Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/124

 Petra.

I could never have thought it of Billing!

Hovstad.

[Looking more closely at her.] No? Is it such a surprise to you?

Petra.

Yes. And yet—perhaps not. Oh, I don't know

Hovstad.

We journalists are not worth much, Miss Petra.

Petra.

Do you really say that?

Hovstad.

I think so, now and then.

Petra.

Yes, in the little every-day squabbles—that I can understand. But now that you have taken up a great cause

Hovstad.

You mean this affair of your father's?

Petra.

Of course. I should think you must feel yourself worth more than the general run of people now.

Hovstad.

Yes, to-day I do feel something of the sort.

Petra.

Yes, surely you must. Oh, it's a glorious career you have chosen! To be the pioneer of unrecog