But it will be of no earthly use. If they won’t, they won’t. DR. STOCKMANN. Ho-ho, Katrina! just wait a while, and you shall see whether I can fight my battles to the end. MRS. STOCKMANN. Yes, to the end of getting your dismissal; that is what will happen. DR. STOCKMANN. Well then, I shall at any rate have done my duty towards the public, towards society—I who am called an enemy of society! MRS. STOCKMANN. But towards your family, Thomas? Towards us at home? Do you think _that_ is doing your duty towards those who are dependent on you? PETRA. Oh, mother, don’t always think first of us. MRS. STOCKMANN. Yes, it’s easy for you to talk; you can stand alone if need be.—But remember the boys, Thomas; and think a little of yourself too, and of me—— DR. STOCKMANN. You’re surely out of your senses, Katrina! If I were to be such a pitiful coward as to knuckle under to this Peter and his confounded crew—should I ever have another happy hour in all my life? MRS. STOCKMANN. I don’t know about that; but God preserve us from the happiness we shall all of us have if you persist in defying them. There you will be again, with nothing to live on, with no regular income. I should have thought we had had enough of that in the old days. Remember them, Thomas; think of what it all means. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Struggling with himself and clenching his hands._] And this is what these jacks-in-office can bring upon a free and honest man! Isn’t it revolting, Katrina? MRS. STOCKMANN. Yes, no doubt they are treating you shamefully. But God knows there’s plenty of injustice one must just submit to in this world.—Here are the boys, Thomas. Look at them! What is to become of them? Oh no, no! you can never have the heart—— EILIF _and_ MORTEN, _with school-books, have meanwhile entered._ DR. STOCKMANN. The boys——! [_With a sudden access of firmness and decision._] Never, though the whole earth should crumble, will I bow my neck beneath the yoke. [_Goes towards his room._ MRS. STOCKMANN. [_Following him._] Thomas—what are you going to do? DR. STOCKMANN. [_At the door._] I must have the right to look my boys in the face when they have grown into free men. _Goes into his room._ MRS. STOCKMANN. [_Bursts into tears._] Ah, God help us all! PETRA. Father is true to the core. He will never give in! [_The boys ask wonderingly what it all means; PETRA signs to them to be quiet._ ----- Footnote 9: