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.