rely--

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 to mix with young, eager, ambitious men, men of
liberal and active minds; and that describes every one of those fellows
who are enjoying their supper in there. I wish you knew more of Hovstad.

Peter Stockmann. By the way, Hovstad was telling me he was going to
print another article of yours.

Dr. Stockmann. An article of mine?

Peter Stockmann. Yes, about the Baths. An article you wrote in the
winter.

Dr. Stockmann. Oh, that one! No, I don't intend that to appear just for
the present.

Peter Stockmann. Why not? It seems to me that this would be the most
opportune moment.

Dr. Stockmann. Yes, very likely--under normal conditions. (Crosses the
room.)

Peter Stockmann (following him with his eyes). Is there anything
abnormal about the present conditions?

Dr. Stockmann (s