Peter Stockmann. Has he been writing something just lately?
Hovstad. This is something he wrote in the winter; a recommendation of the Baths — an account of the excellent sanitary conditions here. But I held the article over, temporarily.
Peter Stockmann. Ah,— some little difficulty about it, I suppose?
Hovstad. No, not at all; I thought it would be better to wait until the spring, because it is just at this time that people begin to think seriously about their summer quarters.
Peter Stockmann. Quite right; you were perfectly right, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad. Yes, Thomas is really indefatigable when it is a question of the Baths.
Peter Stockmann. Well remember, he is the Medical Officer to the Baths.
Hovstad. Yes, and what is more, they owe their existence to him.
Peter Stockmann. To him? Indeed! It is true I have heard from time to time that some people are of that opinion. At the same time I must say I imagined that I took a modest part in the enterprise,
Mrs Stockmann. Yes, that is what Thomas is always saying.
Hovstad. But who denies it, Mr. Stockmann? You set the thing going and made a practical concern of it; we all know that. I only meant that the idea of it came first from the doctor.
Peter Stockmann. Oh, ideas yes! My brother has had plenty of them in his time — unfortunately. But when it is a question of putting an idea into practical shape, you have to apply to a man of different mettle. Mr. Hovstad. And I certainly should have thought that in this house at least . . .
Mrs Stockmann. My dear Peter —
Hovstad. How can you think that —?
Mrs Stockmann. Won’t you go in and have something, Mr. Hovstad? My husband is sure to be back directly.
Hovstad. Thank you, perhaps just a morsel. [Goes into the dining-room.]
Peter Stockmann [lowering his voice a little]. It is a curious thing that these farmers’ sons never seem to lose their want of tact.
Mrs Stockmann. Surely it is not worth bothering about! Cannot you and Thomas share the credit as brothers?
Peter Stockmann. I should have thought so; but apparently some people are not satisfied with a share.
Mrs Stockmann. What nonsense! You and Thomas get on so capitally together. [Listens.] There he is at last, I think. [Goes out and opens the door leading to the hall.]
Dr Stockmann [laughing and talking outside]. Look here — here is another guest for you, Katherine. Isn’t that jolly! Come in, Captain Horster; hang your coat up on this peg. Ah, you don’t wear an overcoat. Just think, Katherine; I met him in the street and could hardly persuade him to come up! [CAPTAIN HORSTER comes into the room and greets MRS. STOCKMANN. He is followed by DR. STOCKMANN.] Come along in, boys. They are ravenously hungry again, you know. Come along, Captain Horster; you must have a slice of beef. [Pushes HORSTER into the dining-room. EJLIF and MORTEN go in after them.]
Mrs Stockmann. But, Thomas, don’t you see —?
Dr Stockmann [turning in the doorway]. Oh, is it you, Peter? [Shakes hands with him.] Now that is very delightful.
Peter Stockmann. Unfortunately I must go in a moment —
Dr Stockmann. Rubbish! There is some toddy just coming in. You haven’t forgotten the toddy, Katherine?
Mrs Stockmann. Of course not; the water is boiling now. [Goes into the dining-room.]
Peter Stockmann. Toddy too!
Dr Stockmann. Yes, sit down and we will have it comfortably.
Peter Stockmann. Thanks, I never care about an evening’s drinking.
Dr Stockmann. But this isn’t an evening’s drinking.
Peter Stockmann. It seems to me —. [Looks towards the dining-room.] It is extraordinary how they can put away all that food.
Dr Stockmann [rubbing his hands]. Yes, isn’t it splendid to see young people eat? They have always got an appetite, you know! That’s as it should be. Lots of food — to build up their strength! They are the people who are going to stir up the fermenting forces of the future, Peter.
Peter Stockmann. May I ask what they will find here to “stir up,” as you put it?
Dr Stockmann. Ah, you must ask the young people that — when the times comes. We shan’t be able to see it, of course. That stands to reason — two old fogies, like us.
Peter Stockmann. Really, really! I must say that is an extremely odd expression to —
Dr Stockmann. Oh, you mustn’t take me too literally, Peter. I am so heartily happy and contented, you know. I think it is such an extraordinary piece of good fortune to be in the middle of all this growing, germinating life. It is a splendid time to live in! It is as if a whole new world were being created around one.
Peter Stockmann. Do you really think so?
Dr Stockmann. Ah, naturally you can’t appreciate it as keenly as I. You have lived all your life in these surroundings, and your impressions have been blunted. But I, who have been buried all these years in my little corner up north, almost without ever seeing a stranger who might bring new ideas with him — well, in my case it has just the same effect as if I had been transported into the middle of a crowded city.
Peter Stockmann. Oh, a city —!
Dr Stockmann. I know, I know; it is all cramped enough here, compared with many other places. But there is life here — there is promise — there are innumerable things to work for and fight for; and that is the main thing. [Calls.] Katherine, hasn’t the postman been here?
Mrs Stockmann [from the dining-room]. No.
Dr Stockmann. And then to be comfortably off, Peter! That is something one learns to value, when one has been on the brink of starvation, as we have.
Peter Stockmann. Oh, surely —
Dr Stockmann. Indeed I can assure you we have often been very hard put to it, up there. And now to be able to live like a lord! Today, for instance, we had roast beef for dinner — and, what is more, for supper too. Won’t you come and have a little bit? Or let me show it you, at any rate? Come here —
Peter Stockmann. No, no — not for worlds!
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