better set of water-works?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, for the Baths.
Aslaksen.
Of course, of course. Then I just looked in to say that I'll back up the movement with all my might.
Hovstad.
[To the Doctor.] You see!
Dr. Stockmann.
I'm sure I thank you heartily; but——
Aslaksen.
You may find it no such bad thing to have us small middle-class men at your back. We form what you may call a compact majority in the town—when we really make up our minds, that’s to say. And it’s always well to have the majority with you, Doctor.
Dr. Stockmann.
No doubt, no doubt; but I can’t conceive that any special measures will be necessary in this case. I should think in so clear and straightforward a matter——
Aslaksen.
Yes, but all the same, it can do no harm. I know the local authorities very well—the powers that be are not over ready to adopt suggestions from outsiders. So I think it wouldn’t be amiss if we made some sort of a demonstration.
50Hovstad.
Precisely my opinion.
Dr. Stockmann.
A demonstration, you say? But in what way would you demonstrate?
Aslaksen.
Of course with great moderation, Doctor. I always insist upon moderation; for moderation is a citizen’s first virtue—at least that’s my way of thinking.
Dr. Stockmann.
We all know that, Mr. Aslaksen.
Aslaksen.
Yes, I think my moderation is generally recognised. And this affair of the water-works is very important for us small middle-class men. The Baths bid fair to become, as you might say, a little gold-mine for the town. We shall all have to live by the Baths, especially we house-owners. So we want to support the Baths all we can; and as I am Chairman of the House-owners' Association——
Dr. Stockmann.
Well——?
Aslaksen.
And as I'm an active worker for the Temperance[9] Society—of course you know, Doctor, that I'm a temperance man?
Dr. Stockmann.
To be sure, to be sure.
51Aslaksen.
Well, you’ll understand that I come in contact with a great many people. And as I'm known to be a prudent and law-abiding citizen, as you yourself remarked, Doctor, I have a certain influence in the town, and hold some power in my hands—though I say it that shouldn’t.
Dr. Stockmann.
I know that very well, Mr. Aslaksen.
Aslaksen.
Well then, you see—it would be easy for me to get up an address, if it came to a pinch.
Dr. Stockmann.
An address?
Aslaksen.
Yes, a kind of vote of thanks to you, from the citizens of the town, for your action in a matter of such general concern. Of course it will have to be drawn up with all fitting moderation, so as to give no offence to the authorities and parties in power. But so long as we’re careful about that, no one can take it ill, I should think.
Hovstad.
Well, even if they didn’t particularly like it——
Aslaksen.
No no no; no offence to the powers that be, Mr. Hovstad. No opposition to people that can take it out of us again so easily. I've had enough of that in my time; no good ever comes of it. But no one can object to the free but temperate expression of a citizen’s opinion.
52Dr. Stockmann.
[Shaking his hand.] I can’t tell you, my dear Mr. Aslaksen, how heartily it delights me to find so much support among my fellow townsmen. I'm so happy—so happy! Come, you’ll have a glass of sherry? Eh?
Aslaksen.
No, thank you; I never touch spirituous liquors.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well, then, a glass of beer—what do you say to that?
Aslaksen.
Thanks, not that either, Doctor. I never take anything so early in the day. And now I'll be off round the town, and talk to some of the house-owners, and prepare public opinion.
Dr. Stockmann.
It’s extremely kind of you, Mr. Aslaksen; but I really cannot get it into my head that all these preparations are necessary. The affair seems to me so simple and self-evident.
Aslaksen.
The authorities always move slowly, Doctor—God forbid I should blame them for it——
Hovstad.
We’ll stir them up in the paper to-morrow, Aslaksen.
Aslaksen.
No violence, Mr. Hovstad. Proceed with moderation, or you’ll do nothing with them. Take 53my advice; I've picked up experience in the school of life.—And now I'll say good morning, Doctor. You know now that at least you have us small middle-class men behind you, solid as a wall. You have the compact majority on your side, Doctor.
Dr. Stockmann.
