Chapter 9

Hovstad.

Oh, is that what you were speaking of?

Burgomaster.

Precisely. What do you think of it?

Hovstad.

I have no technical knowledge of the matter, and I've only glanced through it.

Burgomaster.

And yet you are going to print it!

Hovstad.

I can’t very well refuse a signed communication——

Aslaksen.

I have nothing to do with the editing of the paper, Burgomaster——

Burgomaster.

Of course not.

Aslaksen.

I merely print what is placed in my hands.

Burgomaster.

Quite right, quite right.

Aslaksen.

So I must——[Goes towards the printing-room.

Burgomaster.

No, stop a moment, Mr. Aslaksen. With your permission, Mr. Hovstad——

Hovstad.

By all means, Burgomaster.

Burgomaster.

You are a discreet and thoughtful man, Mr. Aslaksen.

Aslaksen.

I am glad you think so, Burgomaster.

Burgomaster.

And a man of very wide influence.

Aslaksen.

Well—chiefly among the lower middle-class.

Burgomaster.

The small taxpayers form the majority—here as everywhere.

Aslaksen.

That’s very true.

Burgomaster.

And I have no doubt that you know the general feeling among them. Am I right?

Aslaksen.

Yes, I think I may say that I do, Burgomaster.

Burgomaster.

Well—since our townsfolk of the poorer class appear to be so heroically eager to make sacrifices——

Aslaksen.

How so?

Hovstad.

Sacrifices?

Burgomaster.

It is a pleasing evidence of public spirit—a most pleasing evidence. I admit it is more than I should quite have expected. But, of course, you know public feeling better than I do.

Aslaksen.

Yes but, Burgomaster——

Burgomaster.

And assuredly it is no small sacrifice the town will have to make.

Hovstad.

The town?

Aslaksen.

But I don’t understand——. It’s the Baths——

Burgomaster.

At a rough provisional estimate, the alterations the Doctor thinks desirable will come to two or three hundred thousand crowns.

Aslaksen.

That’s a lot of money; but——

Burgomaster.

Of course we shall be obliged to raise a municipal loan.

Hovstad.

[Rising.] You surely can’t mean that the town——?

Aslaksen.

Would you come upon the rates? Upon the scanty savings of the lower middle-class?

Burgomaster.

Why, my dear Mr. Aslaksen, where else are the funds to come from?

Aslaksen.

The proprietors of the Baths must see to that.

Burgomaster.

The proprietors are not in a position to go to any further expense.

Aslaksen.

Are you quite sure of that, Burgomaster?

Burgomaster.

I have positive information. So if these extensive alterations are called for, the town itself will have to bear the cost.

Aslaksen.

Oh, plague take it all—I beg your pardon!—but this is quite another matter, Mr. Hovstad.

Hovstad.

Yes, it certainly is.

Burgomaster.

The worst of it is, that we shall be obliged to close the establishment for a couple of years.

Hovstad.

To close it? Completely?

Aslaksen.

For two years!

Burgomaster.

Yes, the work will require that time—at least.

Aslaksen.

But, damn it all! we can’t stand that, Burgomaster. What are we house-owners to live on in the meantime?

Burgomaster.

It’s extremely difficult to say, Mr. Aslaksen. But what would you have us do? Do you think a single visitor will come here if we go about making them fancy that the water is poisoned, that the place is pestilential, that the whole town——

Aslaksen.

And it’s all nothing but fancy?

Burgomaster.

With the best will in the world, I have failed to convince myself that it is anything else.

Aslaksen.

In that case it’s simply inexcusable of Dr. Stockmann—I beg your pardon, Burgomaster, but——

Burgomaster.

I'm sorry to say you are only speaking the truth, Mr. Aslaksen. Unfortunately, my brother has always been noted for his rashness.

Aslaksen.

And yet you want to back him up in this, Mr. Hovstad!

Hovstad.

But who could possibly imagine that——?

Burgomaster.

I have drawn up a short statement of the facts, as they appear from a sober-minded standpoint; and I have intimated that any drawbacks that may possibly exist can no doubt be remedied by measures compatible with the finances of the Baths.

Hovstad.

Have you the article with you, Burgomaster?

Burgomaster.

[Feeling in his pockets.] Yes; I brought it with me, in case you——

Aslaksen.

[Quickly.] Plague take it, there he is!

Burgomaster.

Who? My brother?

Hovstad.

Where? where?

Aslaksen.

He’s coming through the composing-room.

Burgomaster.

Most unfortunate! I don’t want to meet him here, and yet there are several things I want to talk to you about.

Hovstad.

[Pointing to the door on the right.] Go in there for a moment.

Burgomaster.

But——?

Hovstad.

You’ll find nobody but Billing there.

Aslaksen.

Quick, quick, Burgomaster; he’s just coming.

Burgomaster.

Very well, then. But try to get rid of him quickly.

[He goes out by the door on the right, whichAslaksenopens, and closes behind him.

Hovstad.

Pretend to be busy, Aslaksen.

