Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/59

 Mrs. Stockmann.

Perhaps. But I don't like it—not here, at home.

Petra.

There's no end of hypocrisy both at home and at school. At home you must hold your tongue, and at school you have to stand up and tell lies to the children.

Horster.

Have you to tell lies?

Petra.

Yes; do you think we don't have to tell them many and many a thing we don't believe ourselves?

Billing.

Ah, that's too true.

Petra.

If only I could afford it, I should start a school myself, and things should be very different there.

Billing.

Oh, afford it!

Horster.

If you really think of doing that, Miss Stockmann, I shall be delighted to let you have a room at my place. You know my father's old house is nearly empty; there's a great big dining-room on the ground floor

Petra.

[Laughing.] Oh, thank you very much—but I'm afraid it won't come to anything.