Many thanks, my dear Mr. Aslaksen. [Holds out his hand.] Good-bye, good-bye.
Aslaksen.
Are you coming to the office, Mr. Hovstad?
Hovstad.
I shall come on presently. I have still one or two things to arrange.
Aslaksen.
Very well.
[Bows and goes. Dr. Stockmann accompanies him into the hall.
Hovstad.
[As the Doctor re-enters.] Well, what do you say to that, Doctor? Don’t you think it is high time we should give all this weak-kneed, half-hearted cowardice a good shaking up?
Dr. Stockmann.
Are you speaking of Aslaksen?
Hovstad.
Yes, I am. He’s a decent enough fellow, but he’s one of those who are sunk in the swamp. And most people here are just like him; they are for ever wavering and wobbling from side to side; 54what with scruples and misgivings, they never dare advance a step.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, but Aslaksen seems to me thoroughly well-intentioned.
Hovstad.
There is one thing I value more than good intentions, and that is an attitude of manly self-reliance.
Dr. Stockmann.
There I am quite with you.
Hovstad.
So I am going to seize this opportunity, and try whether I can’t for once put a little grit into their good intentions. The worship of authority must be rooted up in this town. This gross, inexcusable blunder of the waterworks must be brought home clearly to every voter.
Dr. Stockmann.
Very well. If you think it’s for the good of the community, so be it; but not till I have spoken to my brother.
Hovstad.
At all events, I shall be writing my leader in the meantime. And if the Burgomaster won’t take the matter up——
Dr. Stockmann.
But how can you conceive his refusing?
Hovstad.
Oh, it’s not inconceivable. And then——
55Dr. Stockmann.
Well then, I promise you—; look here—in that case you may print my paper—put it in just as it is.
Hovstad.
May I? Is that a promise?
Dr. Stockmann.
[Handing him the manuscript.] There it is; take it with you. You may as well read it in any case; you can return it to me afterwards.
Hovstad.
Very good; I shall do so. And now, good-bye, Doctor.
Dr. Stockmann.
Good-bye, good-bye. You’ll see it will all go smoothly, Mr. Hovstad—as smoothly as possible.
Hovstad.
H'm—we shall see.
[Bows and goes out through the hall.
*/
Dr. Stockmann.
[Going to the dining-room door and looking in.] Katrina! Hallo! are you back, Petra?
Petra.
[Entering.] Yes, I've just got back from school.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Entering.] Hasn’t he been here yet?
Dr. Stockmann.
Peter? No; but I have been having a long 56talk with Hovstad. He’s quite enthusiastic about my discovery. It turns out to be of much wider import than I thought at first. So he has placed his paper at my disposal, if I should require it.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Do you think you will?
Dr. Stockmann.
Not I! But at the same time, one cannot but be proud to know that the enlightened, independent press is on one’s side. And what do you think? I have had a visit from the Chairman of the House-owners' Association too.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Really? What did he want?
Dr. Stockmann.
To assure me of his support. They will all stand by me at a pinch. Katrina, do you know what I have behind me?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Behind you? No. What have you behind you?
Dr. Stockmann.
The compact majority!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Oh! Is that good for you, Thomas?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, indeed; I should think it was good. [Rubbing his hands as he walks up and down.] Great 57God! what a delight it is to feel oneself in such brotherly unison with one’s fellow townsmen?
Petra.
And to do so much that’s good and useful, father!
Dr. Stockmann.
And all for one’s native town, too!
Mrs. Stockmann.
There’s the bell.
Dr. Stockmann.
That must be he. [Knock at the door.] Come in!
Enter Burgomaster Stockmann from the hall.
Burgomaster.
Good morning.
Dr. Stockmann.
I'm glad to see you, Peter.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Good morning, brother-in-law. How are you?
Burgomaster.
Oh, thanks, so-so. [To the Doctor.] Yesterday evening, after office hours, I received from you a dissertation upon the state of the water at the Baths.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes. Have you read it?
Burgomaster.
I have.
58Dr. Stockmann.
And what do you think of the affair?
Burgomaster.
