Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/114

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Dr. Stockmann.

But they shall find they were mistaken in me; they shall learn that in black and white, I promise them! I shall throw myself into the breach every day in the Messenger, bombard them with one explosive article after another——

Aslaksen.

Yes, but look here——

Billing.

Hurrah! It's war! War!

Dr. Stockmann.

I shall smite them to the earth, I shall crush them, I shall level their entrenchments to the ground in the eyes of all right-thinking men! That's what I shall do!

Aslaksen.

But above all things be temperate, Doctor; bombard with moderation——

Billing.

Not at all, not at all! Don't spare the dynamite!

Dr. Stockmann.

[Going on imperturbably.] For now it's no mere question of water-works and sewers, you see. No, the whole community must be purged, disinfected——

Billing.

There sounds the word of salvation!

Dr. Stockmann.

All the old bunglers must be sent packing, you