Dr. Stockmann.

And not mine! You imagine you can kill me and the truth by a conspiracy of silence! But it won’t be so easy as[as] you think. Mr. Aslaksen, will you be good enough to print my article at once, as a pamphlet? I'll pay for it myself, and be my own publisher. I'll have four hundred copies—no, five—six hundred.

Aslaksen.

No. If you offered me its weight in gold, I dare not lend my press to such a purpose, Doctor. I daren’t fly in the face of public opinion. You won’t get it printed anywhere in the whole town.

Dr. Stockmann.

Then give it me back.

Hovstad.

[Handing him the MS.] By all means.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Taking up his hat and cane.] It shall be made public all the same. I shall read it at a great mass meeting; all my fellow citizens shall hear the voice of truth!