Complete Works of Henrik Ibsen (215 page)

Dr. Stockmann. Well, but just come here then. Do you see, we have got a table-cover?

Peter Stockmann. Yes, I noticed it.

Dr. Stockmann. And we have got a lamp-shade too. Do you see? All out of Katherine’s savings! It makes the room so cosy. Don’t you think so? Just stand here for a moment — no, no, not there — just here, that’s it! Look now, when you get the light on it altogether. I really think it looks very nice, doesn’t it?

Peter Stockmann. Oh, if you can afford luxuries of this kind —

Dr. Stockmann. Yes, I can afford it now. Katherine tells me I earn almost as much as we spend.

Peter Stockmann. Almost — yes!

Dr. Stockmann. But a scientific man must live in a little bit of style. I am quite sure an ordinary civil servant spends more in a year than I do.

Peter Stockmann. I daresay. A civil servant — a man in a well-paid position...

Dr. Stockmann. Well, any ordinary merchant, then! A man in that position spends two or three times as much as —

Peter Stockmann. It just depends on circumstances.

Dr. Stockmann. At all events I assure you I don’t waste money unprofitably. But I can’t find it in my heart to deny myself the pleasure of entertaining my friends. I need that sort of thing, you know. I have lived for so long shut out of it all, that it is a necessity of life to me to mix with young, eager, ambitious men, men of liberal and active minds; and that describes every one of those fellows who are enjoying their supper in there. I wish you knew more of Hovstad.

Peter Stockmann. By the way, Hovstad was telling me he was going to print another article of yours.

Dr. Stockmann. An article of mine?

Peter Stockmann. Yes, about the Baths. An article you wrote in the winter.

Dr. Stockmann. Oh, that one! No, I don’t intend that to appear just for the present.

Peter Stockmann. Why not? It seems to me that this would be the most opportune moment.

Dr. Stockmann. Yes, very likely — under normal conditions.
(Crosses the room.)

Peter Stockmann
(following him with his eyes)
. Is there anything abnormal about the present conditions?

Dr. Stockmann
(standing still)
. To tell you the truth, Peter, I can’t say just at this moment — at all events not tonight. There may be much that is very abnormal about the present conditions — and it is possible there may be nothing abnormal about them at all. It is quite possible it may be merely my imagination.

Peter Stockmann. I must say it all sounds most mysterious. Is there something going on that I am to be kept in ignorance of? I should have imagined that I, as Chairman of the governing body of the Baths —

Dr. Stockmann. And I should have imagined that I — . Oh, come, don’t let us fly out at one another, Peter.

Peter Stockmann. Heaven forbid! I am not in the habit of flying out at people, as you call it. But I am entitled to request most emphatically that all arrangements shall be made in a businesslike manner, through the proper channels, and shall be dealt with by the legally constituted authorities. I can allow no going behind our backs by any roundabout means.

Dr. Stockmann. Have I ever at any time tried to go behind your backs?

Peter Stockmann. You have an ingrained tendency to take your own way, at all events; and, that is almost equally inadmissible in a well ordered community, The individual ought undoubtedly to acquiesce in subordinating himself to the community — or, to speak more accurately, to the authorities who have the care of the community’s welfare.

Dr. Stockmann. Very likely. But what the deuce has all this got to do with me?

Peter Stockmann. That is exactly what you never appear to be willing to learn, my dear Thomas. But, mark my words, some day you will have to suffer for it — sooner or later. Now I have told you. Good-bye.

Dr. Stockmann. Have you taken leave of your senses? You are on the wrong scent altogether.

Peter Stockmann. I am not usually that. You must excuse me now if I —
(calls into the dining-room)
. Good night, Katherine. Good night, gentlemen.
(Goes out.)

Mrs. Stockmann
(coming from the dining-room)
. Has he gone?

Dr. Stockmann. Yes, and in such a bad temper.

Mrs. Stockmann. But, dear Thomas, what have you been doing to him again?

Dr. Stockmann. Nothing at all. And, anyhow, he can’t oblige me to make my report before the proper time.

Mrs. Stockmann. What have you got to make a report to him about?

Dr. Stockmann. Hm! Leave that to me, Katherine. It is an extraordinary thing that the postman doesn’t come.

(HOVSTAD, BILLING and HORSTER have got up from the table and come into the sitting-room. EJLIF and MORTEN come in after them.)

Billing
(stretching himself)
. Ah! — one feels a new man after a meal like that.

Hovstad. The mayor wasn’t in a very sweet temper tonight, then.

Dr. Stockmann. It is his stomach; he has wretched digestion.

Hovstad. I rather think it was us two of the “People’s Messenger” that he couldn’t digest.

Mrs. Stockmann. I thought you came out of it pretty well with him.

Hovstad. Oh yes; but it isn’t anything more than a sort of truce.

Billing. That is just what it is! That word sums up the situation.

Dr. Stockmann. We must remember that Peter is a lonely man, poor chap. He has no home comforts of any kind; nothing but everlasting business. And all that infernal weak tea wash that he pours into himself! Now then, my boys, bring chairs up to the table. Aren’t we going to have that toddy, Katherine?

