Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/109

 Billing.

Strong! Why, strike me dead if he isn't crushing! Every word falls like a—well, like a sledge-hammer.

Hovstad.

Yes, but these fellows won't collapse at the first blow.

Billing.

True enough; but we'll keep on hammering away, blow after blow, till the whole officialdom comes crashing down. As I sat in there reading that article, I seemed to hear the revolution thundering afar.

Hovstad.

[Turning round.] Hush! Don't let Aslaksen hear that.

Billing.

[In a lower voice.] Aslaksen's a white-livered, cowardly fellow, without a spark of manhood in him. But this time you'll surely carry your point? Eh? You'll print the Doctor's paper?

Hovstad.

Yes, if only the Burgomaster doesn't give in

Billing.

That would be deuced annoying.

Hovstad.

Well, whatever happens, fortunately we can turn the situation to account. If the Burgomaster won't agree to the Doctor's proposal, he'll have all the small middle-class down upon him—all the House-*owners' Association, and the rest of them. And if he does agree to it, he'll fall out with the whole