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An Enemy of the People Act I · The Henrik Ibsen Library

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Act one of an Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen,
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  Speaker 1: translated by R. Frock Wharton Sharp. This is a LibriVox recording.
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  Speaker 1: All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
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  Speaker 1: information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Dramatis
• 0:19
  Speaker 1: Personae narrated by Libby Gaughan.
• 0:23
  Speaker 2: Doctor Thomas Stockman, medical officer of the Municipal Baths, read
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  Speaker 2: by Bob Neufeld.
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  Speaker 3: Missus Stockman read by Elisabeth Klett.
• 0:33
  Speaker 4: Petra their daughter a teacher read by Amanda Friday.
• 0:39
  Speaker 5: Eileif read by Shallott Ducats.
• 0:42
  Speaker 1: Lauren Burwell reading for Morton Peter.
• 0:45
  Speaker 6: Stockman, the doctor's older brother, Mayor of the town and
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  Speaker 6: chief Constable, Chairman of the Bads Committee, et cetera, read
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  Speaker 6: by Algie pag.
• 0:56
  Speaker 4: Martin, keel A.
• 0:57
  Speaker 1: Tanner, and Missus Stockman's adoptive father read by Nathaniel W. C.
• 1:01
  Speaker 1: Higgins Hofstad, Editor of the People's Messenger, read by Libby.
• 1:07
  Speaker 7: Gone Billing, sub editor read by Kevin Davidson.
• 1:12
  Speaker 8: Captain Horster read by David Olsen.
• 1:15
  Speaker 3: Asliksen read by Ari L. Lipshaw, First Citizen read by
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  Speaker 3: Elisabeth Klett.
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  Speaker 4: Second Citizen, read by Lynn Thompson. Third Citizen read by
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  Speaker 4: Tricia g.
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  Speaker 5: False Citizen read by Charlotte Duckett.
• 1:32
  Speaker 8: A Drunken Man read by David Olsen.
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  Speaker 1: Scene Doctor Stockman's sitting room. It is evening. The room
• 1:40
  Speaker 1: is plainly but neatly appointed and furnished. In the right
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  Speaker 1: hand wall are two doors. The father leads out to
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  Speaker 1: the hall, the nearer to the doctor's study. In the
• 1:50
  Speaker 1: left hand wall, Opposite the door leading to the hall
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  Speaker 1: is a door leading to the other rooms occupied by
• 1:55
  Speaker 1: the family. In the middle of the same wall stands
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  Speaker 1: a stove, and further forward a couch with a looking
• 2:01
  Speaker 1: glass hanging over it, and an oval table in front
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  Speaker 1: of it. On the table a lighted lamp with a
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  Speaker 1: lamp shade. At the back of the room, an open
• 2:10
  Speaker 1: door leads to the dining room. Billing is seen sitting
• 2:13
  Speaker 1: at the dining table, on which a lamp is burning.
• 2:16
  Speaker 1: He has a napkin tucked under his chin, and Missus
• 2:19
  Speaker 1: Stockman is standing by the table, handing him a large
• 2:22
  Speaker 1: plate full of roast beef. The other places at the
• 2:25
  Speaker 1: table are empty, and the table somewhat in disorder, evidently
• 2:29
  Speaker 1: a meal having recently been finished.
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  Speaker 3: You see if you come an hour late, mister billing,
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  Speaker 3: you have to put up with cold meat.
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  Speaker 7: It is uncommonly good. Thank you, remarkably good.
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  Speaker 3: My husband makes such a point of having his meals punctually.
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  Speaker 7: You know that doesn't affect me a bit. Indeed, I
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  Speaker 7: almost think I enjoy a meal all the better when
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  Speaker 7: I can sit down and eat all by myself and undisturbed.
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  Speaker 3: Oh well, as long as you are enjoying it, I
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  Speaker 3: expect that as mister start coming too, very.
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  Speaker 1: Likely Peter Stockman comes in. He wears an overcoat and
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  Speaker 1: his official hat and carries a stick.
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  Speaker 6: Good evening, Catherine, Oh good evening is it you?
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  Speaker 3: How good of you to come up and see us.
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  Speaker 6: I haven't been passing, and sir, but you have company
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  Speaker 6: with you, I see.
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  Speaker 3: Oh no, it was quite my chance he came in.
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  Speaker 3: Won't you come in and have something too?
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  Speaker 2: Ah?
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  Speaker 6: No, thank you, good gracious hot meal at night, not
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  Speaker 6: with my digestion.
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  Speaker 3: Oh but just once in a way.
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  Speaker 9: No, no, my.
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  Speaker 6: Dear lady, I stick to my tea and bread and butter.
• 3:41
  Speaker 6: It is much more wholesome in the long run, and
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  Speaker 6: a little more economical too.
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  Speaker 3: Now you mustn't think that Thomas and I are spend thrifts.
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  Speaker 6: Not you, my dear, I would never think that of you.
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  Speaker 1: Points to the doctor's study.
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  Speaker 9: Is he not at home?
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  Speaker 3: No, he went out for a little turn after supper,
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  Speaker 3: he and the boys.
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  Speaker 6: I doubt if that is a wise thing to do.
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  Speaker 6: I fancy I hear him coming now.
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  Speaker 3: No, I don't think it is he.
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  Speaker 1: A knock is heard at the door. Come in, Hofstad,
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  Speaker 1: comes in from the hall.
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  Speaker 3: Oh it is you, mister Hofstadt.
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  Speaker 1: Yes, I hope you will forgive me. But I was
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  Speaker 1: delayed at the Printer's Good evening, mister mayor.
