Thanks, thanks, my dear friends! I can’t tell you how happy I am—! Oh, what a blessing it is to feel that you have deserved well of your native town and your fellow citizens. Hurrah, Katrina! [_He puts both his arms round her neck, and whirls her round with him. MRS. STOCKMANN screams and struggles. A burst of laughter, applause, and cheers for the DOCTOR. The boys thrust their heads in at the door._ ----- Footnote 7: _Amtmand_, the chief magistrate of an _Amt_ or county: consequently a high dignitary in the official hierarchy. Footnote 8: See _Pillars of Society_. ACT SECOND. _The DOCTOR’S sitting-room. The dining-room door is closed. Morning._ MRS. STOCKMANN. [_Enters from the dining-room with a sealed letter in her hand, goes to the foremost door on the right, and peeps in._] Are you there, Thomas? DR. STOCKMANN. [_Within._] Yes, I have just come in. [_Enters._] What is it? MRS. STOCKMANN. A letter from your brother. _Hands it to him._ DR. STOCKMANN. Aha, let us see. [_Opens the envelope and reads._] “The MS. sent me is returned herewith——” [_Reads on, mumbling to himself._] H'm— MRS. STOCKMANN. Well, what does he say? DR. STOCKMANN. [_Putting the paper in his pocket._] Nothing; only that he’ll come up himself about midday. MRS. STOCKMANN. Then be sure you remember to stay at home. DR. STOCKMANN. Oh, I can easily manage that; I've finished my morning’s visits. MRS. STOCKMANN. I am very curious to know how he takes it. DR. STOCKMANN. You’ll see he won’t be over-pleased that it is I that have made the discovery, and not he himself. MRS. STOCKMANN. Ah, that’s just what I'm afraid of. DR. STOCKMANN. Of course at bottom he’ll be glad. But still—Peter is damnably unwilling that any one but himself should do anything for the good of the town. MRS. STOCKMANN. Do you know, Thomas, I think you might stretch a point, and share the honour with him. Couldn’t it appear that it was he that put you on the track——? DR. STOCKMANN. By all means, for aught I care. If only I can get things put straight—— _Old_ MORTEN KIIL _puts his head in at the hall door, and asks slyly:_ MORTEN KIIL. Is it—is it true? MRS. STOCKMANN. [_Going towards him._] Father—is that you? DR. STOCKMANN. Hallo, father-in-law! Good morning, good morning. MRS. STOCKMANN. Do come in. MORTEN KIIL.