HOVSTAD. There is one thing I value more than good intentions, and that is an attitude of manly self-reliance. DR. STOCKMANN. There I am quite with you. HOVSTAD. So I am going to seize this opportunity, and try whether I can’t for once put a little grit into their good intentions. The worship of authority must be rooted up in this town. This gross, inexcusable blunder of the waterworks must be brought home clearly to every voter. DR. STOCKMANN. Very well. If you think it’s for the good of the community, so be it; but not till I have spoken to my brother. HOVSTAD. At all events, I shall be writing my leader in the meantime. And if the Burgomaster won’t take the matter up—— DR. STOCKMANN. But how can you conceive his refusing? HOVSTAD. Oh, it’s not inconceivable. And then—— DR. STOCKMANN. Well then, I promise you—; look here—in that case you may print my paper—put it in just as it is. HOVSTAD. May I? Is that a promise? DR. STOCKMANN. [_Handing him the manuscript._] There it is; take it with you. You may as well read it in any case; you can return it to me afterwards. HOVSTAD. Very good; I shall do so. And now, good-bye, Doctor. DR. STOCKMANN. Good-bye, good-bye. You’ll see it will all go smoothly, Mr. Hovstad—as smoothly as possible. HOVSTAD. H'm—we shall see. [_Bows and goes out through the hall._ */ DR. STOCKMANN. [_Going to the dining-room door and looking in._] Katrina! Hallo! are you back, Petra? PETRA. [_Entering._] Yes, I've just got back from school. MRS. STOCKMANN. [_Entering._] Hasn’t he been here yet? DR. STOCKMANN. Peter? No; but I have been having a long talk with Hovstad. He’s quite enthusiastic about my discovery. It turns out to be of much wider import than I thought at first. So he has placed his paper at my disposal, if I should require it. MRS. STOCKMANN. Do you think you will? DR. STOCKMANN. Not I! But at the same time, one cannot but be proud to know that the enlightened, independent press is on one’s side. And what do you think? I have had a visit from the Chairman of the House-owners' Association too. MRS. STOCKMANN. Really? What did he want? DR. STOCKMANN. To assure me of his support. They will all stand by me at a pinch. Katrina, do you know what I have behind me? MRS. STOCKMANN.