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  Speaker 6: Good evening. You have come on business, no doubt.
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  Speaker 1: Partly it's about an article for the paper, so I imagined.
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  Speaker 6: I hear my brother has become a prolific contributor to
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  Speaker 6: the People's Messenger.
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  Speaker 1: Yes, he is good enough to write in the People's
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  Speaker 1: Messenger when he has any home truths to tell. But
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  Speaker 1: won't you point to the dining room?
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  Speaker 9: Right?
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  Speaker 6: So quite so, I don't blame him in the least
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  Speaker 6: as a writer for addressing himself to the quarters where
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  Speaker 6: he will find the readiest sympathy. And besides that, I
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  Speaker 6: personally have no reason to bear any ill will to
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  Speaker 6: your paper, mister.
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  Speaker 1: Hobstad, I quite agree with you, taking.
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  Speaker 6: One thing with another. There is an excellent spirit of
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  Speaker 6: toleration in the town, an admirable municipal spirit, and it
• 5:14
  Speaker 6: all springs from the fact of our having a great
• 5:16
  Speaker 6: common interest to Uniteds, an interest that is in an
• 5:20
  Speaker 6: equally high degree the concern of every right minded citizen.
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  Speaker 1: The baths, Yes.
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  Speaker 6: Exactly, our fine new handsome baths, Mark my words, mister Hobstad.
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  Speaker 6: The baths will become the focus of our municipal life,
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  Speaker 6: not a doubt of it.
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  Speaker 3: That is just what Thomas says.
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  Speaker 6: Think how extraordinarily the place is developed. Within the last
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  Speaker 6: year or two. Money has been flowing in and there
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  Speaker 6: is some life and some business doing in the town.
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  Speaker 6: Houses and landed property are rising in value every day.
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  Speaker 1: And unemployment is diminishing.
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  Speaker 6: Yes, that is another thing. The burden on the poor
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  Speaker 6: rates has been lightened to the great relief for the
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  Speaker 6: property classes. And that relief will be even greater if
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  Speaker 6: we only get a really good summer this year and
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  Speaker 6: lots of visitors, plenty of invalids who will make the
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  Speaker 6: baths talked about, And there.
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  Speaker 1: Is a good prospect of that. I hear.
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  Speaker 6: It looks very promising. Inquiries about apartments and that sort
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  Speaker 6: of thing are reaching.
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  Speaker 9: Us every day.
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  Speaker 1: Well, the doctor's article will come in very suitably.
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  Speaker 6: Has he been writing something just lately?
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  Speaker 1: This is something he wrote in the winter, A recommendation
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  Speaker 1: of the baths, an account of the excellent sanitary conditions here.
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  Speaker 1: But I held the article over temporarily.
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  Speaker 6: Ah, some little difficulty about it, I suppose.
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  Speaker 1: No, not at all. I thought it would be better
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  Speaker 1: to wait until the spring, because it is just at
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  Speaker 1: this time that people begin to think seriously about their
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  Speaker 1: summer quarters.
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  Speaker 6: Quite right, you're perfectly right, mister Hobstadt.
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  Speaker 1: Yes, Thomas is really indefatigable when it is a question
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  Speaker 1: of the baths.
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  Speaker 6: Well, remember he is the medical officer to the baths.
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  Speaker 1: Yes, and what is more, they owe their excellence to him.
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  Speaker 6: To him, Indeed, it is true I have heard from
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  Speaker 6: time to time that some people are of that opinion.
• 7:17
  Speaker 6: At the same time, I must say, I imagine that
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  Speaker 6: I took a modest part in the enterprise.
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  Speaker 3: Yes, that is what Thomas is always saying.
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  Speaker 1: But who denies it? Mister Stockman, you set the thing
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  Speaker 1: going and made a practical concern of it. We all
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  Speaker 1: know that I only meant that the idea of it
• 7:35
  Speaker 1: came first from the doctor.
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  Speaker 6: Oh ideas, yes, my brother has had plenty of them
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  Speaker 6: in his time. Unfortunately, but when it is a question
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  Speaker 6: of putting an idea into practical shape, you have to
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  Speaker 6: apply to a man of different metal, mister Hofstadt. And
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  Speaker 6: I certainly should have thought that in this house at least.
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  Speaker 3: My dear Peter, how can you think that? Won't you
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  Speaker 3: go in and have something, mister Hofstad? My husband is
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  Speaker 3: sure to be back directly.
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  Speaker 1: Thank you. Perhaps just no morsel goes into the dining room.
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  Speaker 6: It is a curious thing that these farmers' sons never
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  Speaker 6: seem to lose their want of tact.
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  Speaker 3: Surely it is not worth bothering about. Cannot you and
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  Speaker 3: Thomas share the credit as brothers?
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  Speaker 6: I should have thought so, But apparently some people are
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  Speaker 6: not satisfied with the share.
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  Speaker 3: What nonsense? You and Thomas get on so capitally together.
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  Speaker 3: There he is, at last, I think.
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  Speaker 1: Goes out and opens the door leading to the hall.
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  Speaker 2: Oh look, here here is another guest for you, Catherine.
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  Speaker 2: Isn't that jolly? Come in, Captain Horst, hang your coat
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  Speaker 2: up on this peg. Ah, you don't wear an overcoat.
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  Speaker 2: Just think, Catherine. I met him in the streets and
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  Speaker 2: could hardly persuade him to come up.
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  Speaker 1: Captain Horster comes into the room and greets missus Stockman.
