Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/133

 Burgomaster.

I have positive information. So if these extensive alterations are called for, the town itself will have to bear the cost.

Aslaksen.

Oh, plague take it all—I beg your pardon!—but this is quite another matter, Mr. Hovstad.

Hovstad. Yes, it certainly is.

Burgomaster.

The worst of it is, that we shall be obliged to close the establishment for a couple of years.

Hovstad. To close it? Completely?

Aslaksen. For two years!

Burgomaster. Yes, the work will require that time—at least.

Aslaksen.

But, damn it all! we can't stand that, Burgomaster. What are we house-owners to live on in the meantime?

Burgomaster.

It's extremely difficult to say, Mr. Aslaksen. But what would you have us do? Do you think a single visitor will come here if we go about making them fancy that the water is poisoned, that the place is pestilential, that the whole town