you; you have betrayed yourself, Mr. Hovstad, and now
I shall never trust you again in anything.

Hovstad. Can you really take it so amiss in me that it is mostly for
your sake--?

Petra. What I am angry with you for, is for not having been honest with
my father. You talked to him as if the truth and the good of the
community were what lay nearest to your heart. You have made fools of
both my father and me. You are not the man you made yourself out to be.
And that I shall never forgive you-never!

Hovstad. You ought not to speak so bitterly, Miss Petra--least of all
now.

Petra. Why not now, especially?

Hovstad. Because your father cannot do without my help.

Petra (looking him up and down). Are you that sort of man too? For
shame!

Hovstad. No, no, I am not. This came upon me so unexpectedly--you must
believe that.

Petra. I know what to believe. Goodbye.

Aslaksen (coming from the printing room, hurriedly and with an air of
mystery). Damnation, Hovstad!--(Sees PETRA.) Oh, this is awkward--

Petra. There is the book; you must give it to some one else. (Goes
towards the door.)

Hovstad (following her). But, Miss Stockmann--

Petra. Goodbye. (Goes out.)

Aslaksen. I say--Mr. Hovstad--

Hovstad. Well well!--what is it?

Aslaksen. The Mayor is outside in the printing room.

Hovstad. The Mayor, did you say?

Aslaksen. Yes he wants to speak to you. He came in by the back
door--didn't want to be seen, you understand.

Hovstad. What can he want? Wait a bit--I will go myself. (Goes to the
door of the printing room, opens it, bows and invites PETER STOCKMANN
in.) Just see, Aslaksen, that no one--

Aslaksen. Quite so. (Goes into the printing-room.)

Peter Stockmann. You did not expect to see me here, Mr. Hovstad?

Hovstad. No, I confess I did not.

Peter Stockmann (looking round). You are very snug in here--very nice
indeed.

Hovstad. Oh--

Peter Stockmann. And here I come, without any notice, to take up your
time!

Hovstad. By all means, Mr. Mayor. I am at your service. But let me
relieve you of your--(takes STOCKMANN's hat and stick and puts them on
a chair). Won't you sit down?

Peter Stockmann (sitting down by the table). Thank you. (HOVSTAD sits
down.) I have had an extremely annoying experience to-day, Mr. Hovstad.

Hovstad. Really? Ah well, I expect with all the various business you
have to attend to--

Peter Stockmann. The Medical Officer of the Baths is responsible for
what happen