e righthand wall are two windows, of which all the panes are broken.
The DOCTOR'S desk, littered with books and papers, stands in the middle
of the room, which is in disorder. It is morning. DR. STOCKMANN in
dressing-gown, slippers and a smoking-cap, is bending down and raking
with an umbrella under one of the cabinets. After a little while he
rakes out a stone.)

Dr. Stockmann (calling through the open sitting-room door). Katherine,
I have found another one.

Mrs. Stockmann (from the sitting-room). Oh, you will find a lot more
yet, I expect.

Dr. Stockmann (adding the stone to a heap of others on the table). I
shall treasure these stones as relies. Ejlif and Morten shall look at
them everyday, and when they are grown up they shall inherit them as
heirlooms. (Rakes about under a bookcase.) Hasn't--what the deuce is
her name?--the girl, you know--hasn't she been to fetch the glazier yet?

Mrs. Stockmann (coming in). Yes, but he said he didn't know if he would
be able to come today.

Dr. Stockmann. You will see he won't dare to come.

Mrs. Stockmann. Well, that is just what Randine thought--that he didn't
dare to, on account of the neighbours. (Calls into the sitting-room.)
What is it you want, Randine? Give it to me. (Goes in, and comes out
again directly.) Here is a letter for you, Thomas.

Dr. Stockmann. Let me see it. (Opens and reads it.) Ah!--of course.

Mrs. Stockmann. Who is it from?

Dr. Stockmann. From the landlord. Notice to quit.

Mrs. Stockmann. Is it possible? Such a nice man

Dr. Stockmann (looking at the letter). Does not dare do otherwise, he
says. Doesn't like doing it, but dare not do otherwise--on account of
his fellow-citizens--out of regard for public opinion. Is in a
dependent position--dares not offend certain influential men.

Mrs. Stockmann. There, you see, Thomas!

Dr. Stockmann. Yes, yes, I see well enough; the whole lot of them in
the town are cowards; not a man among them dares do anything for fear
of the others. (Throws the letter on to the table.) But it doesn't
matter to us, Katherine. We are going to sail away to the New World,
and--

Mrs. Stockmann. But, Thomas, are you sure we are well advised to take
this step?

Dr. Stockmann. Are you suggesting that I should stay here, where they
have pilloried me as an enemy of the people--branded me--broken my
windows! And just look here, Katherine--they have torn a great rent in
my black trousers too!

Mrs. Stockmann. Oh, dear!