H'm— [With a sidelong glance.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Come, Petra.
[She and Petra go into the room on the left.
Burgomaster.
[After a pause.] Was it necessary to make all these investigations behind my back?
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, till I was absolutely certain, I——
Burgomaster.
And are you absolutely certain now?
Dr. Stockmann.
My paper must surely have convinced you of that.
Burgomaster.
Is it your intention to submit this statement to the Board of Directors, as a sort of official document?
Dr. Stockmann.
Of course. Something must be done in the matter, and that promptly.
Burgomaster.
As usual, you use very strong expressions in your statement. Amongst other things, you say that what we offer our visitors is a slow poison.
59Dr. Stockmann.
Why, Peter, what else can it be called? Only think—poisoned water both internally and externally! And that to poor invalids who come to us in all confidence, and pay us handsomely to cure them!
Burgomaster.
And then you announce as your conclusion that we must build a sewer to carry off the alleged impurities from the Mill Dale, and must re-lay all the water-pipes.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes. Can you suggest any other plan?—I know of none.
Burgomaster.
I found a pretext for looking in at the town engineer’s this morning, and—in a half-jesting way—I mentioned these alterations as things we might possibly have to consider, at some future time.
Dr. Stockmann.
At some future time!
Burgomaster.
Of course he smiled at what he thought my extravagance. Have you taken the trouble to think what your proposed alterations would cost? From what the engineer said, I gathered that the expenses would probably mount up to several hundred thousand crowns.
Dr. Stockmann.
So much as that?
60Burgomaster.
Yes. But that is not the worst. The work would take at least two years.
Dr. Stockmann.
Two years! Do you mean to say two whole years?
Burgomaster.
At least. And what are we to do with the Baths in the meanwhile? Are we to close them? We should have no alternative. Do you think any one would come here, if it got abroad that the water was pestilential?
Dr. Stockmann.
But, Peter, that’s precisely what it is.
Burgomaster.
And all this now, just now, when the Baths are doing so well! Neighbouring towns, too, are not without their claims to rank as health-resorts. Do you think they would not at once set to work to divert the full stream of visitors to themselves? Undoubtedly they would; and we should be left stranded. We should probably have to give up the whole costly undertaking; and so you would have ruined your native town.
Dr. Stockmann.
I—ruined——!
Burgomaster.
It is only through the Baths that the town has any future worth speaking of. You surely know that as well as I do.
61Dr. Stockmann.
Then what do you think should be done?
Burgomaster.
I have not succeeded in convincing myself that the condition of the water at the Baths is as serious as your statement represents.
Dr. Stockmann.
I tell you it’s if anything worse—or will be in the summer, when the hot weather sets in.
Burgomaster.
I repeat that I believe you exaggerate greatly. A competent physician should know what measures to take—he should be able to obviate deleterious influences, and to counteract them in case they should make themselves unmistakably felt.
Dr. Stockmann.
Indeed—? And then—?
Burgomaster.
The existing water-works are, once for all, a fact, and must naturally be treated as such. But when the time comes, the Directors will probably not be indisposed to consider whether it may not be possible, without unreasonable pecuniary sacrifices, to introduce certain improvements.
Dr. Stockmann.
And do you imagine I could ever be a party to such dishonesty?
Burgomaster.
Dishonesty?
62Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, it would be dishonesty—a fraud, a lie, an absolute crime against the public, against society as a whole!
Burgomaster.
I have not, as I before remarked, been able to convince myself that there is really any such imminent danger.
Dr. Stockmann.
You have! You must have! I know that my demonstration is absolutely clear and convincing. And you understand it perfectly, Peter, only you won’t admit it. It was you who insisted that both the Bath-buildings and the water-works should be placed where they now are; and it’s that—it’s that damned blunder that you won’t confess. Pshaw! Do you think I don’t see through you?
Burgomaster.
