[Morten Kiil goes out.

Dr. Stockmann.

Well, what do you want with me? Be brief.

Hovstad.

I can quite understand that you resent our attitude at the meeting yesterday——

Dr. Stockmann.

Your[Your] attitude, you say? Yes, it was a pretty attitude! I call it the attitude of cowards—of old women——Shame upon you!

Hovstad.

Call it what you will; but we could not act otherwise.

Dr. Stockmann.