"Henrik Ibsen - An Enemy Of The People" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ibsen Henrik)

An Enemy of the People
Henrik Ibsen
Translated by Farquharson Sharp


E-Text prepared by Martin Adamson
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DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Dr. Thomas Stockmann, Medical Officer of the Municipal Baths.
Mrs. Stockmann, his wife.
Petra (their daughter) a teacher.
Ejlif Morten (their sons, aged 13 and 10 respectively).
Peter Stockmann (the Doctor's elder brother), Mayor of the
Town and Chief Constable, Chairman of the Baths' Committee, etc.
Morten Kiil, a tanner (Mrs. Stockmann's adoptive father).
Hovstad, editor of the "People's Messenger."
Billing, sub-editor.
Captain Horster.
Aslaksen, a printer.
Men of various conditions and occupations, a few women, and a
troop of schoolboysЧthe audience at a public meeting.

The action takes place in a coastal town in southern Norway,

ACT I
(SCENE.ЧDR. STOCKMANN'S sitting-room. It is evening. The room is plainly but
neatly appointed and furnished. In the right-hand wall are two doors; the
farther leads out to the hall, the nearer to the doctor's study. In the
left-hand wall, opposite the door leading to the hall, is a door leading to the
other rooms occupied by the family. In the middle of the same wall stands the
stove, and, further forward, a couch with a looking-glass hanging over it and an
oval table in front of it. On the table, a lighted lamp, with a lampshade. At
the back of the room, an open door leads to the dining-room. 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. You see, if you come an hour late, Mr. Billing, you have to put
up with cold meat.
Billing (as he eats). It is uncommonly good, thank youЧ remarkably good.
Mrs. Stockmann. My husband makes such a point of having his meals punctually,
you know.
Billing. That doesn't affect me a bit. Indeed, I almost think I enjoy a meal all
the better when I can sit down and eat all by myself, and undisturbed.
Mrs. Stockmann. Oh well, as long as you are enjoying itЧ. (Turns to the hall
door, listening.) I expect that is Mr. Hovstad coming too.
Billing. Very likely.
(PETER STOCKMANN comes in. He wears an overcoat and his official hat, and
carries a stick.)