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  Speaker 1: He is followed by doctor Stockman.
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  Speaker 2: Come along in boys, they are ravenously hungry again, you know,
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  Speaker 2: Come along, Captain Horster. You must have a slice of beef.
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  Speaker 1: Pushes Horster into the dining room. Aileaf and Morton going
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  Speaker 1: after them.
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  Speaker 3: But Thomas, don't you see ah?
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  Speaker 9: Is it you? Peter?
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  Speaker 2: Now? That is very delightful. Unfortunately I must go in
• 9:26
  Speaker 2: a moment. Rubbish. There is some toddy just coming in.
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  Speaker 2: You haven't forgotten the toddy, Catherine, of.
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  Speaker 3: Course, not. The water is boiling.
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  Speaker 1: Now goes into the dining room.
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  Speaker 2: Toddy too. Yes, sit down and we'll have it comfortably.
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  Speaker 9: Thanks. I never cared about.
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  Speaker 2: An evening's drinking, but this isn't an evening's drinking.
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  Speaker 9: It seems to me.
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  Speaker 1: Looks toward the dining room.
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  Speaker 6: It is extraordinary how they can put away all that food.
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  Speaker 2: Yes, isn't it splendid to see young people eat? They
• 10:02
  Speaker 2: have always got an appetite. You know, that's as it
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  Speaker 2: should be. Lots of food to build up their strength.
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  Speaker 2: They are the people who are going to stir up
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  Speaker 2: the fermenting forces of the future.
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  Speaker 6: Peter, may I ask what they will find here to
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  Speaker 6: stir up?
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  Speaker 2: As you put it, Ah, you must ask the young
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  Speaker 2: people that when the time comes, we shan't be able
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  Speaker 2: to see it. Of course, that stands the reason to
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  Speaker 2: old fogies like us.
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  Speaker 6: Really, really, I must say that is an extremely odd expression, too.
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  Speaker 2: Oh, you mustn't take me too literally, Peter. I am
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  Speaker 2: so heartily happy and contented, you know. I think it
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  Speaker 2: is such an extraordinary piece of good fortune to be
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  Speaker 2: in the middle of all this growing, germinating life. It
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  Speaker 2: is a splendid time to live in. It is as
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  Speaker 2: if a whole new world were being created around one.
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  Speaker 9: Do you really think so? Ah?
• 10:58
  Speaker 2: Naturally you can appreciated as keenly as I. You have
• 11:02
  Speaker 2: lived all your life in these surroundings, and your impressions
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  Speaker 2: have been blunted. But I, who have been buried all
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  Speaker 2: these years in my little corner up north, almost without
• 11:13
  Speaker 2: ever seeing a stranger who might bring new ideas with him. Well,
• 11:17
  Speaker 2: in my case it has just the same effect as
• 11:21
  Speaker 2: if I had been transported into the middle of a
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  Speaker 2: crowded city. Oh a city, I know, I know, it
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  Speaker 2: is all cramped enough here compared with many other places.
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  Speaker 2: But there is life here, There is promise. There are
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  Speaker 2: innumerable things to work for and fight for, and that
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  Speaker 2: is the main thing. Catherine. Hasn't the postman been here?
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  Speaker 1: No?
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  Speaker 2: And then to be comfortably off, Peter, that is something
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  Speaker 2: one learns the value when one has been on the
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  Speaker 2: brink of starvation as we have. Oh surely, indeed, I
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  Speaker 2: can assure you we have often been very hard. But
• 12:00
  Speaker 2: to it up there and now to be able to
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  Speaker 2: live like a lord to day. For instance, we had
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  Speaker 2: roast beef for dinner, and what is more for supper too?
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  Speaker 2: Won't you come and have a little bit or let
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  Speaker 2: me show it to you? At any rate?
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  Speaker 9: Come here?
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  Speaker 6: No, no, not for worlds.
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  Speaker 2: Well, but just come here.
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  Speaker 6: Then?
• 12:23
  Speaker 2: Do you see we have a table cover?
• 12:26
  Speaker 6: Yes, I noticed it.
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  Speaker 2: And we have a lamp shade too, do you see?
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  Speaker 2: All out of Catherine's savings, it makes the room so cozy,
• 12:36
  Speaker 2: don't you think?
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  Speaker 9: So?
• 12:38
  Speaker 2: Just stand here for a moment. No, no, not there,
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  Speaker 2: just here, that's it. Look now when you get the
• 12:46
  Speaker 2: light on it all together, I really think it looks
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  Speaker 2: very nice, doesn't it.
• 12:50
  Speaker 6: Oh, if you can afford luxury to this kind.
• 12:54
  Speaker 2: Yes, I can't afford it. Now, Catherine tells me, I
• 12:58
  Speaker 2: earn almost as much as.
• 12:59
  Speaker 9: We spend allnerst.
• 13:02
  Speaker 2: Yes, but a scientific man must live in a little
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  Speaker 2: bit of style. I am quite sure an ordinary civil
• 13:10
  Speaker 2: servant spends more in a year than I do.
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  Speaker 6: I dare say a civil servant a man in a
• 13:16
  Speaker 6: well paid position.
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  Speaker 2: Well an ordinary merchant. Then a man in that position
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  Speaker 2: spends two or three times as much as it just
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  Speaker 2: depends on circumstances at all events. I assure you I
• 13:30
  Speaker 2: don't waste money unprofitably. But I can't find it in
• 13:34
  Speaker 2: my heart to deny myself the pleasure of entertaining my friends.
