Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/72

 Morten Kiil.

Oh, you can never be sure of anybody. You may be made a fool of before you know where you are. So it is true, after all?

Dr. Stockmann.

Most certainly it is. Do sit down, father-in-law. [Forces him down on the sofa.] Now isn't it a real blessing for the town?

Morten Kiil.

[Suppressing his laughter.] A blessing for the town?

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, that I made this discovery in time

Morten Kiil.

[As before.] Ay, ay, ay!—Well, I could never have believed that you would play monkey-tricks with your very own brother.

Dr. Stockmann.

Monkey-tricks!

Mrs. Stockmann.

Why, father dear

Morten Kiil.

[Resting his hands and chin on the top of his stick and blinking slyly at the Doctor.] What was it again? Wasn't it that some animals had got into the water-pipes?

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes; infusorial animals.

Morten Kiil.

And any number of these animals had got in, Petra said—whole swarms of them.