At that time your position was infinitely more favourable; at that time you thought you had the whole town at your back——
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, and now I have the whole town on my back——[Flaring up.] But no—not if I had the devil and his dam on my back—! Never—never, I tell you!
Burgomaster.
The father of a family has no right[[13]] to act as you are doing. You have no right to do it, Thomas.
Dr. Stockmann.
I have no right! There’s only one thing in the world that a free man has no right to do; and do you know what that is?
Burgomaster.
No.
Dr. Stockmann.