• 13:38
  Speaker 2: I need that sort of thing, you know. I have
• 13:41
  Speaker 2: lived for so long shut out of it all that
• 13:45
  Speaker 2: it is a necessity of life to me to mix
• 13:47
  Speaker 2: with young, eager, ambitious men, men of liberal and active minds.
• 13:52
  Speaker 2: And that describes every one of those fellows who are
• 13:55
  Speaker 2: enjoying their supper in there. I wish you knew more
• 13:59
  Speaker 2: of has By the.
• 14:01
  Speaker 6: Way, Hopstebb was telling me he was going to print
• 14:04
  Speaker 6: another article of yours an article of mine, Yes, about
• 14:09
  Speaker 6: the Baths, an article you wrote in the winter.
• 14:13
  Speaker 9: Oh that one.
• 14:15
  Speaker 2: Though I don't intend that to appear just for the present.
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  Speaker 9: Why not?
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  Speaker 6: It seems to me that this would be the most
• 14:22
  Speaker 6: opportune moment.
• 14:24
  Speaker 2: Yes, very likely, under normal conditions.
• 14:28
  Speaker 6: Is there anything abnormal about the present conditions?
• 14:32
  Speaker 2: To tell you the truth, Peter, I can't say, just
• 14:35
  Speaker 2: at this moment, at all events, not tonight. There may
• 14:39
  Speaker 2: be much that is very abnormal about the present conditions.
• 14:42
  Speaker 2: And it is possible there may be nothing abnormal about
• 14:46
  Speaker 2: them at all. It is quite possible it may be
• 14:48
  Speaker 2: merely my imagination.
• 14:50
  Speaker 6: I must say. It all sounds most mysterious. Is there
• 14:54
  Speaker 6: something going on that I am to be kept in
• 14:56
  Speaker 6: ignorance on? I should have imagined that I chairman of
• 15:00
  Speaker 6: the governing body of the Baths.
• 15:02
  Speaker 2: And I should have imagined that I, Oh, come, don't
• 15:06
  Speaker 2: let us fly out at one another.
• 15:08
  Speaker 9: Peter, heaven forbid.
• 15:11
  Speaker 6: I am not in the habit of flying out at people,
• 15:14
  Speaker 6: as you call it. But I am entitled to request
• 15:17
  Speaker 6: most emphatically that all the arrangements shall be made in
• 15:20
  Speaker 6: a businesslike manner, through the proper channels, and shall be
• 15:24
  Speaker 6: dealt with by the legally constituted authorities. I can allow
• 15:28
  Speaker 6: no going behind our backs by any roundabout means.
• 15:32
  Speaker 2: Have I ever at any time tried to go behind
• 15:35
  Speaker 2: your backs?
• 15:37
  Speaker 6: You have an ingrained tendency to take your own way
• 15:39
  Speaker 6: at all events, and that is almost equally inadmissible in
• 15:43
  Speaker 6: a well ordered community. The individual ought, undoubtedly to acquiesce
• 15:48
  Speaker 6: in subordinating himself to the community, or to speak more
• 15:52
  Speaker 6: accurately to the authorities who have the care of the
• 15:55
  Speaker 6: community's welfare.
• 15:57
  Speaker 9: Very likely.
• 15:58
  Speaker 2: But what the dew says, all this got to do
• 16:01
  Speaker 2: with me?
• 16:02
  Speaker 6: That is exactly what you never appear to be willing
• 16:05
  Speaker 6: to learn, my dear Thomas. But mark my words, some
• 16:09
  Speaker 6: day you will have to suffer for it, sooner or later.
• 16:13
  Speaker 6: Now I have told you goodbye.
• 16:16
  Speaker 2: Have you taken leave of your senses? You are on
• 16:20
  Speaker 2: the wrong scent altogether.
• 16:22
  Speaker 6: I am not usually that you must excuse me now
• 16:25
  Speaker 6: if I good night, Catherine, good night.
• 16:28
  Speaker 9: Gentlemen goes out?
• 16:32
  Speaker 3: Has he gone?
• 16:33
  Speaker 2: Yes, and in such a bad temper?
• 16:36
  Speaker 3: But dear Thomas, what have you been doing to him? Again?
• 16:40
  Speaker 2: Nothing at all? And anyhow, he can't oblige me to
• 16:44
  Speaker 2: make my report before the proper time.
• 16:46
  Speaker 3: What have you got to make a report to him about?
• 16:49
  Speaker 9: Hm?
• 16:50
  Speaker 2: Leave that to me, Catherine. It is an extraordinary thing
• 16:54
  Speaker 2: that the postman doesn't come.
• 16:56
  Speaker 1: Hofstad, Billing and Horster have got up from the table
• 16:59
  Speaker 1: and into the sitting room. Aile even Morton come in
• 17:02
  Speaker 1: after them.
• 17:04
  Speaker 7: Ah, what feels a new man after a meal like that?
• 17:07
  Speaker 1: The Mayor wasn't in a very sweet temper tonight?
• 17:10
  Speaker 2: Then it is his stomach, he has wretched digestion.
• 17:15
  Speaker 1: I rather think it was us, two of the People's
• 17:17
  Speaker 1: messenger that he couldn't digest.
• 17:19
  Speaker 3: I thought you came out of it pretty well with him.
• 17:22
  Speaker 1: Oh yes, but it isn't anything more than a sort
• 17:24
  Speaker 1: of truth.
• 17:25
  Speaker 7: That is just what it is. That word sums up
• 17:29
  Speaker 7: the situation.
