All the old bunglers must be sent packing, you understand. And that in every possible department! Such endless vistas have opened out before me to-day. I am not quite clear about everything yet, but I shall see my way presently. It’s young and vigorous standard-bearers we must look for, my friends; we must have new captains at all the outposts. BILLING. Hear, hear! DR. STOCKMANN. And if only we hold together, it will go so smoothly, so smoothly! The whole revolution will glide off the stocks just like a ship. Don’t you think so? HOVSTAD. For my part, I believe we have now every prospect of placing our municipal affairs in the right hands. ASLAKSEN. And if only we proceed with moderation, I really don’t think there can be any danger. DR. STOCKMANN. Who the devil cares whether there’s danger or not! What I do, I do in the name of truth and for conscience' sake. HOVSTAD. You are a man to be backed up, Doctor. ASLAKSEN. Yes, there’s no doubt the Doctor is a true friend to the town; he’s what I call a friend of society. BILLING. Strike me dead if Dr. Stockmann isn’t a Friend of the People, Aslaksen! ASLAKSEN. I have no doubt the House-owners' Association will soon adopt that expression. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Shaking their hands, deeply moved._] Thanks, thanks, my dear, faithful friends; it does me good to hear you. My respected brother called me something very different. Never mind! Trust me to pay him back with interest! But I must be off now to see a poor devil of a patient. I shall look in again, though. Be sure you look after the article, Mr. Aslaksen; and, whatever you do, don’t leave out any of my notes of exclamation! Rather put in a few more! Well, good-bye for the present, good-bye, good-bye. [_Mutual salutations while they accompany him to the door. He goes out._ HOVSTAD. He will be invaluable to us. ASLAKSEN. Yes, so long as he confines himself to this matter of the Baths. But if he goes further, it will scarcely be advisable to follow him. HOVSTAD. H'm—that entirely depends on—— BILLING. You’re always so confoundedly timid, Aslaksen. ASLAKSEN. Timid? Yes, when it’s a question of attacking local authorities, I am timid, Mr. Billing; I have learnt caution in the school of experience, let me tell you. But start me on the higher politics, confront me with the Government itself, and then see if I'm timid. BILLING. No, you’re not; but that’s just where your inconsistency comes in.