ASLAKSEN. I understand. _Goes into the printing-room._ BURGOMASTER. You didn’t expect to see me here, Mr. Hovstad. HOVSTAD. No, I cannot say that I did. BURGOMASTER. [_Looking about him._] You are very comfortably installed here—capital quarters. HOVSTAD. Oh—— BURGOMASTER. And here have I come, without with your leave or by your leave, to take up your time—— HOVSTAD. You are very welcome, Burgomaster; I am at your service. Let me take your cap and stick. [_He does so, and puts them on a chair._] And won’t you be seated? BURGOMASTER. [_Sitting down by the table._] Thanks. [HOVSTAD _also sits by the table._] I have been much—very much worried to-day, Mr. Hovstad. HOVSTAD. Really? Well, I suppose with all your various duties, Burgomaster—— BURGOMASTER. It is the Doctor that has been causing me annoyance to-day. HOVSTAD. Indeed! The Doctor? BURGOMASTER. He has written a sort of memorandum to the Directors about some alleged shortcomings in the Baths. HOVSTAD. Has he really? BURGOMASTER. Yes; hasn’t he told you? I thought he said—— HOVSTAD. Oh yes, by-the-bye, he did mention something—— ASLAKSEN. [_From the printing-office._] I've just come for the manuscript—— HOVSTAD. [_In a tone of vexation._] Oh!—there it is on the desk. ASLAKSEN. [_Finding it._] All right. BURGOMASTER. Why, _that_ is the very thing—— ASLAKSEN. Yes, this is the Doctor’s article, Burgomaster. HOVSTAD. Oh, is that what you were speaking of? BURGOMASTER. Precisely. What do you think of it? HOVSTAD. I have no technical knowledge of the matter, and I've only glanced through it. BURGOMASTER. And yet you are going to print it! HOVSTAD. I can’t very well refuse a signed communication—— ASLAKSEN. I have nothing to do with the editing of the paper, Burgomaster—— BURGOMASTER. Of course not. ASLAKSEN. I merely print what is placed in my hands. BURGOMASTER. Quite right, quite right. ASLAKSEN. So I must—— _Goes towards the printing-room._ BURGOMASTER.