• 17:30
  Speaker 2: We must remember that Peter is a lonely man, poor chap.
• 17:34
  Speaker 2: He has no home comforts of any kind, nothing but
• 17:37
  Speaker 2: everlasting business and all that infernal weak tea wash that
• 17:42
  Speaker 2: he pours into himself. Now, then my boys bring chairs
• 17:46
  Speaker 2: up to the table. Aren't we going to have that?
• 17:50
  Speaker 9: Toddy? Catherine?
• 17:51
  Speaker 3: I am just getting it.
• 17:53
  Speaker 2: Sit down here on the couch beside me, Captain Horster,
• 17:56
  Speaker 2: we so seldom see you.
• 17:58
  Speaker 9: Please sit down.
• 18:00
  Speaker 1: Friends, They sit down at the table. Missus Dockman brings
• 18:04
  Speaker 1: a tray with a spirit, lamp, glasses, bottled et cetera
• 18:07
  Speaker 1: upon it.
• 18:08
  Speaker 3: There you are. This is Eric, and this is Rum
• 18:12
  Speaker 3: and this one is the brandy. Now everyone must help themselves.
• 18:17
  Speaker 9: We will.
• 18:18
  Speaker 1: They all mix themselves some toddy.
• 18:21
  Speaker 2: And let us have the cigars a leaf, you know
• 18:24
  Speaker 2: where the box is? And you, Morton, can you fetch
• 18:28
  Speaker 2: my pipe?
• 18:30
  Speaker 1: The two boys go into the room on the right.
• 18:33
  Speaker 2: I have a suspicion that a leaf pockets a cigar
• 18:36
  Speaker 2: now and then, but I take no notice of it.
• 18:39
  Speaker 2: And my smoking cap too. Morton, Catherine, you can tell
• 18:43
  Speaker 2: him where I left it. Ah, he has got it.
• 18:47
  Speaker 1: The boys bring the various things.
• 18:50
  Speaker 2: Now, my friends, I stick to my pipe. You know
• 18:53
  Speaker 2: this one has seen plenty of bad weather with me
• 18:56
  Speaker 2: up north. Your good health, Ah, it is good to
• 19:01
  Speaker 2: be sitting snug and warm.
• 19:03
  Speaker 6: Here.
• 19:04
  Speaker 3: Do you sail soon? Captain Horster.
• 19:07
  Speaker 8: I expect to be ready to sail next week.
• 19:10
  Speaker 3: I suppose you were going to America.
• 19:12
  Speaker 8: Yes, that is the plan.
• 19:14
  Speaker 3: Then you won't be able to take part in the
• 19:16
  Speaker 3: coming election.
• 19:17
  Speaker 8: Is there going to be an election?
• 19:19
  Speaker 7: Didn't you know?
• 19:21
  Speaker 9: No?
• 19:21
  Speaker 7: I don't mix myself up with those things. But do
• 19:24
  Speaker 7: you not take an interest in public affairs?
• 19:27
  Speaker 9: No?
• 19:28
  Speaker 8: I don't know anything about politics. All the same, one
• 19:32
  Speaker 8: ought to vote at any rate, even if one doesn't
• 19:35
  Speaker 8: know anything about what is going on.
• 19:37
  Speaker 7: Doesn't know what do you mean by that a community
• 19:42
  Speaker 7: is like a ship. Everyone ought to be prepared to
• 19:45
  Speaker 7: take the helm.
• 19:46
  Speaker 8: Maybe that is all very well on shore, but on
• 19:49
  Speaker 8: ship it wouldn't work.
• 19:51
  Speaker 1: It is astonishing how little most sailors care about what
• 19:54
  Speaker 1: goes on on shore.
• 19:56
  Speaker 2: Very extraordinary sailors are like birds of passage. They feel
• 20:01
  Speaker 2: equally at home in any latitude, and that is only
• 20:04
  Speaker 2: an additional reason for our being all the more keen, Homstadt.
• 20:09
  Speaker 2: Is there to be anything of public interest in tomorrow's messenger?
• 20:13
  Speaker 1: Nothing about municipal affairs. But the day after tomorrow I
• 20:17
  Speaker 1: was thinking of printing your article.
• 20:19
  Speaker 2: Ah devil, take it to my article. Look here, that
• 20:24
  Speaker 2: must wait a bit.
• 20:25
  Speaker 1: Really, we have just got a convenient space for it,
• 20:28
  Speaker 1: and I thought it was just the opportune moment.
• 20:31
  Speaker 2: Yes, yes, very likely you are right, but it must
• 20:35
  Speaker 2: wait all the same. I will explain to you later.
• 20:39
  Speaker 1: Petra comes in from the hall in hat and cloak,
• 20:42
  Speaker 1: and with a bundle of exercise books under her arm.
• 20:45
  Speaker 2: Good evening, Good evening, Petra, come along.
• 20:49
  Speaker 1: Mutual greetings. Petra takes off her things and puts them
• 20:53
  Speaker 1: down on a chair by the door.
• 20:55
  Speaker 4: And you have all been sitting here enjoying yourselves while
• 20:58
  Speaker 4: I have been out slaving.
• 21:00
  Speaker 2: Well, come and enjoy yourself too.
• 21:03
  Speaker 7: May I mix a glass for you?
• 21:05
  Speaker 4: Thanks? I would rather do it, you always mix it
• 21:08
  Speaker 4: too strong. But I forgot father, I have a letter
• 21:11
  Speaker 4: for you.
• 21:12
  Speaker 1: Goes to the chair where she has laid her things, a.
