Billing. And after what the Mayor was so kind as to tell me just now, I—
Dr. Stockmann. A false light! Leave that part of it to me. Only print my article; I am quite capable of defending it.
Hovstad. I am not going to print it. I cannot and will not and dare not print it.
Dr. Stockmann. You dare not? What nonsense!—you are the editor; and an editor controls his paper, I suppose!
Aslaksen. No, it is the subscribers, Doctor.
Peter Stockmann. Fortunately, yes.
Aslaksen. It is public opinion—the enlightened public—householders and people of that kind; they control the newspapers.
Dr. Stockmann (composedly). And I have all these influences against me?
Aslaksen. Yes, you have. It would mean the absolute ruin of the community if your article were to appear.
Dr. Stockmann. Indeed.