Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/91

 Dr. Stockmann.

Why, Peter, what else can it be called? Only think—poisoned water both internally and externally! And that to poor invalids who come to us in all confidence, and pay us handsomely to cure them!

Burgomaster.

And then you announce as your conclusion that we must build a sewer to carry off the alleged impurities from the Mill Dale, and must re-lay all the water-pipes.

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes. Can you suggest any other plan?—I know of none.

Burgomaster.

I found a pretext for looking in at the town engineer's this morning, and—in a half-jesting way—I mentioned these alterations as things we might possibly have to consider, at some future time.

Dr. Stockmann.

At some future time!

Burgomaster.

Of course he smiled at what he thought my extravagance. Have you taken the trouble to think what your proposed alterations would cost? From what the engineer said, I gathered that the expenses would probably mount up to several hundred thousand crowns.

Dr. Stockmann.

So much as that?