And even itAnd even it were so? If I do watch over my reputation with a certain anxiety, I do it for the good of the town. Without moral authority I cannot guide and direct affairs in the way I consider most conducive to the general welfare. Therefore—and on various other grounds—it is of great moment to me that your statement should not be submitted to the Board of Directors. It must be kept back, for the good of the community. Later on I will bring up the matter for discussion, and we will do the best we can, quietly; but not a word, not a whisper, of this unfortunate business must come to the public ears.
Dr. Stockmann.
But it can’t be prevented now, my dear Peter.
63Burgomaster.
It must and shall be prevented.
Dr. Stockmann.
It can’t be, I tell you; far too many people know about it already.
Burgomaster.
Know about it! Who? Surely not those fellows on the People’s Messenger——?
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh yes; they know. The liberal, independent press will take good care that you do your duty.
Burgomaster.
[After a short pause.] You are an amazingly reckless man, Thomas. Have not you reflected what the consequences of this may be to yourself?
Dr. Stockmann.
Consequences?—Consequences to me?
Burgomaster.
Yes—to you and yours.
Dr. Stockmann.
What the devil do you mean?
Burgomaster.
I believe I have always shown myself ready and willing to lend you a helping hand.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, you have, and I thank you for it.
Burgomaster.
I ask for no thanks. Indeed, I was in some 64measure forced to act as I did—for my own sake. I always hoped I should be able to keep you a little in check, if I helped to improve your pecuniary position.
Dr. Stockmann.
What! So it was only for your own sake——!
Burgomaster.
In a measure, I say. It is painful for a man in an official position, when his nearest relative goes and compromises himself time after time.
Dr. Stockmann.
And you think I do that?
Burgomaster.
Yes, unfortunately, you do, without knowing it. Yours is a turbulent, unruly, rebellious spirit. And then you have an unhappy propensity for rushing into print upon every possible and impossible occasion. You no sooner hit upon an idea than you must needs write a newspaper article or a whole pamphletpamphlet about it.
Dr. Stockmann.
Isn’t it a citizen’s duty, when he has conceived a new idea, to communicate it to the public!
Burgomaster.
Oh, the public has no need for new ideas. The public gets on best with the good old recognised ideas it has already.
Dr. Stockmann.
You say that right out!
65Burgomaster.
Yes, I must speak frankly to you for once. Hitherto I have tried to avoid it, for I know how irritable you are; but now I must tell you the truth, Thomas. You have no conception how much you injure yourself by your officiousness. You complain of the authorities, ay, of the Government itself—you cry them down and maintain that you have been slighted, persecuted. But what else can you expect, with your impossible disposition?
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, indeed! So I am impossible, am I?
Burgomaster.
Yes, Thomas, you are an impossible man to work with. I know that from experience. You have no consideration for any one or any thing; you seem quite to forget that you have me to thank for your position as medical officer of the Baths——
Dr. Stockmann.
It was mine by right! Mine, and no one else’s! I was the first to discover the town’s capabilities as a watering-place; I saw them, and, at that time, I alone. For years I fought single-handed for this idea of mine; I wrote and wrote——
Burgomaster.
No doubt; but then the right time had not come. Of course, in that out-of-the-world corner, you could not judge of that. As soon as the propitious moment arrived, I—and others—took the matter in hand——
66Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, and you went and bungled the whole of my glorious plan. Oh, we see now what a set of wiseacres you were!
Burgomaster.
All I can see is that you are again seeking an outlet for your pugnacity. You want to make an onslaught on your superiors—that is an old habit of yours. You cannot endure any authority over you; you look askance at any one who holds a higher post than your own; you regard him as a personal enemy—and then you care nothing what kind of weapon you use against him. But now I have shown you how much is at stake for the town, and consequently for me too. And therefore I warn you, Thomas, that I am inexorable in the demand I am about to make of you!
Dr. Stockmann.
What demand?
Burgomaster.
As you have not had the sense to refrain from chattering to outsiders about this delicate business, which should have been kept an official secret, of course it cannot now be hushed up. All sorts of rumours will get abroad, and evil-disposed persons will invent all sorts of additions to them. It will therefore be necessary for you publicly to contradict these rumours.