• 21:15
  Speaker 4: Letter from whom the postman gave it to me just
• 21:19
  Speaker 4: as I was going out, And.
• 21:20
  Speaker 9: You only give it to me now.
• 21:23
  Speaker 4: I really had not time to run up again. There
• 21:25
  Speaker 4: it is.
• 21:27
  Speaker 9: Let's see.
• 21:27
  Speaker 2: Let's see.
• 21:28
  Speaker 1: Child looks at the address.
• 21:31
  Speaker 2: Yes, that's all right.
• 21:34
  Speaker 3: Is it the one you have been expecting so anxiously, Thomas,
• 21:37
  Speaker 3: Yes it is.
• 21:38
  Speaker 2: I must go to my room now, And where shall
• 21:41
  Speaker 2: I get a light?
• 21:42
  Speaker 9: Catherine?
• 21:43
  Speaker 2: Is there no lamp in my room?
• 21:44
  Speaker 9: Again?
• 21:45
  Speaker 3: Yes? Your lamp is already lit on your desk.
• 21:48
  Speaker 2: Good good, excuse me for a moment.
• 21:51
  Speaker 1: Goes into his study.
• 21:53
  Speaker 4: What do you suppose it is?
• 21:54
  Speaker 3: Mother? I don't know for the last day or two.
• 21:58
  Speaker 3: He has always been asking if the post postman.
• 22:00
  Speaker 7: Has not been Probably some country patient, Poor old dad.
• 22:05
  Speaker 4: He will overwork himself.
• 22:07
  Speaker 1: Soon mixes a glass for herself.
• 22:10
  Speaker 4: There that will taste good.
• 22:12
  Speaker 1: Have you been teaching in the evening school again today?
• 22:15
  Speaker 7: Two hours and four hours of school in the morning
• 22:19
  Speaker 7: five hours, and you have.
• 22:21
  Speaker 3: Still got exercises to correct?
• 22:23
  Speaker 4: I see a whole heap.
• 22:24
  Speaker 8: Yes, you are pretty full up with work too, it
• 22:27
  Speaker 8: seems to me.
• 22:28
  Speaker 4: Yes, but that is good. One is so delightfully tired
• 22:32
  Speaker 4: after it.
• 22:33
  Speaker 7: Do you like that?
• 22:34
  Speaker 4: Yes? Because one sleeps so well, then you must be
• 22:37
  Speaker 4: dreadfully wicked, Petra wicked?
• 22:40
  Speaker 1: Yes, because you work so much. Mister Rowland says work
• 22:43
  Speaker 1: is punishment for our sins.
• 22:45
  Speaker 5: Who what a duffa you are to believe a thing
• 22:47
  Speaker 5: like that?
• 22:48
  Speaker 3: Come? Come, I lift.
• 22:50
  Speaker 7: Ha, that's capital.
• 22:53
  Speaker 1: Don't you want to work as hard as that? Morton? No,
• 22:55
  Speaker 1: indeed I don't. What do you want to be? Then
• 22:58
  Speaker 1: I should like best to be a Viking?
• 23:00
  Speaker 5: You would have to be a pagan?
• 23:01
  Speaker 1: Then well I could become a pagan, couldn't I.
• 23:04
  Speaker 7: I agree with you Morton my sentiments exactly.
• 23:09
  Speaker 3: I am sure that is not true, mister Billing.
• 23:12
  Speaker 7: Yes, I swear it is. I am a pagan, and
• 23:15
  Speaker 7: I am proud of it.
• 23:18
  Speaker 9: Believe me.
• 23:19
  Speaker 7: Before long we shall all be pagans.
• 23:22
  Speaker 5: And then shall we be allowed to do anything we like.
• 23:24
  Speaker 7: Well, you'll see Morton.
• 23:27
  Speaker 3: You must go to your room now, boys, I am
• 23:29
  Speaker 3: sure you have some lessons to learn for to morrow.
• 23:32
  Speaker 5: I should like so much to stay a little longer.
• 23:35
  Speaker 3: No, no, away you go, both of you.
• 23:38
  Speaker 1: The boys say good night and go into a room
• 23:40
  Speaker 1: on the left. Do you really think it can do
• 23:43
  Speaker 1: the boys any harm to hear such things?
• 23:46
  Speaker 3: I don't know, but I don't like it.
• 23:48
  Speaker 4: But you know, mother, I think you really are wrong
• 23:51
  Speaker 4: about it.
• 23:52
  Speaker 3: Maybe, but I don't like it. Not In our own home.
• 23:56
  Speaker 4: There is so much falsehood, both at home and at school.
• 24:00
  Speaker 4: At home one must not speak, and at school we
• 24:03
  Speaker 4: have to stand and tell lies to the children.
• 24:06
  Speaker 9: Tell lies.
• 24:07
  Speaker 4: Yes, don't you suppose we have to tell them all
• 24:10
  Speaker 4: sorts of things that we don't believe.
• 24:13
  Speaker 7: That is perfectly true.
• 24:15
  Speaker 4: If only I had the means, I would start a
• 24:17
  Speaker 4: school of my own, and it would be conducted on
• 24:20
  Speaker 4: very different lines.
• 24:22
  Speaker 7: Oh, bother the means.
• 24:24
  Speaker 8: Well, if you are thinking of that, miss Stockman, I
• 24:27
  Speaker 8: shall be delighted to provide you with the school room.
• 24:30
  Speaker 8: The great, big old house my father left me is
• 24:33
  Speaker 8: standing almost empty. There is an immense dining room downstairs.
