Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/202

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Dr. Stockmann.

[Looking at him in astonishment.] Shares in the Baths!

Morten Kiil. They weren't difficult to get to-day.

Dr. Stockmann. And you've gone and bought these up——?

Morten Kiil. All I had the money to pay for.

Dr. Stockmann.

Why, my dear sir,—just when things are in such a desperate way at the Baths——

Morten Kiil.

If you behave like a reasonable being, you can soon set the Baths all right again.

Dr. Stockmann.

Well, you can see for yourself I'm doing all I can. But the people of this town are mad!

Morten Kiil.

You said yesterday that the worst filth came from my tannery. Now, if that's true, then my grandfather, and my father before me, and I myself, have for ever so many years been poisoning the town with filth, like three destroying angels. Do you think I'm going to sit quiet under such a reproach?

Dr. Stockmann.

Unfortunately, you can't help it.