Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/139

 forgive my following my husband here; remember, I am the mother of three children.

Dr. Stockmann.

Stuff and nonsense! We all know that well enough.

Mrs. Stockmann.

Well, it doesn't look as if you thought very much about your wife and children to-day, or you wouldn't be so ready to plunge us all into ruin.

Dr. Stockmann.

Are you quite mad, Katrina! Has a man with a wife and children no right to proclaim the truth? Has he no right to be an active and useful citizen? Has he no right to do his duty by the town he lives in?

Mrs. Stockmann. Everything in moderation, Thomas!

Aslaksen.

That's just what I say. Moderation in everything.

Mrs. Stockmann.

You are doing us a great wrong, Mr. Hovstad, in enticing my husband away from house and home, and befooling him in this way.

Hovstad. I am not befooling any one

Dr. Stockmann.

Befooling! Do you think I should let myself be befooled?