• 24:39
  Speaker 4: Thank you very much, but I am afraid nothing will
• 24:42
  Speaker 4: come of it.
• 24:43
  Speaker 1: No, Miss Petra is much more likely to take to
• 24:46
  Speaker 1: journalism I expect. By the way, have you had any
• 24:50
  Speaker 1: time to do anything with that English story you promise
• 24:52
  Speaker 1: to translate for us?
• 24:54
  Speaker 4: No, not yet, but you shall have it in good time.
• 24:57
  Speaker 1: Doctor Stockman comes in from his room with an in
• 25:00
  Speaker 1: his hand.
• 25:02
  Speaker 2: Well, now the town will have something new to talk about.
• 25:06
  Speaker 7: I can tell you something new.
• 25:09
  Speaker 3: What is this a great discovery, Catherine, really a discovery.
• 25:14
  Speaker 2: Of yours, a discovery of mine. Just let them come
• 25:19
  Speaker 2: saying as usual that it is all fancy and a
• 25:22
  Speaker 2: crazy man's imagination. But they will be careful what they
• 25:26
  Speaker 2: say this time.
• 25:27
  Speaker 4: I can tell you, But Father tell us what it is.
• 25:31
  Speaker 2: Yes, yes, only give me time and you shall know
• 25:34
  Speaker 2: all about it. If only I had Peter here. Now
• 25:39
  Speaker 2: it just shows how we men can go about forming
• 25:42
  Speaker 2: our judgments when in reality we are as blind as
• 25:46
  Speaker 2: any molds.
• 25:47
  Speaker 1: What are you driving at, doctor?
• 25:49
  Speaker 2: Isn't it the universal opinion that our town is a
• 25:52
  Speaker 2: healthy spot, certainly quite an unusually healthy spot, in fact,
• 25:58
  Speaker 2: a place that deserves to be recommended in the warmest
• 26:01
  Speaker 2: possible manner, either for invalids or for people who are well.
• 26:06
  Speaker 3: Yes, but my dear Thomas and we have.
• 26:08
  Speaker 2: Been recommending it and praising it. I have written and written,
• 26:13
  Speaker 2: both in the Messenger and in pamphlets. Well what then,
• 26:17
  Speaker 2: and the baths We have called them the main artery
• 26:21
  Speaker 2: of the town's lifeblood, the nerve center of our town,
• 26:24
  Speaker 2: and the devil knows what else?
• 26:26
  Speaker 7: The town's pulsating heart. Was the expression I once used
• 26:31
  Speaker 7: on an important occasion.
• 26:33
  Speaker 2: Quite so, well, do you know what they really are?
• 26:38
  Speaker 2: These great, splendid, much praised baths that have cost so
• 26:42
  Speaker 2: much money? Do you know what they are? No?
• 26:46
  Speaker 1: What are they?
• 26:47
  Speaker 9: Yes?
• 26:48
  Speaker 3: What are they?
• 26:49
  Speaker 2: The whole place is a pest house.
• 26:52
  Speaker 4: The baths, father, are baths, But doctor absolutely incredible.
• 26:58
  Speaker 2: The whole bath, establish Wishment is a whited, poisoned sepulcher.
• 27:03
  Speaker 2: I tell you the gravest possible danger to the public health.
• 27:07
  Speaker 2: All the nastiness up at Moladhal, all that stinking filth
• 27:12
  Speaker 2: is infecting the water in the conduit pipes, leading to
• 27:15
  Speaker 2: the reservoir, and the same cursed filthy poison ooses out
• 27:19
  Speaker 2: on the shore too.
• 27:21
  Speaker 8: Were the bathing places just there?
• 27:24
  Speaker 1: How do you come to be so certain of all this, doctor.
• 27:27
  Speaker 2: I have investigated the matter most conscientiously for a long
• 27:31
  Speaker 2: time past. I have suspected something of the kind. Last
• 27:36
  Speaker 2: year we had some very strange cases of illness among
• 27:39
  Speaker 2: the visitors, typhoid cases and cases of gastric fever.
• 27:43
  Speaker 3: Yes, that is quite true.
• 27:45
  Speaker 2: At the time we suppose the visitors had been infected
• 27:48
  Speaker 2: before they came. But later on in the winter I
• 27:52
  Speaker 2: began to have a different opinion, and so I set
• 27:55
  Speaker 2: myself to examine the water as well as I could.
• 27:58
  Speaker 3: Then that is what you been so busy with.
• 28:01
  Speaker 2: Indeed, I have been busy, Catherine. But here I had
• 28:05
  Speaker 2: none of the necessary scientific apparatus. So I set samples,
• 28:10
  Speaker 2: both of the drinking water and of the sea water
• 28:13
  Speaker 2: up to the university to have an accurate analysis made
• 28:16
  Speaker 2: by a chemist.
• 28:17
  Speaker 1: And have you got that?
• 28:19
  Speaker 9: Here it is.
• 28:20
  Speaker 2: It proves the presence of decomposing organic matter in the water.
• 28:25
  Speaker 2: It is full of infusoria. The water is absolutely dangerous
• 28:31
  Speaker 2: to use, either internally or externally.
• 28:34
  Speaker 3: Oh what a mercy. You discovered it in time?
• 28:37
  Speaker 2: You may well say so.
• 28:39
  Speaker 1: And what do you propose to do now, doctor?
• 28:42
  Speaker 2: To see the matter put right? Naturally?
• 28:44
  Speaker 1: Can that be done?