[He sits down and writes.Aslaksenturns 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.

[ToAslaksen.] 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 wholetown—one mustn’t grudge a little trouble. [Is on the point of going but stops and comes back.] Oh, by the way—there’s one other thing I must speak to you about.

Hovstad.

Excuse me; wouldn’t some other time——?

Dr. Stockmann.

I can tell you in two words. You see it’s this when people read my article in the paper tomorrow, and find I have spent the whole winter working quietly for the good of the town——

Hovstad.

Yes but, Doctor——

Dr. Stockmann.

I know what you’re going to say. You don’t think it was a bit more than my duty—my simple duty as a citizen. Of course I know that, as well as you do. But you see, my fellow townsmen—good Lord! the poor souls think so much of me——

Aslaksen.

Yes, the townspeople have hitherto thought very highly of you, Doctor.

Dr. Stockmann.

That’s exactly why I'm afraid that—. What I wanted to say was this: when all this comes to them—especially to the poorer classes—as a summons to take the affairs of the town into their own hands for the future——

Hovstad.

[Rising.] H'm, Doctor, I won’t conceal from you——

Dr. Stockmann.

Aha! I thought there was something brewing! But I won’t hear of it. If they are getting up anything of that sort——

Hovstad.

Of what sort?

Dr. Stockmann.

Well, anything of any sort—a procession with banners, or a banquet, or a subscription for a testimonial, or whatever it may be—you must give me your solemn promise to put a stop to it. And you too, Mr. Aslaksen; do you hear?

Hovstad.

Excuse me, Doctor; we may as well tell you the whole truth first as last——

Mrs. Stockmannenters from the back, left.

Mrs. Stockmann.

[Seeing theDoctor.] Ah! just as Ithought.thought.

Hovstad.

[Going towards her.] Mrs. Stockmann, too?

Dr. Stockmann.

What the devil doyouwant here, Katrina?

Mrs. Stockmann.

You know very well what Iwant.want.

Hovstad.

Won’t you sit down? Or perhaps——

Mrs. Stockmann.

Thanks, please don’t trouble. And you mustforgive my following my husband here; remember, I am the mother of three children.

Dr. Stockmann.

Stuff and nonsense! We all know that well enough.

Mrs. Stockmann.

Well, it doesn’t look as if you thought very much about your wife and children to-day, or you wouldn’t be so ready to plunge us all into ruin.

Dr. Stockmann.

Are you quite mad, Katrina! Has a man with a wife and children no right to proclaim the truth? Has he no right to be an active and useful citizen? Has he no right to do his duty by the town he lives in?

Mrs. Stockmann.

Everything in moderation, Thomas!

Aslaksen.

That’s just what I say. Moderation in everything.

Mrs. Stockmann.

You are doing us a great wrong, Mr. Hovstad, in enticing my husband away from house and home, and befooling him in this way.

Hovstad.

I am not befooling any one——

Dr. Stockmann.

Befooling! Do you think I should let myself be befooled?

Mrs. Stockmann.

Yes, that’s just what you do. I know very well that you are the cleverest man in the town; but you’re very easily made a fool of, Thomas. [ToHovstad.] Remember that he loses his post at the Baths if you print what he has written——

Aslaksen.

What!

HovstadHovstad.

Well now, really, Doctor——

Dr. Stockmann.

[Laughing.] Ha ha! just let them try—! No no, my dear, they’ll think twice about that. I have the compact majority behind me, you see!

Mrs. Stockmann.

That’s just the misfortune, that you should have such a horrid thing behind you.

Dr. Stockmann.

Nonsense, Katrina;—you go home and look after your house, and let me take care of society. How can you be in such a fright when you see me so confident and happy? [Rubbing his hands and walking up and down.] Truth and the People must win the day; you may be perfectly sure of that. Oh! I can see all our free-souled citizens standing shoulder to shoulder like a conquering army——! [Stopping by a chair.] Why, what the devil isthat?

Aslaksen.

[Looking at it.] Oh Lord!

Hovstad.

[The same.] H'm—

Dr. Stockmann.

Why, here’s the top-knot of authority!

[He takes theBurgomaster’sofficial cap carefully between the tips of his fingers and holds it up.

Mrs. Stockmann.

The Burgomaster’s cap!

Dr. Stockmann.

And here’s the staff of office, too! But how in the devil’s name did they——?

Hovstad.

Well then——

Dr. Stockmann.

Ah, I understand! He has been here to talk you over. Ha, ha! He reckoned without his host that time! And when he caught sight of me in the printing-room—[Bursts out laughing.]—he took to his heels, eh, Mr. Aslaksen?

Aslaksen.

[Hurriedly.] Exactly; he took to his heels, Doctor.

Dr. Stockmann.

Made off without his stick and——. No,thatwon’t do! Peter never left anything behind him. But where the devil have you stowed him? Ah—in here, of course. Now you shall see, Katrina!

Mrs. Stockmann.

Thomas—I implore you——!

Aslaksen.

Take care, Doctor!

