Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/163

 But yesterday morning—no, it was really two nights ago—my mind's eyes were opened wide, and the first thing I saw was the colossal stupidity of the authorities

[Noise, cries, and laughter. Mrs. Stockmann coughs repeatedly.

Burgomaster.

Mr. Chairman!

Aslaksen.

[Ringing his bell.] In virtue of my position!

Dr. Stockmann.

It's petty to catch me up on a word, Mr. Aslaksen! I only mean that I became alive to the extraordinary muddle our leading men had been guilty of, down at the Baths. I cannot for the life of me abide leading men—I've seen enough of them in my time. They are like goats in a young plantation: they do harm at every point; they block the path of a free man wherever he turns—and I should be glad if we could exterminate them like other noxious animals

[Uproar in the room.

Burgomaster.

Mr. Chairman, are such expressions permissible?

Aslaksen.

[With his hand on the bell.] Dr. Stockmann

Dr. Stockmann.

I can't conceive how it is that I have only now seen through these gentry; for haven't I had a magnificent example before my eyes here every