C. Hovstad says that the idea for the Baths came from one while the other was responsible for putting the idea into action.
An Enemy of the People
Henrik Ibsen
(SCENE.--DR. STOCKMANN'S sitting-room. It is evening. BILLING is seen sitting at the dining table, on which a lamp is burning. He has a napkin tucked under his chin, and MRS. STOCKMANN is standing by the table handing him a large plate-full of roast beef. The other places at the table are empty, and the table somewhat in disorder, evidently a meal having recently been finished.)
Mrs. Stockmann: (Turns to the hall door, listening.) I expect that is Mr. Hovstad coming.
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, good evening--is it you? How good of you to come up and see us!
Peter Stockmann: I happened to be passing, and so--(looks into the dining-room). But you have company with you, I see.
Mrs. Stockmann (a little embarrassed): Oh, no--it was quite by chance he came in. (Hurriedly.) Won't you come in and have something, too?
Peter Stockmann: I! No, thank you. Good gracious--hot meat at night! Not with my digestion,
Mrs. Stockmann: Oh, but just once in a way--
Peter Stockmann: No, no, my dear lady; I stick to my tea and bread and butter. It is much more wholesome in the long run—and a little more economical, too.
Mrs. Stockmann (smiling): Now you mustn't think that Thomas and I are spendthrifts.
Peter Stockmann: Not you, my dear; I would never think that of you. (Points to the Doctor's study.) Is he not at home?
Mrs. Stockmann: No, he went out for a little turn after supper-- he and the boys.
Peter Stockmann: I doubt if that is a wise thing to do. (Listens.) I fancy I hear him coming now.
Mrs. Stockmann: No, I don't think it is he. (A knock is heard at the door.) Come in! (HOVSTAD comes in from the hall.) Oh, it is you, Mr. Hovstad!
Hovstad: Yes, I hope you will forgive me, but I was delayed at the printers. Good evening, Mr. Mayor.
Peter Stockmann (bowing a little distantly): Good evening. You have come on business, no doubt.
Hovstad: Partly. It's about an article for the paper.
Peter Stockmann: So I imagined. I hear my brother has become a prolific contributor to the "People's Messenger."
Hovstad: Yes, he is good enough to write in the "People's Messenger" when he has any home truths to tell.
Mrs, Stockmann (to HOVSTAD): But won't you--? (Points to the dining-room.)
Peter Stockmann: Quite so, quite so. I don't blame him in the least, as a writer, for addressing himself to the quarters where he will find the readiest sympathy. And, besides that, I personally have no reason to bear any ill will to your paper, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad: I quite agree with you.
Peter Stockmann: Taking one thing with another, there is an excellent spirit of toleration in the town--an admirable municipal spirit. And it all springs from the fact of our having a great common interest to unite us--an interest that is in an equally high degree the concern of every right-minded citizen
Hovstad: The Baths, yes.
Peter Stockmann: Exactly---our fine, new, handsome Baths. Mark my words, Mr. Hovstad--the Baths will become the focus of our municipal life! Not a doubt of it!
Mrs. Stockmann: That is just what Thomas says.
Hovstad: Well, the doctor's article will come in very suitably.
Peter Stockmann: Has he been writing something just lately?
Hovstad: This is something he wrote in the winter; a recommendation of the Baths--an account of the excellent sanitary conditions here. But I held the article over, temporarily.
Peter Stockmann: Ah,--some little difficulty about it, I suppose?
Hovstad: No, not at all; I thought it would be better to wait until the spring, because it is just at this time that people begin to think seriously about their summer quarters.
Peter Stockmann: Quite right; you were perfectly right, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad: Yes, Thomas is really indefatigable when it is a question of the Baths.
Peter Stockmann: Well remember, he is the Medical Officer to the Baths.
Hovstad: Yes, and what is more, they owe their existence to him.
Peter Stockmann: To him? Indeed! It is true I have heard from time to time that some people are of that opinion. At the same time I must say I imagined that I took a modest part in the enterprise,
Mrs. Stockmann: Yes, that is what Thomas is always saying.
Hovstad: But who denies it, Mr. Stockmann? You set the thing going and made a practical concern of it; we all know that. I only meant that the idea of it came first from the doctor.
Peter Stockmann: Oh, ideas yes! My brother has had plenty of them in his time--unfortunately. But when it is a question of putting an idea into practical shape, you have to apply to a man of different mettle. Mr. Hovstad. And I certainly should have thought that in this house at least...
Mrs. Stockmann: My dear Peter--
Hovstad: How can you think that--?
Mrs. Stockmann: Won't you go in and have something, Mr. Hovstad? My husband is sure to be back directly.
Hovstad: Thank you, perhaps just a morsel. (Goes into the dining room.)
Peter Stockmann (lowering his voice a little): It is a curious thing that these farmers' sons never seem to lose their want of tact.
Mrs. Stockmann: Surely it is not worth bothering about! Cannot you and Thomas share the credit as brothers?
Peter Stockmann: I should have thought so; but apparently some people are not satisfied with a share.
Mrs. Stockmann: What nonsense! You and Thomas get on so capitally together. (Listens.) There he is at last, I think. (Goes out and opens the door leading to the hall.)
Question
What does Hovstad say about the two Stockmann brothers, Thomas and Peter?
Responses
A Hovstad describes the way that the brothers get along well because they both enjoy the Baths.Hovstad describes the way that the brothers get along well because they both enjoy the Baths.
B Hovstad is proud of the fact that both men are professionals, one a physician and the other the mayor.Hovstad is proud of the fact that both men are professionals, one a physician and the other the mayor.
C Hovstad says that the idea for the Baths came from one while the other was responsible for putting the idea into action.Hovstad says that the idea for the Baths came from one while the other was responsible for putting the idea into action.
D Hovstad says that the brothers are of different opinions concerning the Baths, and they need to settle their differences.
1 answer