[Dr. Stockmannhas put on theBurgomaster’scap and grasped his stick; he now goes up to the door, throws it open, and makes a military salute.

TheBurgomasterenters, red with anger. Behind him comesBilling.

Burgomaster.

What is the meaning of these antics?

Dr. Stockmann.

Respect, my good Peter! Now, it’s I that am in power in this town.

[He struts up and down.

Mrs. Stockmann.

[Almost in tears.] Oh, Thomas!

Burgomaster.

[Following him.] Give me my cap and stick!

Dr. Stockmann.

[As before.] You may be Chief of Police, but I am Burgomaster. I am master of the whole town I tell you!

Burgomaster.

Put down my cap, I say. Remember it is an official cap, as by law prescribed!

Dr. Stockmann.

Pshaw! Do you think the awakening lion of the democracy will let itself be scared by a gold-laced cap? There’s to be a revolution in the town to-morrow, let me tell you. You threatened me withdismissal; but nowIdismissyou—dismiss you from all your offices of trust—. You think I can’t do it?—Oh, yes, I can! I have the irresistible forces of society on my side. Hovstad and Billing will thunder in thePeople’s Messenger, and Aslaksen will take the field at the head of the House-owners' Association——

Aslaksen.

No, Doctor, I shall not.

Dr. Stockmann.

Why, of course you will——

Burgomaster.

Aha! Perhaps Mr. Hovstad would like to join the agitation after all?

Hovstad.

No, Burgomaster.

Aslaksen.

No, Mr. Hovstad isn’t such a fool as to ruin both himself and the paper for the sake of a delusion.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Looking about him.] What does all this mean?

Hovstad.

You have presented your case in a false light, Doctor; therefore I am unable to give you my support.

Billing.

And after what the Burgomaster has been so kind as to explain to me, I——

Dr. Stockmann.

In a false light! Well, I am responsible for that.Just you print my article, and I promise you I shall prove it up to the hilt.

Hovstad.

I shall not print it. I cannot, and will not, and dare not print it.

Dr. Stockmann.

You dare not? What nonsense is this? You are editor; and I suppose it’s the editor that controls a paper.

Aslaksen.

No, it’s the subscribers, Doctor.

Burgomaster.

Fortunately.

Aslaksen.

It’s public opinion, the enlightened majority, the house-owners and all the rest. It’stheywho control a paper.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Calmly.] And all these powers I have against me?

Aslaksen.

Yes, you have. It would mean absolute ruin for the town if your article were inserted.

Dr. Stockmann.

Sothatis the way of it!

Burgomaster.

My hat and stick!

[Dr. Stockmanntakes off the cap and lays it on the table along with the stick.

Burgomaster.

[Taking them both.] Your term of office has come to an untimely end.

Dr. Stockmann.

The end is not yet. [ToHovstad.] So you are quite determined not to print my article in theMessenger?

Hovstad.

Quite; for the sake of your family, if for no other reason.

Mrs. Stockmann.

Oh, be kind enough to leave his family out of the question, Mr. Hovstad.

Burgomaster.

[Takes a manuscript from his pocket.] When this appears, the public will be in possession of all necessary information; it is an authentic statement. I place it in your hands.

Hovstad.

[Taking the MS.] Good. It shall appear in due course.

Dr. Stockmann.

And not mine! You imagine you can kill me and the truth by a conspiracy of silence! But it won’t be so easyasasyou think. Mr. Aslaksen, will you be good enough to print my article at once, as a pamphlet? I'll pay for it myself, and be my own publisher. I'll have four hundred copies—no, five—six hundred.

Aslaksen.

No. If you offered me its weight in gold, I darenot lend my press to such a purpose, Doctor. I daren’t fly in the face of public opinion. You won’t get it printed anywhere in the whole town.

Dr. Stockmann.

Then give it me back.

Hovstad.

[Handing him the MS.] By all means.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Taking up his hat and cane.] It shall be made public all the same. I shall read it at a great mass meeting; all my fellow citizens shall hear the voice of truth!

Burgomaster.

Not a single society in the town would let you their hall for such a purpose.

Aslaksen.

Not one, I'm quite certain.

Billing.

No, strike me dead if they would!

Mrs. Stockmann.

That would be too disgraceful! Why do they turn against you like this, every one of them?

Dr. Stockmann.

[Irritated.] I'll tell you why.It’sIt’sbecause in this town all the men are old women—like you. They all think of nothing but their families, not of the general good.

Mrs. Stockmann.

[Taking his arm.] Then I'll show them that an—an old woman can be a man for once in a way. FornowI'll stand by you, Thomas.

Dr. Stockmann.

Bravely said, Katrina! I swear by my soul and conscience the truth shall out! If they won’t let me a hall, I'll hire a drum and march through the town with it; and I'll read my paper at every street corner.

Burgomaster.

You can scarcely be such a raving lunatic as that?

Dr. Stockmann.

I am.

Aslaksen.

You would not get a single man in the whole town to go with you.

Billing.

No, strike me dead if you would!

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