Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/111

 Dr. Stockmann.

Print away, I tell you. To be sure it has come to that. Since they will have it so, they must. War is declared, Mr. Billing!

Billing.

War to the knife, say I! War to the death, Doctor!

Dr. Stockmann.

This article is only the beginning. I have four or five others sketched out in my head already. But where do you keep Aslaksen?

Billing.

[Calling into the printing-room.] Aslasken! just come here a moment.

Hovstad.

Four or five more articles, eh? On the same subject?

Dr. Stockmann.

Oh no—not at all, my dear fellow. No; they will deal with quite different matters. But they're all of a piece with the water-works and sewer question. One thing leads to another. It's just like beginning to pick at an old house, don't you know?

Billing.

Strike me dead, but that's true! You feel you can't leave off till you've pulled the whole lumber-*heap to pieces.

Aslaksen.

[Enters from the printing-room.] Pulled to pieces! Surely the Doctor isn't thinking of pulling the Baths to pieces?