DR. STOCKMANN: How, do you mean?—Let us sit down, my dear fellow. No, sit here on the couch. (HOVSTAD Sits down on the couch, DR. STOCKMANN on a chair on the other side of the table.) Now then. You mean that—?

  HOVSTAD: You said yesterday that the pollution of the water was due to impurities in the soil.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, unquestionably it is due to that poisonous morass up at Molledal.

  HOVSTAD: Begging your pardon, Doctor, I fancy it is due to quite another morass altogether.

  DR. STOCKMANN: What morass?

  HOVSTAD: The morass that the whole life of our town is built on and is rotting in.

  DR. STOCKMANN: What the deuce are you driving at, Hovstad?

  HOVSTAD: The whole of the town’s interests have, little by little, got into the hands of a pack of officials.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, come!—they are not all officials.

  HOVSTAD: No, but those that are not officials are at any rate the officials’ friends and adherents; it is the wealthy folk, the old families in the town, that have got us entirely in their hands.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, but after all they are men of ability and knowledge.

  HOVSTAD: Did they show any ability or knowledge when they laid the conduit pipes where they are now?

  DR. STOCKMANN: No, of course that was a great piece of stupidity on their part. But that is going to be set right now.

  HOVSTAD: Do you think that will be all such plain sailing?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Plain sailing or no, it has got to be done, anyway.

  HOVSTAD: Yes, provided the press takes up the question.

  DR. STOCKMANN: I don’t think that will be necessary, my dear fellow, I am certain my brother—

  HOVSTAD: Excuse me, doctor; I feel bound to tell you I am inclined to take the matter up.

  DR. STOCKMANN: In the paper?

  HOVSTAD: Yes. When I took over the People’s Messenger my idea was to break up this ring of self-opinionated old fossils who had got hold of all the influence.

  DR. STOCKMANN: But you know you told me yourself what the result had been; you nearly ruined your paper.

  HOVSTAD: Yes, at the time we were obliged to climb down a peg or two, it is quite true—because there was a danger of the whole project of the Baths coming to nothing if they failed us. But now the scheme has been carried through, and we can dispense with these grand gentlemen.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Dispense with them, yes; but, we owe them a great debt of gratitude.

  HOVSTAD: That shall be recognised ungrudgingly, But a journalist of my democratic tendencies cannot let such an opportunity as this slip. The bubble of official infallibility must be pricked. This superstition must be destroyed, like any other.

  DR. STOCKMANN: I am wholeheartedly with you in that, Mr. Hovstad; if it is a superstition, away with it!

  HOVSTAD: I should be very reluctant to bring the Mayor into it, because he is your brother. But I am sure you will agree with me that truth should be the first consideration.

  DR. STOCKMANN: That goes without saying. (With sudden emphasis.) Yes, but—but—

  HOVSTAD: You must not misjudge me. I am neither more self-interested nor more ambitious than most men.

  DR. STOCKMANN: My dear fellow—who suggests anything of the kind?

  HOVSTAD: I am of humble origin, as you know; and that has given me opportunities of knowing what is the most crying need in the humbler ranks of life. It is that they should be allowed some part in the direction of public affairs, Doctor. That is what will develop their faculties and intelligence and self respect—

  DR. STOCKMANN: I quite appreciate that.

  HOVSTAD: Yes—and in my opinion a journalist incurs a heavy responsibility if he neglects a favourable opportunity of emancipating the masses—the humble and oppressed. I know well enough that in exalted circles I shall be called an agitator, and all that sort of thing; but they may call what they like. If only my conscience doesn’t reproach me, then—

  DR. STOCKMANN: Quite right! Quite right, Mr. Hovstad. But all the same—devil take it! (A knock is heard at the door.) Come in!

  (ASLAKSEN appears at the door. He is poorly but decently dressed, in black, with a slightly crumpled white neckcloth; he wears gloves and has a felt hat in his hand.)

  ASLAKSEN (bowing): Excuse my taking the liberty, Doctor—

  DR. STOCKMANN (getting up): Ah, it is you, Aslaksen!

  ASLAKSEN: Yes, Doctor.

  HOVSTAD (standing up): Is it me you want, Aslaksen?

