Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/214

 emissaries of the devil! But now I'll sharpen my pen against them till it becomes a goad; I'll dip it in gall and venom; I'll hurl my inkstand straight at their skulls.

Mrs. Stockmann. You forget we are going away, Thomas.

Petra returns.

Dr. Stockmann. Well?

Petra. She has gone.

Dr. Stockmann.

Good. Going away, do you say? No, I'll be damned if we do; we stay where we are, Katrina!

Petra. Stay!

Mrs. Stockmann. Here in the town?

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, here; the field of battle is here; here the fight must be fought; here I will conquer! As soon as my trousers are mended, I shall go out into the town and look for a house; we must have a roof over our heads for the winter.

Horster.

That you can have in my house.

Dr. Stockmann. Can I?