Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/170

 A Citizen. [Shouting.] Blow your horn, Evensen.

[The deep notes of a horn are heard; whistling, and terrific noise in the room.

Dr. Stockmann.

[When the noise has somewhat subsided.] Now do be reasonable! Can't you bear even for once in a way to hear the voice of truth? I don't ask you all to agree with me on the instant. But I certainly should have expected Mr. Hovstad to back me up, as soon as he had collected himself a bit. Mr. Hovstad sets up to be a freethinker

Several Voices.

[Subdued and wondering.] Freethinker, did he say? What? Mr. Hovstad a freethinker?

Hovstad.

[Shouting.] Prove it, Dr. Stockmann. When have I said so in print?

Dr. Stockmann.

[Reflecting.] No, upon my soul, you're right there; you've never had the frankness to do that. Well, well, I won't put you on the rack, Mr. Hovstad. Let me be the freethinker then. And now I'll make it clear to you all, and on scientific grounds too, that the Messenger is leading you shamefully by the nose, when it tells you that you, the masses, the crowd, are the true pith of the people. I tell you that's only a newspaper lie. The masses are nothing but the raw material that must be fashioned into a People.

[Murmurs, laughter, and disturbance in the room.