  ASLAKSEN: No; I didn’t know I should find you here. No, it was the Doctor I—

  DR. STOCKMANN: I am quite at your service. What is it?

  ASLAKSEN: Is what I heard from Mr. Billing true, sir—that you mean to improve our water supply?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, for the Baths.

  ASLAKSEN: Quite so, I understand. Well, I have come to say that I will back that up by every means in my power.

  HOVSTAD (to the DOCTOR): You see!

  DR. STOCKMANN: I shall be very grateful to you, but—

  ASLAKSEN: Because it may be no bad thing to have us small tradesmen at your back. We form, as it were, a compact majority in the town—if we choose. And it is always a good thing to have the majority with you, Doctor.

  DR. STOCKMANN: That is undeniably true; but I confess I don’t see why such unusual precautions should be necessary in this case. It seems to me that such a plain, straightforward thing.

  ASLAKSEN: Oh, it may be very desirable, all the same. I know our local authorities so well; officials are not generally very ready to act on proposals that come from other people. That is why I think it would not be at all amiss if we made a little demonstration.

  HOVSTAD: That’s right.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Demonstration, did you say? What on earth are you going to make a demonstration about?

  ASLAKSEN: We shall proceed with the greatest moderation, Doctor. Moderation is always my aim; it is the greatest virtue in a citizen—at least, I think so.

  DR. STOCKMANN: It is well known to be a characteristic of yours, Mr. Aslaksen.

  ASLAKSEN: Yes, I think I may pride myself on that. And this matter of the water supply is of the greatest importance to us small tradesmen. The Baths promise to be a regular gold mine for the town. We shall all make our living out of them, especially those of us who are householders. That is why we will back up the project as strongly as possible. And as I am at present Chairman of the Householders’ Association.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes—?

  ASLAKSEN: And, what is more, local secretary of the Temperance Society—you know, sir, I suppose, that I am a worker in the temperance cause?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Of course, of course.

  ASLAKSEN: Well, you can understand that I come into contact with a great many people. And as I have the reputation of a temperate and law abiding citizen—like yourself, Doctor—I have a certain influence in the town, a little bit of power, if I may be allowed to say so.

  DR. STOCKMANN: I know that quite well, Mr. Aslaksen.

  ASLAKSEN: So you see it would be an easy matter for me to set on foot some testimonial, if necessary.

  DR. STOCKMANN: A testimonial?

  ASLAKSEN: Yes, some kind of an address of thanks from the townsmen for your share in a matter of such importance to the community. I need scarcely say that it would have to be drawn up with the greatest regard to moderation, so as not to offend the authorities—who, after all, have the reins in their hands. If we pay strict attention to that, no one can take it amiss, I should think!

  HOVSTAD: Well, and even supposing they didn’t like it—

  ASLAKSEN: No, no, no; there must be no discourtesy to the authorities, Mr. Hovstad, it is no use falling foul of those upon whom our welfare so closely depends. I have done that in my time, and no good ever comes of it. But no one can take exception to a reasonable and frank expression of a citizen’s views.

  DR. STOCKMANN (shaking him by the hand): I can’t tell you, dear Mr. Aslaksen, how extremely pleased I am to find such hearty support among my fellow citizens. I am delighted—delighted! Now, you will take a small glass of sherry, eh?

  ASLAKSEN: No, thank you; I never drink alcohol of that kind.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Well, what do you say to a glass of beer, then?

  ASLAKSEN: Nor that either, thank you, Doctor. I never drink anything as early as this. I am going into town now to talk this over with one or two householders, and prepare the ground.

  DR. STOCKMANN: It is tremendously kind of you, Mr. Aslaksen; but I really cannot understand the necessity for all these precautions. It seems to me that the thing should go of itself.

  ASLAKSEN: The authorities are somewhat slow to move, Doctor. Far be it from me to seem to blame them—

  HOVSTAD: We are going to stir them up in the paper tomorrow, Aslaksen.

  ASLAKSEN: But not violently, I trust, Mr. Hovstad. Proceed with moderation, or you will do nothing with them. You may take my advice; I have gathered my experience in the school of life. Well, I must say goodbye, Doctor. You know now that we small tradesmen are at your back at all events, like a solid wall. You have the compact majority on your side Doctor.