Mrs. Stockmann
(going into the dining-room)
. I am just getting it.

Dr. Stockmann. Sit down here on the couch beside me, Captain Horster. We so seldom see you. Please sit down, my friends.
(They sit down at the table. MRS. STOCKMANN brings a tray, with a spirit-lamp, glasses, bottles, etc., upon it.)

Mrs. Stockmann. There you are! This is arrack, and this is rum, and this one is the brandy. Now every one must help themselves.

Dr. Stockmann
(taking a glass)
. We will.
(They all mix themselves some toddy.)
And let us have the cigars. Ejlif, you know where the box is. And you, Morten, can fetch my pipe.
(The two boys go into the room on the right.)
I have a suspicion that Ejlif pockets a cigar now and then! — but I take no notice of it.
(Calls out.)
And my smoking-cap too, Morten. Katherine, you can tell him where I left it. Ah, he has got it.
(The boys bring the various things.)
Now, my friends. I stick to my pipe, you know. This one has seen plenty of bad weather with me up north.
(Touches glasses with them.)
Your good health! Ah, it is good to be sitting snug and warm here.

Mrs. Stockmann
(who sits knitting)
. Do you sail soon, Captain Horster?

Horster. I expect to be ready to sail next week.

Mrs. Stockmann. I suppose you are going to America?

Horster. Yes, that is the plan.

Mrs. Stockmann. Then you won’t be able to take part in the coming election?

Horster. Is there going to be an election?

Billing. Didn’t you know?

Horster. No, I don’t mix myself up with those things.

Billing. But do you not take an interest in public affairs?

Horster. No, I don’t know anything about politics.

Billing. All the same, one ought to vote, at any rate.

Horster. Even if one doesn’t know anything about what is going on?

Billing. Doesn’t know! What do you mean by that? A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.

Horster. Maybe that is all very well on shore; but on board ship it wouldn’t work.

Hovstad. It is astonishing how little most sailors care about what goes on on shore.

Billing. Very extraordinary.

Dr. Stockmann. Sailors are like birds of passage; they feel equally at home in any latitude. And that is only an additional reason for our being all the more keen, Hovstad. Is there to be anything of public interest in tomorrow’s “Messenger”?

Hovstad. Nothing about municipal affairs. But the day after tomorrow I was thinking of printing your article —

Dr. Stockmann. Ah, devil take it — my article! Look here, that must wait a bit.

Hovstad. Really? We had just got convenient space for it, and I thought it was just the opportune moment —

Dr. Stockmann. Yes, yes, very likely you are right; but it must wait all the same. I will explain to you later.
(PETRA comes in from the hall, in hat and cloak and with a bundle of exercise books under her arm.)

Petra. Good evening.

Dr. Stockmann. Good evening, Petra; come along.

(Mutual greetings; PETRA takes off her things and puts them down on a chair by the door.)

Petra. And you have all been sitting here enjoying yourselves, while I have been out slaving!

Dr. Stockmann. Well, come and enjoy yourself too!

Billing. May I mix a glass for you?

Petra
(coming to the table)
. Thanks, I would rather do it; you always mix it too strong. But I forgot, father — I have a letter for you.
(Goes to the chair where she has laid her things.)

Dr. Stockmann. A letter? From whom?

Petra
(looking in her coat pocket)
. The postman gave it to me just as I was going out.

Dr. Stockmann
(getting up and going to her)
. And you only give to me now!

Petra. I really had not time to run up again. There it is!

Dr. Stockmann
(seizing the letter)
. Let’s see, let’s see, child!
(Looks at the address.)
Yes, that’s all right!

Mrs. Stockmann. Is it the one you have been expecting go anxiously, Thomas?

Dr. Stockmann. Yes, it is. I must go to my room now and — Where shall I get a light, Katherine? Is there no lamp in my room again?

Mrs. Stockmann. Yes, your lamp is already lit on your desk.

Dr. Stockmann. Good, good. Excuse me for a moment — ,
(Goes into his study.)

Petra. What do you suppose it is, mother?

Mrs. Stockmann. I don’t know; for the last day or two he has always been asking if the postman has not been.

Billing. Probably some country patient.

Petra. Poor old dad! — he will overwork himself soon.
(Mixes a glass for herself.)
There, that will taste good!

Hovstad. Have you been teaching in the evening school again today?

Petra
(sipping from her glass)
. Two hours.

Billing. And four hours of school in the morning?

Petra. Five hours.

Mrs. Stockmann. And you have still got exercises to correct, I see.

Petra. A whole heap, yes.

Horster. You are pretty full up with work too, it seems to me.

Petra. Yes — but that is good. One is so delightfully tired after it.

Billing. Do you like that?

Petra. Yes, because one sleeps so well then.

Morten. You must be dreadfully wicked, Petra.

Petra. Wicked?

Morten. Yes, because you work so much. Mr. Rorlund says work is a punishment for our sins.