I'm sure I thank you heartily; but—— ASLAKSEN. You may find it no such bad thing to have us small middle-class men at your back. We form what you may call a compact majority in the town—when we really make up our minds, that’s to say. And it’s always well to have the majority with you, Doctor. DR. STOCKMANN. No doubt, no doubt; but I can’t conceive that any special measures will be necessary in this case. I should think in so clear and straightforward a matter—— ASLAKSEN. Yes, but all the same, it can do no harm. I know the local authorities very well—the powers that be are not over ready to adopt suggestions from outsiders. So I think it wouldn’t be amiss if we made some sort of a demonstration. HOVSTAD. Precisely my opinion. DR. STOCKMANN. A demonstration, you say? But in what way would you demonstrate? ASLAKSEN. Of course with great moderation, Doctor. I always insist upon moderation; for moderation is a citizen’s first virtue—at least that’s my way of thinking. DR. STOCKMANN. We all know that, Mr. Aslaksen. ASLAKSEN. Yes, I think my moderation is generally recognised. And this affair of the water-works is very important for us small middle-class men. The Baths bid fair to become, as you might say, a little gold-mine for the town. We shall all have to live by the Baths, especially we house-owners. So we want to support the Baths all we can; and as I am Chairman of the House-owners' Association—— DR. STOCKMANN. Well——? ASLAKSEN. And as I'm an active worker for the Temperance[9] Society—of course you know, Doctor, that I'm a temperance man? DR. STOCKMANN. To be sure, to be sure. ASLAKSEN. Well, you’ll understand that I come in contact with a great many people. And as I'm known to be a prudent and law-abiding citizen, as you yourself remarked, Doctor, I have a certain influence in the town, and hold some power in my hands—though I say it that shouldn’t. DR. STOCKMANN. I know that very well, Mr. Aslaksen. ASLAKSEN. Well then, you see—it would be easy for me to get up an address, if it came to a pinch. DR. STOCKMANN. An address? ASLAKSEN. Yes, a kind of vote of thanks to you, from the citizens of the town, for your action in a matter of such general concern. Of course it will have to be drawn up with all fitting moderation, so as to give no offence to the authorities and parties in power. But so long as we’re careful about that, no one can take it ill, I should think. HOVSTAD.