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DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, that one! I'd rather that didn't appear just now.
THE MAYOR: Why not? This seems to me to be the ideal time for it.
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes--under ordinary circumstances--(Paces across the room.)
THE MAYOR (Follows him with his eyes): What is there so unusual about circumstances now?
DR. STOCKMANN (Stands still): I'm afraid I can't tell you about it just now, Peter--not this evening, at any rate. The circumstances may turn out to be in the highest degree unusual, you see. On the other hand it may all amount to nothing--just an illusion on my part.
THE MAYOR: You sound very mysterious. Are you keeping something from me? Is anything the matter? As chairman of the Bath Committee I demand the right to--!
DR. STOCKMANN: And I demand the right to--! Oh, don't let's fly off the handle, Peter.
THE MAYOR: I am not in the habit of "flying off the handle," as you express it. But I must emphatically insist that all matters concerning the Baths be handled in a business-like manner, and through the proper channels. I shall not tolerate devious or underhanded methods.
DR. STOCKMANN. When have I ever used devious or underhanded methods?
THE MAYOR: You have an incorrigible tendency to take things into your own hands; in a well-ordered community that is equally reprehensible. The individual must subordinate himself to Society as a whole; or more precisely, to those authorities responsible for the well being of that Society.
DR. STOCKMANN: That may be so; but I can't see how the devil it concerns me!
THE MAYOR: That is where you are wrong, my dear Tomas; I can't seem to get that into your head! But be careful; sooner or later you'll have to pay for it. Now I've warned you. Goodbye.
DR. STOCKMANN: You’re out of your mind, I tell you! You're on the wrong track entirely--!
THE MAYOR: I am seldom on the wrong track. Moreover--I take strong exception to--! (Bows in the direction of the dining room) Goodbye, Katrine. Good-day, Gentlemen. (He goes.)
MRS. STOCKMANN (Coming into the sitting room): Has he gone?
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes--and in a towering rage too!
MRS. STOCKMANN: Tomas, dear! What did you do to him this time?
DR. STOCKMANN: Nothing at all! He can't very well expect me to give him an account of things--before they happen.
MRS. STOCKMANN: An account of what things?
DR. STOCKMANN. Never mind about that now, Katrine-- It's very odd that the postman didn't come.
(HOVSTAD, BILLING and HORSTER have risen from table and come into the sitting room; EJLIF and MORTEN follow presently.)
BILLING (Stretching himself): What a meal! Strike me dead if I don't feel like a new man!
HOVSTAD: His Honor didn't seem in a very sunny mood this evening.
DR. STOCKMANN: It's his stomach; his digestion's bad, you know.
HOVSTAD: I think he found it hard to digest us! He has no great love for The People's Monitor, I gather.
MRS. STOCKMANN: I thought you seemed to get on very well.
HOVSTAD: Only a temporary truce, I fear me!
BILLING: A truce, yes. That's the word for it.
DR. STOCKMANN: We mustn't forget poor Peter is a lonely bachelor. He has no home to be happy in. Business--nothing but business! And then that damned tea he's always filling himself up with. Now then, boys! Draw your chairs up to the table! Katrine-what about that toddy!
MRS. STOCKMANN (Going towards the dining room): I'm just getting it.
DR. STOCKMANN: You sit here on the sofa with me, Captain Horster. We don't often have the chance of seeing you!-- Go on, boys! Sit down! (They sit down at the table. MRS. STOCKMANN brings in a tray with kettle, glasses, decanters, etc.)
MRS. STOCKMANN: There you are! Now help yourselves. There's Arrak, rum, and this is cognac.
DR. STOCKMANN (Taking a glass): We're ready for it! (While the toddy is being mixed) Now--the cigars. Ejlif, you know where the box is. And Morten can get my pipe. (The boys go into the room right) I have a suspicion Ejlif sneaks a cigar now and then--but I pretend not to notice. (Calls) And my smoking-cap, Morten! Do you know where I left it, Katrine? Oh, he's found it. (The boys bring in the various things) Now, my friends, help yourselves! I stick to my pipe, you know; many's the long cold trip, up there in the North, that this has kept me company. (They clink glasses) Your health! It's a damn sight pleasanter to be sitting here in this warm comfortable room!
