Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/98

 Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, and you went and bungled the whole of my glorious plan. Oh, we see now what a set of wiseacres you were!

Burgomaster.

All I can see is that you are again seeking an outlet for your pugnacity. You want to make an onslaught on your superiors—that is an old habit of yours. You cannot endure any authority over you; you look askance at any one who holds a higher post than your own; you regard him as a personal enemy—and then you care nothing what kind of weapon you use against him. But now I have shown you how much is at stake for the town, and consequently for me too. And therefore I warn you, Thomas, that I am inexorable in the demand I am about to make of you!

Dr. Stockmann.

What demand?

Burgomaster.

As you have not had the sense to refrain from chattering to outsiders about this delicate business, which should have been kept an official secret, of course it cannot now be hushed up. All sorts of rumours will get abroad, and evil-disposed persons will invent all sorts of additions to them. It will therefore be necessary for you publicly to contradict these rumours.

Dr. Stockmann.

I! How? I don't understand you?

Burgomaster.

We expect that, after further investigation, you