Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/45

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Burgomaster.

Well, metropolis——

Dr. Stockmann.

Oh, I know well enough that things are on a small scale here, compared with many other places. But there's life here—there's promise—there's an infinity of things to work and strive for; and that is the main point. [Calling.] Katrina, haven't there been any letters?

Mrs. Stockmann.

[In the dining-room.] No, none at all.

Dr. Stockmann.

And then a good income, Peter! That's a thing one learns to appreciate when one has lived on starvation wages——

Burgomaster.

Good heavens——!

Dr. Stockmann.

Oh yes, I can tell you we often had hard times of it up there. And now we can live like princes! To-day, for example, we had roast beef for dinner; and we've had some of it for supper too. Won't you have some? Come along—just look at it, at any rate——

Burgomaster.

No, no; certainly not——

Dr. Stockmann.

Well then, look here—do you see we've bought a table-cover?

Burgomaster.

Yes, so I observed.