Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/173

 summits of society. Just look at your own smug, respectable Burgomaster! Why, my brother Peter belongs as clearly to the common people as any man that walks on two legs

[Laughter and hisses.

Burgomaster.

I protest against such personalities.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Imperturbably.] and that not because, like myself, he's descended from a good-for-nothing old pirate from Pomerania, or thereabouts—for that's our ancestry

Burgomaster.

An absurd tradition! Utterly groundless.

Dr. Stockmann.

but he is so because he thinks the thoughts and holds the opinions of his official superiors. Men who do that, belong, intellectually-speaking, to the common people; and that is why my distinguished brother Peter is at bottom so undistinguished,—and consequently so illiberal.

Burgomaster.

Mr. Chairman!

Hovstad.

So that the distinguished people in this country are the Liberals? That's quite a new light on the subject. [Laughter.

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, that is part of my new discovery. And this, too, follows: that liberality of thought is