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—