Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/152

 Mrs. Stockmann.

[Sitting down.] How kind it was of you to offer Stockmann this room.

Horster.

Since no one else would, I

Petra.

[Who has also seated herself.] And it was brave too, Captain Horster.

Horster.

Oh, I don't see where the bravery comes in.

Hovstad and Aslaksen enter at the same moment, but make their way through the crowd separately.

Aslaksen.

[Going up to Horster.] Hasn't the Doctor come yet?

Horster.

He's waiting in there.

[A movement at the door in the background.

Hovstad.

[To Billing.] There's the Burgomaster! Look!

Billing,

Yes, strike me dead if he hasn't put in an appearance after all!

Burgomaster Stockmann makes his way blandly through the meeting, bowing politely to both sides, and takes his stand by the wall on the left. Soon afterwards, Dr. Stockmann enters by the door on the right. He wears a black frock-coat and white necktie. Faint applause, met by a subdued hissing. Then silence.