MRS. STOCKMANN (Sits and starts to knit): Are you sailing soon, Captain Horster?
HORSTER: I hope to be ready next week.
MRS. STOCKMANN: And you're going to America?
HORTSTER: That's the intention.
BILLING: Then you won't be able to vote in the town election.
HORSTER: Oh, there's to be an election, is there?
BILLING: Didn't you know?
HORSTER: No--I don't bother about such things.
BILLING: You mean you have no interest in public affairs?
HORSTER. I don't know anything about them.
BILLING: Still---one ought at least to vote.
HORSTER: Even if you understand nothing about it?
BILLING: Not understand? How do you mean? Society is like a ship; it's up to every man to put his hand to the helm.
HORSTER: That may be all right on shore; but it would never do at sea.
HOVSTAD: Sailors rarely take an interest in public matters.
BILLING: Yes-it's amazing!
DR. STOCKMANN: Sailors are like birds of passage; North or South--every place is home! All the more reason for us to redouble our activities. Will there be anything of public interest in tomorrow’s paper, Mr. Hovstad?
HOVSTAD: Nothing of local interest--no. But the day after tomorrow I thought I'd use your article.
DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, blast it, the article--of course! I'm afraid you'll have to hold it for a while.
HOVSTAD: Really? But we happen to have lots of space--and it seemed to me so timely.
DR. STOCKMANN: I dare say you're right--but you'll have to hold it all the same. I'll explain about it later--
(PETRA, wearing a hat and cloak, enters from the hall; she carries a number of exercise books under her arm.)
PETRA: Good evening.
DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, it's you, Petra. Good evening.
(General greetings. PETRA takes off her hat and cloak and puts them, with the exercise books, on a chair by the door.) PETRA: So while I slave away at school--you sit here enjoying yourselves.
DR. STOCKMANN: Now you must come and enjoy yourself too.
BILLING: May I mix you a little drink?
PETRA (Goes to the table): Thanks, I'll do it myself; you always make it too strong. Oh--by the way, Father, I have a letter for you. (Goes to the chair where she left her things.)
DR. STOCKMANN: A letter! From whom?
PETRA (Looking in the pocket of her cloak): I met the postman on my way out--
DR. STOCKMANN (Rises and goes towards her): You might have given it to me before!
PETRA: I really didn't have time to run upstairs again. Here it is.
DR. STOCKMANN (Seizing the letter): Let me see--let me see, child. (He reads the address) Yes! This is it!
MRS. STOCKMANN: Is it the one you've been expecting, Tomas?
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes. I must go in and read it at once. What about a light, Katrine? I suppose there's no lamp in my study again!
MRS. STOCKMANN: Oh, yes there is! It's already lighted on the desk.
DR. STOCKMANN: Good. Excuse me a moment--(He goes into his study, right.)
PETRA: What's all that about, Mother?
MRS. STOCKMANN: I don't know; these last few days he’s done nothing but ask for the postman.
BILLING: Perhaps it's from one of his patients out of town--
PETRA: Poor father! He's getting to be frightfully busy. (Mixes her toddy) Ah! This will be most welcome!
HOVSTAD: Have you been teaching at night school again this evening?
PETRA (Sipping her drink): Two hours, yes.
BILLING: And four hours this morning at the girls' school--?
PETRA (Sitting down at the table): Five.
MRS. STOCKMANN: And you have some exercises to correct this evening as well, I see.
PETRA: Quite a lot.
HORESTER: You seem to keep busy too!
PETRA: Yes--but I like it. It's good to feel thoroughly exhausted!
BILLING: Do you enjoy that?
PETRA: It makes one sleep so well.
MORTEN: You must be a great sinner, Petra.
PETRA: A sinner?
MORTEN: Yes--or you wouldn't have to work so hard. Work is a punishment for our sins--that's what Mr. Rorlund always says.
EjliF: Now can you be such a fool! Believing all that nonsense!
MRS. STOCKMANN: Now, now-Ejlif!
BILLING (Laughing): That's a good one!
HOVSTAD. Shouldn't you like to work hard, Morten?
MORTEN: No, I shouldn't.

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