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
It is a curious thing that these farmers' sons never seem to lose their want of tact.
Why does the playwright indicate that Peter lowers his voice when he says this?
Responses
A He shows that Peter is telling a secret.He shows that Peter is telling a secret.
B He has great respect for Mrs. Stockmann.He has great respect for Mrs. Stockmann.
C He does not want Hovstad to hear his insult.He does not want Hovstad to hear his insult.
D He lets the audience know that Peter is talking to himself.He lets the audience know that Peter is talking to himself.
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1 answer
The correct response is:
C He does not want Hovstad to hear his insult.
By lowering his voice, Peter Stockmann ensures that his comment about the "farmers' sons" is kept from Hovstad, indicating that it is a derogatory remark about him and those of his background.
