Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/215

 Horster.

Yes, there's no difficulty about that. I have room enough, and I'm hardly ever at home myself.

Mrs. Stockmann. Oh, how kind of you, Captain Horster.

Petra. Thank you!

Dr. Stockmann.

[Shaking his hand.] Thanks, thanks! So that is off my mind. And this very day I shall set to work in earnest. Oh, there's no end of work to be done here, Katrina! It's a good thing I shall have all my time at my disposal now; for you must know I've had notice from the Baths

Mrs. Stockmann. [Sighing.] Oh yes, I was expecting that.

Dr. Stockmann.

And now they want to take away my practice as well. But let them! The poor I shall keep anyhow—those that can't pay; and, good Lord! it's they that need me most. But by heaven! I'll make them listen to me; I'll preach to them in season and out of season, as the saying goes.

Mrs. Stockmann.

My dear Thomas, I should have thought you had learnt what good preaching does.

Dr. Stockmann. You really are absurd, Katrina. Am I to let