Understand? Why, what do you mean by that? Society is like a ship: every man must put his hand to the helm. HORSTER. That may be all right on shore; but at sea it wouldn’t do at all. HOVSTAD. It’s remarkable how little sailors care about public affairs as a rule. BILLING. Most extraordinary. DR. STOCKMANN. Sailors are like birds of passage; they are at home both in the south and in the north. So it behoves the rest of us to be all the more energetic, Mr. Hovstad. Will there be anything of public interest in the _People’s Messenger_ to-morrow? HOVSTAD. Nothing of local interest. But the day after to-morrow I think of printing your article—— DR. STOCKMANN. Oh confound it, that article! No, you’ll have to hold it over. Hovstad. Really? We happen to have plenty of space, and I should say this was the very time for it—— DR. STOCKMANN. Yes, yes, you may be right; but you must hold it over all the same. I shall explain to you by-and-by. PETRA, _wearing a hat and cloak, and with a number of exercise-books under her arm, enters from the hall._ PETRA. Good evening. DR. STOCKMANN. Good evening, Petra. Is that you? [_General greetings. PETRA puts her cloak, hat, and books on a chair by the door._ PETRA. Here you all are, enjoying yourselves, while I've been out slaving. DR. STOCKMANN. Well then, you come and enjoy yourself too. BILLING. May I mix you a little——? PETRA. [_Coming towards the table._] Thank you, I'd rather help myself—you always make it too strong. By the way, father, I have a letter for you. [_Goes to the chair where her things are lying._ DR. STOCKMANN. A letter! From whom? PETRA. [_Searching in the pocket of her cloak._] I got it from the postman just as I was going out—— DR. STOCKMANN. [_Rising and going towards her._] And you only bring it me now? PETRA. I really hadn’t time to run up again. Here it is. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Seizing the letter._] Let me see, let me see, child. [_Reads the address._] Yes; this is it——! MRS. STOCKMANN. Is it the one you have been so anxious about, Thomas? DR. STOCKMANN. Yes it is. I must go at once. Where shall I find a light, Katrina? Is there no lamp in my study again! MRS. STOCKMANN. Yes—the lamp is lighted. It’s on the writing-table.