Dr. Stockmann.
I! How? I don’t understand you?
Burgomaster.
We expect that, after further investigation, you 67will come to the conclusion that the affair is not nearly so serious or pressing as you had at first imagined.
Dr. Stockmann.
Aha! So you expect that?
Burgomaster.
Furthermore, we expect you to express your confidence that the Board of Directors will thoroughly and conscientiously carry out all measures for the remedying of any possible defects.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, but that you’ll never be able to do, so long as you go on tinkering and patching. I tell you that, Peter; and it’s my deepest, sincerest conviction——
Burgomaster.
As an official, you have no right to hold any individual conviction.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Starting.] No right to——?
Burgomaster.
As an official, I say. In your private capacity, of course, it is another matter. But as a subordinate official of the Baths, you have no right to express any conviction at issue with that of your superiors.
Dr. Stockmann.
This is too much! I, a doctor, a man of science, have no right to——!
Burgomaster.
The matter in question is not a purely scientific 68one; it is a complex affair; it has both a technical and an economic side.
Dr. Stockmann.
What the devil do I care what it is! I will be free to speak my mind upon any subject under the sun!
Burgomaster.
As you please—so long as it does not concern the Baths. With them we forbid you to meddle.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Shouts.] You forbid——! You! A set of——
Burgomaster.
I forbid it—I, your chief; and when I issue an order, you have simply to obey.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Controlling himself.] Upon my word, Peter, if you weren’t my brother——
Petra.
[Tears open the door.] Father, you shan’t submit to this!
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Following her.] Petra, Petra!
Burgomaster.
Ah! So we have been listening!
Mrs. Stockmann.
The partition is so thin, we couldn’t help——
Petra.
I stood and listened on purpose.
69Burgomaster.
Well, on the whole, I am not sorry——
Dr. Stockmann.
[Coming nearer to him.] You spoke to me of forbidding and obeying——
Burgomaster.
You have forced me to adopt that tone.
Dr. Stockmann.
And am I to give myself the lie, in a public declaration?
Burgomaster.
We consider it absolutely necessary that you should issue a statement in the terms indicated.
Dr. Stockmann.
And if I do not obey?
Burgomaster.
Then we shall ourselves put forth a statement to reassure the public.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well and good; then I shall write against you. I shall stick to my point and prove that I am right, and you wrong. And what will you do then?
Burgomaster.
Then I shall be unable to prevent your dismissal.
Dr. Stockmann.
What——!
Petra.
Father! Dismissal!Dismissal!
70Mrs. Stockmann.
Dismissal!
Burgomaster.
Your dismissal from the Baths. I shall be compelled to move that notice be given you at once, and that you have henceforth no connection whatever with the Baths.
Dr. Stockmann.
You would dare to do that!
Burgomaster.
It is you who are playing the daring game.
Petra.
Uncle, this is a shameful way to treat a man like father!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Do be quiet, Petra!
Burgomaster.
[Looking at Petra.] Aha! We have opinions of our own already, eh? To be sure, to be sure! [To Mrs. Stockmann.] Sister-in-law, you are presumably the most rational member of this household. Use all your influence with your husband; try to make him realise what all this will involve both for his family——
Dr. Stockmann.
My family concerns myself alone!
Burgomaster.
——both for his family, I say, and for the town he lives in.
71Dr. Stockmann.
It is I that have the real good of the town at heart! I want to lay bare the evils that, sooner or later, must come to light. Ah! You shall see whether I love my native town.
Burgomaster.
You, who, in your blind obstinacy, want to cut off the town’s chief source of prosperity!
Dr. Stockmann.
That source is poisoned, man! Are you mad? We live by trafficking in filth and corruption! The whole of our flourishing social life is rooted in a lie!
Burgomaster.
Idle fancies—or worse. The man who scatters broadcast such offensive insinuations against his native place must be an enemy of society.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Going towards him.] You dare to——!
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Throwing herself between them.] Thomas!
Petra.
[Seizing her father’s arm.] Keep calm, father!
Burgomaster.
