than two decently large bits of hard stone in the whole heap; the
rest are nothing but gravel--wretched little things. And yet they stood
out there bawling and swearing that they would do me some violence; but
as for doing anything--you don't see much of that in this town.

Horster. Just as well for you this time, doctor!

Dr. Stockmann. True enough. But it makes one angry all the same;
because if some day it should be a question of a national fight in real
earnest, you will see that public opinion will be in favour of taking
to one's heels, and the compact majority will turn tail like a flock of
sheep, Captain Horster. That is what is so mournful to think of; it
gives me so much concern, that--. No, devil take it, it is ridiculous
to care about it! They have called me an enemy of the people, so an
enemy of the people let me be!

Mrs. Stockmann. You will never be that, Thomas.

Dr. Stockmann. Don't swear to that, Katherine. To be called an ugly
name may have the same effect as a pin-scratch in the lung. And that
hateful name--I can't get quit of it. It is sticking here in the pit of
my stomach, eating into me like a corrosive acid. And no magnesia will
remove it.

Petra. Bah!--you should only laugh at them, father,

Horster. They will change their minds some day, Doctor.

Mrs. Stockmann. Yes, Thomas, as sure as you are standing here.

Dr. Stockmann. Perhaps, when it is too late. Much good may it do them!
They may wallow in their filth then and rue the day when they drove a
patriot into exile. When do you sail, Captain Horster?

Horster. Hm!--that was just what I had come to speak about--

Dr. Stockmann. Why, has anything gone wrong with the ship?

Horster. No; but what has happened is that I am not to sail in it.

Petra. Do you mean that you have been dismissed from your command?

Horster (smiling). Yes, that's just it.

Petra. You too.

Mrs. Stockmann. There, you see, Thomas!

Dr. Stockmann. And that for the truth's sake! Oh, if I had thought such
a thing possible--

Horster. You mustn't take it to heart; I shall be sure to find a job
with some ship-owner or other, elsewhere.

Dr. Stockmann. And that is this man Vik--a wealthy man, independent of
everyone and everything--! Shame on him!

Horster. He is quite an excellent fellow otherwise; he told me himself
he would willingly have kept me on, if only he had dared--

Dr. Stockmann. But he didn't dare? No, of course not.

Horster. It is not such