  DR. STOCKMANN: I am very much obliged, dear Mr. Aslaksen, (Shakes hands with him.) Goodbye, goodbye.

  ASLAKSEN: Are you going my way, towards the printing office. Mr. Hovstad?

  HOVSTAD: I will come later; I have something to settle up first.

  ASLAKSEN: Very well. (Bows and goes out; STOCKMANN follows him into the hall.)

  HOVSTAD (as STOCKMANN comes in again): Well, what do you think of that, Doctor? Don’t you think it is high time we stirred a little life into all this slackness and vacillation and cowardice?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Are you referring to Aslaksen?

  HOVSTAD: Yes, I am. He is one of those who are floundering in a bog—decent enough fellow though he may be, otherwise. And most of the people here are in just the same case—seesawing and edging first to one side and then to the other, so overcome with caution and scruple that they never dare to take any decided step.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, but Aslaksen seemed to me so thoroughly well-intentioned.

  HOVSTAD: There is one thing I esteem higher than that; and that is for a man to be self-reliant and sure of himself.

  DR. STOCKMANN: I think you are perfectly right there.

  HOVSTAD: That is why I want to seize this opportunity, and try if I cannot manage to put a little virility into these well-intentioned people for once. The idol of Authority must be shattered in this town. This gross and inexcusable blunder about the water supply must be brought home to the mind of every municipal voter.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Very well; if you are of opinion that it is for the good of the community, so be it. But not until I have had a talk with my brother.

  HOVSTAD: Anyway, I will get a leading article ready; and if the Mayor refuses to take the matter up—

  DR. STOCKMANN: How can you suppose such a thing possible!

  HOVSTAD: It is conceivable. And in that case—

  DR. STOCKMANN: In that case I promise you—. Look here, in that case you may print my report—every word of it.

  HOVSTAD: May I? Have I your word for it?

  DR. STOCKMANN (giving him the MS.): Here it is; take it with you. It can do no harm for you to read it through, and you can give it me back later on.

  HOVSTAD: Good, good! That is what I will do. And now goodbye, Doctor.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Goodbye, goodbye. You will see everything will run quite smoothly, Mr. Hovstad—quite smoothly.

  HOVSTAD: Hm!—we shall see. (Bows and goes out.)

  DR. STOCKMANN (opens the dining room door and looks in): Katherine! Oh, you are back, Petra?

  PETRA (coming in): Yes, I have just come from the school.

  MRS. STOCKMANN (coming in): Has he not been here yet?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Peter? No, but I have had a long talk with Hovstad. He is quite excited about my discovery, I find it has a much wider bearing than I at first imagined. And he has put his paper at my disposal if necessity should arise.

  MRS. STOCKMANN: Do you think it will?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Not for a moment. But at all events it makes me feel proud to know that I have the liberal-minded independent press on my side. Yes, and just imagine—I have had a visit from the Chairman of the Householders’ Association!

  MRS. STOCKMANN: Oh! What did he want?

  DR. STOCKMANN: To offer me his support too. They will support me in a body if it should be necessary. Katherine—do you know what I have got behind me?

  MRS. STOCKMANN: Behind you? No, what have you got behind you?

  DR. STOCKMANN: The compact majority.

  MRS. STOCKMANN: Really? Is that a good thing for you Thomas?

  DR. STOCKMANN: I should think it was a good thing. (Walks up and down rubbing his hands.) By Jove, it’s a fine thing to feel this bond of brotherhood between oneself and one’s fellow citizens!

  PETRA: And to be able to do so much that is good and useful, father!

  DR. STOCKMANN: And for one’s own native town into the bargain, my child!

  MRS. STOCKMANN: That was a ring at the bell.

  DR. STOCKMANN: It must be he, then. (A knock is heard at the door.) Come in!

  PETER STOCKMANN (comes in from the hall): Good morning.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Glad to see you, Peter!

  MRS. STOCKMANN: Good morning, Peter, How are you?

  PETER STOCKMANN: So so, thank you. (To DR. STOCKMANN.) I received from you yesterday, after office hours, a report dealing with the condition of the water at the Baths.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes. Have you read it?