I will not expose myself to violence. You have had your warning now. Reflect upon what is due to yourself and to your family. Good-bye.
[He goes.
*/
Dr. Stockmann.
[Walking up and down.] And I must put up 72with such treatment! In my own house, Katrina! What do you say to that!
Mrs. Stockmann.
Indeed, it’s a shame and a disgrace, Thomas——
Petra.
Oh, if I could only get hold of uncle——!
Dr. Stockmann.
It’s my own fault. I ought to have stood up against them long ago—to have shown my teeth—and used them too!—And to be called an enemy of society! Me! I won’t bear it; by Heaven, I won’t!
Mrs. Stockmann.
But my dear Thomas, after all, your brother has the power——
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, but I have the right.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Ah yes, right, right! What good does it do to have the right, if you haven’t any might?
Petra.
Oh, mother—how can you talk so?
Dr. Stockmann.
What! No good, in a free community, to have right on your side? What an absurd idea, Katrina! And besides—haven’t I the free and independent press before me—and the compact majority at my back? That is might enough, I should think!
73Mrs. Stockmann.
Why, good heavens, Thomas! you’re surely not thinking of——?
Dr. Stockmann.
What am I not thinking of?
Mrs. Stockmann.
——of setting yourself up against your brother, I mean.
Dr. Stockmann.
What the devil would you have me do, if not stick to what is right and true?
Petra.
Yes, that’s what I should like to know?
Mrs. Stockmann.
But it will be of no earthly use. If they won’t, they won’t.
Dr. Stockmann.
Ho-ho, Katrina! just wait a while, and you shall see whether I can fight my battles to the end.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Yes, to the end of getting your dismissal; that is what will happen.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well then, I shall at any rate have done my duty towards the public, towards society—I who am called an enemy of society!
Mrs. Stockmann.
But towards your family, Thomas? Towards us at home? Do you think that is doing your duty towards those who are dependent on you?
74Petra.
Oh, mother, don’t always think first of us.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Yes, it’s easy for you to talk; you can stand alone if need be.—But remember the boys, Thomas; and think a little of yourself too, and of me——
Dr. Stockmann.
You’re surely out of your senses, Katrina! If I were to be such a pitiful coward as to knuckle under to this Peter and his confounded crew—should I ever have another happy hour in all my life?
Mrs. Stockmann.
I don’t know about that; but God preserve us from the happiness we shall all of us have if you persist in defying them. There you will be again, with nothing to live on, with no regular income. I should have thought we had had enough of that in the old days. Remember them, Thomas; think of what it all means.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Struggling with himself and clenching his hands.] And this is what these jacks-in-office can bring upon a free and honest man! Isn’t it revolting, Katrina?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Yes, no doubt they are treating you shamefully. But God knows there’s plenty of injustice one must just submit to in this world.—Here are the boys, Thomas. Look at them! What is to become of them? Oh no, no! you can never have the heart——
Eilif and Morten, with school-books, have meanwhile entered.
75Dr. Stockmann.
The boys——! [With a sudden access of firmness and decision.] Never, though the whole earth should crumble, will I bow my neck beneath the yoke.
[Goes towards his room.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Following him.] Thomas—what are you going to do?
Dr. Stockmann.
[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.
76
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?
77Billing.
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 78crew 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!
79Dr. 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.] AslaksenAslaksen! 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?
80Hovstad.
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. 81Look 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?
82Dr. 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 83understand. 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.
84Billing.
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.
85Aslaksen.
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!
86Aslaksen.
[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 87heart 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.
88Hovstad.
[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?
89Petra.
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 90book 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 91in 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.
92Petra.
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 93truths 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 94straightforwardly 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.
95Hovstad.
[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.
96Hovstad.
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 97Directors 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.
98Burgomaster.
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.
99Aslaksen.
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.
100Hovstad.
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?
101Burgomaster.
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——
102Aslaksen.
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——
103Aslaksen.
[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.
104Hovstad.
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 105town—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——
106Dr. 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 107forgive my following my husband here; remember, I am the mother of three children.