• 28:45
  Speaker 2: It must be done, otherwise the baths will be absolutely
• 28:50
  Speaker 2: useless and wasted. But we need not anticipate that. I
• 28:54
  Speaker 2: have a very clear idea what we shall have to do.
• 28:58
  Speaker 3: But why have you kept all this, oh secret? Dear?
• 29:01
  Speaker 2: Do you suppose I was going to run about the
• 29:04
  Speaker 2: town gossiping about it before I had absolute proof? No,
• 29:08
  Speaker 2: thank you, I am not such a fool.
• 29:11
  Speaker 4: Still you might have told us not a living soul.
• 29:15
  Speaker 2: But tomorrow you may run around of the old badger.
• 29:18
  Speaker 3: Oh Thomas, Thomas, well.
• 29:22
  Speaker 2: To your grandfather. Then the old boy will have something
• 29:25
  Speaker 2: to be astonished at. I know he thinks I am cracked,
• 29:29
  Speaker 2: and there are lots of other people who think so too.
• 29:32
  Speaker 2: I have noticed. But now these good folks shall see,
• 29:36
  Speaker 2: they shall just see. There will be a nice upset
• 29:40
  Speaker 2: in the town. Catherine, You can't imagine what it will be.
• 29:44
  Speaker 2: All the conduit pipes will have to be relayed.
• 29:47
  Speaker 1: All the conduit pipes, yes.
• 29:49
  Speaker 2: Of course, the intake is too low down. They will
• 29:53
  Speaker 2: have to be lifted to a position much higher up.
• 29:56
  Speaker 4: Then you were right after all?
• 29:58
  Speaker 2: Ah, you remember Petra I wrote opposing the plans before
• 30:03
  Speaker 2: the work was begun, but at that time no one
• 30:07
  Speaker 2: would listen to me. Well, I am going to let
• 30:10
  Speaker 2: them have it now. Of course I have prepared a
• 30:15
  Speaker 2: report for the baths committee. I have had it ready
• 30:18
  Speaker 2: for a week and was only waiting for this to come.
• 30:21
  Speaker 1: Shows the letter, now.
• 30:23
  Speaker 2: It shall go off at once.
• 30:25
  Speaker 1: Goes into his room and comes back with some papers.
• 30:29
  Speaker 2: Look at that, four closely written sheets, and the letter
• 30:33
  Speaker 2: shall go with them. Give me a bit of paper, Catherine,
• 30:37
  Speaker 2: something to wrap them up in.
• 30:39
  Speaker 9: That will do?
• 30:41
  Speaker 2: Now? Give it to too. Oh what the deuce is
• 30:45
  Speaker 2: her name? Give it to the maid and tell her
• 30:49
  Speaker 2: to take it at once to the mayor.
• 30:51
  Speaker 1: Missus. Stockman takes the packet and goes out through the
• 30:53
  Speaker 1: dining room.
• 30:55
  Speaker 4: What do you think Uncle Peter will say?
• 30:56
  Speaker 3: Father?
• 30:57
  Speaker 2: What is there for him to say? I should think
• 31:00
  Speaker 2: he would be very glad that such an important truth
• 31:03
  Speaker 2: has been brought to light?
• 31:04
  Speaker 1: Will you let me print a short note about your
• 31:06
  Speaker 1: discovery in the Messenger?
• 31:08
  Speaker 2: I shall be very much obliged if you will.
• 31:11
  Speaker 1: It is very desirable that the public should be informed
• 31:13
  Speaker 1: of it without delay.
• 31:15
  Speaker 3: Certainly she is just gone with it.
• 31:18
  Speaker 7: Upon my soul, doctor, you are going to be the
• 31:21
  Speaker 7: foremost man in the town.
• 31:23
  Speaker 2: Nonsense. As a matter of fact, I have done nothing
• 31:27
  Speaker 2: more than my duty. I have only made a lucky fine.
• 31:30
  Speaker 2: That's all still all the same.
• 31:34
  Speaker 7: Halfstad, don't you think the town ought to give doctor
• 31:37
  Speaker 7: Stockman some sort of testimonial?
• 31:40
  Speaker 1: I will suggest it anyway, and I.
• 31:42
  Speaker 7: Will speak to Aslickson about it.
• 31:45
  Speaker 2: Oh, my good friends, don't let us have any of
• 31:48
  Speaker 2: that nonsense. I won't hear anything of the kind. And
• 31:52
  Speaker 2: if the Bad's committee should think of voting me an
• 31:55
  Speaker 2: increase of salary, I will not accept it. Do you hear, Catherine,
• 32:00
  Speaker 2: I won't accept it.
• 32:01
  Speaker 3: You are quite right, Thomas, your health, father, your health, doctor,
• 32:06
  Speaker 3: good health.
• 32:07
  Speaker 8: I hope it will bring you nothing but good luck.
• 32:10
  Speaker 2: Thank you, thank you, my dear fellows. I feel tremendously happy.
• 32:16
  Speaker 2: It is a splendid thing for a man to be
• 32:18
  Speaker 2: able to feel that he has done a service to
• 32:21
  Speaker 2: his native town and to his fellow citizens. Hurrah, Catherine.
• 32:26
  Speaker 1: He puts his arms round her and whirls her round
• 32:29
  Speaker 1: and round while she protests with laughing cries. They all laugh,
• 32:33
  Speaker 1: clap their hands, and cheer the doctor. The boys put
• 32:36
  Speaker 1: their heads in at the door to see what is
• 32:38
  Speaker 1: going on, and of Act one