Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/144

 Just you print my article, and I promise you I shall prove it up to the hilt.

Hovstad.

I shall not print it. I cannot, and will not, and dare not print it.

Dr. Stockmann.

You dare not? What nonsense is this? You are editor; and I suppose it's the editor that controls a paper.

Aslaksen. No, it's the subscribers, Doctor.

Burgomaster. Fortunately.

Aslaksen.

It's public opinion, the enlightened majority, the house-owners and all the rest. It's they who control a paper.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Calmly.] And all these powers I have against me?

Aslaksen.

Yes, you have. It would mean absolute ruin for the town if your article were inserted.

Dr. Stockmann. So that is the way of it!

Burgomaster. My hat and stick!

[Dr. Stockmann takes off the cap and lays it on the table along with the stick.