it
shall be by ballot and not verbal. Have you any clean paper, Mr.
Billing?

Billing. I have both blue and white here.

Aslaksen (going to him). That will do nicely; we shall get on more
quickly that way. Cut it up into small strips--yes, that's it. (To the
meeting.) Blue means no; white means yes. I will come round myself and
collect votes. (PETER STOCKMANN leaves the hall. ASLAKSEN and one or
two others go round the room with the slips of paper in their hats.)

1st Citizen (to HOVSTAD). I say, what has come to the Doctor? What are
we to think of it?

Hovstad. Oh, you know how headstrong he is.

2nd Citizen (to BILLING). Billing, you go to their house--have you ever
noticed if the fellow drinks?

Billing. Well I'm hanged if I know what to say. There are always
spirits on the table when you go.

3rd Citizen. I rather think he goes quite off his head sometimes.

1st Citizen. I wonder if there is any madness in his family?

Billing. I shouldn't wonder if there were.

4th Citizen. No, it is nothing more than sheer malice; he wants to get
even with somebody for something or other.

Billing. Well certainly he suggested a rise in his salary on one
occasion lately, and did not get it.

The Citizens (together). Ah!--then it is easy to understand how it is!

The Drunken Man (who has got among the audience again). I want a blue
one, I do! And I want a white one too!

Voices. It's that drunken chap again! Turn him out!

Morten Kiil. (going up to DR. STOCKMANN). Well, Stockmann, do you see
what these monkey tricks of yours lead to?

Dr. Stockmann. I have done my duty.

Morten Kiil. What was that you said about the tanneries at Molledal?

Dr. Stockmann. You heard well enough. I said they were the source of
all the filth.

Morten Kiil. My tannery too?

Dr. Stockmann. Unfortunately your tannery is by far the worst.

Morten Kiil. Are you going to put that in the papers?

Dr. Stockmann. I shall conceal nothing.

Morten Kiil. That may cost you dearly, Stockmann. (Goes out.)

A Stout Man (going UP to CAPTAIN HORSTER, Without taking any notice of
the ladies). Well, Captain, so you lend your house to enemies of the
people?

Horster. I imagine I can do what I like with my own possessions, Mr.
Vik.

The Stout Man. Then you can have no objection to my doing the same with
mine.

Horster. What do you mean, sir?

The Stout Man. You shall hear from me in the morning. (Turns his back
on him and moves off.)