  PETER STOCKMANN: Yes, I have,

  DR. STOCKMANN: And what have you to say to it?

  PETER STOCKMANN (with a sidelong glance): Hm!—

  MRS. STOCKMANN: Come along, Petra. (She and PETRA go into the room on the left.)

  PETER STOCKMANN (after a pause): Was it necessary to make all these investigations behind my back?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, because until I was absolutely certain about it—

  PETER STOCKMANN: Then you mean that you are absolutely certain now?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Surely you are convinced of that.

  PETER STOCKMANN: Is it your intention to bring this document before the Baths Committee as a sort of official communication?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Certainly. Something must be done in the matter—and that quickly.

  PETER STOCKMANN: As usual, you employ violent expressions in your report. You say, amongst other things, that what we offer visitors in our Baths is a permanent supply of poison.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Well, can you describe it any other way, Peter? Just think—water that is poisonous, whether you drink it or bathe in it! And this we offer to the poor sick folk who come to us trustfully and pay us at an exorbitant rate to be made well again!

  PETER STOCKMANN: And your reasoning leads you to this conclusion, that we must build a sewer to draw off the alleged impurities from Molledal and must relay the water conduits.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes. Do you see any other way out of it? I don’t.

  PETER STOCKMANN: I made a pretext this morning to go and see the town engineer, and, as if only half seriously, broached the subject of these proposals as a thing we might perhaps have to take under consideration sometime later on.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Sometime later on!

  PETER STOCKMANN: He smiled at what he considered to be my extravagance, naturally. Have you taken the trouble to consider what your proposed alterations would cost? According to the information I obtained, the expenses would probably mount up to fifteen or twenty thousand pounds.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Would it cost so much?

  PETER STOCKMANN: Yes; and the worst part of it would be that the work would take at least two years.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Two years? Two whole years?

  PETER STOCKMANN: At least. And what are we to do with the Baths in the meantime? Close them? Indeed we should be obliged to. And do you suppose anyone would come near the place after it had got out that the water was dangerous?

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes but, Peter, that is what it is.

  PETER STOCKMANN: And all this at this juncture—just as the Baths are beginning to be known. There are other towns in the neigh-bourhood with qualifications to attract visitors for bathing purposes. Don’t you suppose they would immediately strain every nerve to divert the entire stream of strangers to themselves? Unquestionably they would; and then where should we be? We should probably have to abandon the whole thing, which has cost us so much money—and then you would have ruined your native town.

  DR. STOCKMANN: I—should have ruined—!

  PETER STOCKMANN: It is simply and solely through the Baths that the town has before it any future worth mentioning. You know that just as well as I.

  DR. STOCKMANN: But what do you think ought to be done, then?

  PETER STOCKMANN: Your report has not convinced me that the condition of the water at the Baths is as bad as you represent it to be.

  DR. STOCKMANN: I tell you it is even worse!—or at all events it will be in summer, when the warm weather comes.

  PETER STOCKMANN: As I said, I believe you exaggerate the matter considerably. A capable physician ought to know what measures to take—he ought to be capable of preventing injurious influences or of remedying them if they become obviously persistent.

  DR. STOCKMANN: Well? What more?

  PETER STOCKMANN: The water supply for the Baths is now an established fact, and in consequence must be treated as such. But probably the Committee, at its discretion, will not be disinclined to consider the question of how far it might be possible to introduce certain improvements consistently with a reasonable expenditure.

  DR. STOCKMANN: And do you suppose that I will have anything to do with such a piece of trickery as that?

  PETER STOCKMANN: Trickery!!

  DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, it would be a trick—a fraud, a lie, a downright crime towards the public, towards the whole community!

  PETER STOCKMANN: I have not, as I remarked before, been able to convince myself that there is actually any imminent danger.

  DR. STOCKMANN: You have! It is impossible that you should not be convinced. I know I have represented the facts absolutely truthfully and fairly. And you know it very well, Peter, only you won’t acknowledge it. It was owing to your action that both the Baths and the water conduits were built where they are; and that is what you won’t acknowledge—that damnable blunder of yours. Pooh!—do you suppose I don’t see through you?