| ACT I |
| ACT II |
| ACT III |
| ACT IV |
| ACT V |
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Dr. Thomas Stockmann, Medical Officer of the Municipal Baths.
Mrs. Stockmann, his wife.
Petra (their daughter) a teacher.
Ejlif & Morten (their sons, aged 13 and 10 respectively).
Peter Stockmann (the Doctor's elder brother), Mayor of the
Town and Chief Constable, Chairman of the Baths' Committee, etc.
Morten Kiil, a tanner (Mrs. Stockmann's adoptive father).
Hovstad, editor of the "People's Messenger."
Billing, sub-editor.
Captain Horster.
Aslaksen, a printer.
Men of various conditions and occupations, a few women, and a troop ofschoolboys—the audience at a public meeting.
The action takes place in a coastal town in southern Norway,
(SCENE.—DR. STOCKMANN'S sitting-room. It is evening. The room isplainly but neatly appointed and furnished. In the right-hand wall aretwo doors; the farther leads out to the hall, the nearer to thedoctor's study. In the left-hand wall, opposite the door leading to thehall, is a door leading to the other rooms occupied by the family. Inthe middle of the same wall stands the stove, and, further forward, acouch with a looking-glass hanging over it and an oval table in frontof it. On the table, a lighted lamp, with a lampshade. At the back ofthe room, an open door leads to the dining-room. BILLING is seensitting at the dining table, on which a lamp is burning. He has anapkin tucked under his chin, and MRS. STOCKMANN is standing by thetable handing him a large plate-full of roast beef. The other places atthe table are empty, and the table somewhat in disorder, evidently ameal having recently been finished.)
Mrs. Stockmann. You see, if you come an hour late, Mr. Billing, youhave to put up with cold meat.
Billing (as he eats). It is uncommonly good, thank you—remarkably good.
Mrs. Stockmann. My husband makes such a point of having his mealspunctually, you know.
Billing. That doesn't affect me a bit. Indeed, I almost think I enjoy ameal all the better when I can sit down and eat all by myself, andundisturbed.
Mrs. Stockmann. Oh well, as long as you are enjoying it—. (Turns tothe hall door, listening.) I expect that is Mr. Hovstad coming too.
Billing. Very likely.
(PETER STOCKMANN comes in. He wears an overcoat and his official hat,and carries a stick.)
Peter Stockmann. Good evening, Katherine.
Mrs. Stockmann (coming forward into the sitting-room). Ah, goodevening—is it you? How good of you to come up and see us!
Peter Stockmann. I happened to be passing, and so—(looks into thedining-room). But you have company with you, I see.
Mrs. Stockmann (a little embarrassed). Oh, no—it was quite by chancehe came in. (Hurriedly.) Won't you come in and have something, too?
Peter Stockmann. I! No, thank