An Enemy of the People

Excerpt: ...me so unexpectedly-you must believe that. Petra. I know what to believe. Goodbye. Aslaksen (coming from the printing room, hurriedly and with an air of mystery). Damnation, Hovstad!-(Sees PETRA.) Oh, this is awkward- Petra. There is the book; you must give it to some one else. (Goes towards the door.) Hovstad (following her). But, Miss Stockmann- Petra. Goodbye. (Goes out.) Aslaksen. I say-Mr, Hovstad- Hovstad. Well well!-what is it? Aslaksen. The Mayor is outside in the printing room. Hovstad. The Mayor, did you say? Aslaksen. Yes he wants to speak to you. He came in by the back door-didn't want to be seen, you understand. Hovstad. What can he want? Wait a bit-I will go myself. (Goes to the door of the printing room, opens it, bows and invites PETER STOCKMANN in.) Just see, Aslaksen, that no one- Aslaksen. Quite so. (Goes into the printing-room.) Peter Stockmann. You did not expect to see me here, Mr. Hovstad? Hovstad. No, I confess I did not. Peter Stockmann (looking round). You are very snug in here-very nice indeed. Hovstad. Oh- Peter Stockmann. And here I come, without any notice, to take up your time! Hovstad. By all means, Mr. Mayor. I am at your service. But let me relieve you of your-(takes STOCKMANN's hat and stick and puts them on a chair). Won't you sit down? Peter Stockmann (sitting down by the table). Thank you. (HOVSTAD sits down.) I have had an extremely annoying experience to-day, Mr. Hovstad. Hovstad. Really? Ah well, I expect with all the various business you have to attend to- Peter Stockmann. The Medical Officer of the Baths is responsible for what happened today. Hovstad. Indeed? The Doctor? Peter Stockmann. He has addressed a kind of report to the Baths Committee on the subject of certain supposed defects in the Baths. Hovstad. Has he indeed? Peter Stockmann. Yes-has he not told you? I thought he said- Hovstad. Ah, yes-it is true he did mention something about- Aslaksen (coming from the...