speak, and at school we have to stand and tell lies to the
children.

Horster. Tell lies?

Petra. Yes, don't you suppose we have to teach them all sorts of things
that we don't believe?

Billing. That is perfectly true.

Petra. If only I had the means, I would start a school of my own; and
it would be conducted on very different lines.

Billing. Oh, bother the means--!

Horster. Well if you are thinking of that, Miss Stockmann, I shall be
delighted to provide you with a schoolroom. The great big old house my
father left me is standing almost empty; there is an immense
dining-room downstairs--

Petra (laughing). Thank you very much; but I am afraid nothing will
come of it.

Hovstad. No, Miss Petra is much more likely to take to journalism, I
expect. By the way, have you had time to do anything with that English
story you promised to translate for us?

Petra. No, not yet, but you shall have it in good time.

(DR. STOCKMANN comes in from his room with an open letter in his hand.)

Dr. Stockmann (waving the letter). Well, now the town will have
something new to talk about, I can tell you!

Billing. Something new?

Mrs. Stockmann. What is this?

Dr. Stockmann. A great discovery, Katherine.

Hovstad. Really?

Mrs. Stockmann. A discovery of yours?

Dr. Stockmann. A discovery of mine. (Walks up and down.) Just let them
come saying, as usual, that it is all fancy and a crazy man's
imagination! But they will be careful what they say this time, I can
tell you!

Petra. But, father, tell us what it is.

Dr. Stockmann. Yes, yes--only give me time, and you shall know all
about it. If only I had Peter here now! It just shows how we men can go
about forming our judgments, when in reality we are as blind as any
moles--

Hovstad. What are you driving at, Doctor?

Dr. Stockmann (standing still by the table). Isn't it the universal
opinion that our town is a healthy spot?

Hovstad. Certainly.

Dr. Stockmann. Quite an unusually healthy spot, in fact--a place that
deserves to be recommended in the warmest possible manner either for
invalids or for people who are well--

Mrs. Stockmann. Yes, but my dear Thomas--

Dr. Stockmann. And we have been recommending it and praising it--I have
written and written, both in the "Messenger" and in pamphlets...

Hovstad. Well, what then?

Dr. Stockmann. And the Baths--we have called them the "main artery of
the town's life-blood," the "nerve-centre of our town," and the