Pretend to be busy, Aslaksen. [_He sits down and writes. ASLAKSEN turns over a heap of newspapers on a chair, right._ DR. STOCKMANN. [_Entering from the composing-room._] Here I am, back again. [_Puts down his hat and stick._] HOVSTAD. [_Writing._] Already, Doctor? Make haste with what we were speaking of, Aslaksen. We’ve no time to lose to-day. DR. STOCKMANN. [_To ASLAKSEN._] No proof yet, I hear. ASLAKSEN. [_Without turning round._] No; how could you expect it? DR. STOCKMANN. Of course not; but you understand my impatience. I can have no rest or peace until I see the thing in print. HOVSTAD. H'm; it will take a good while yet. Don’t you think so, Aslaksen? ASLAKSEN. I'm afraid it will. DR. STOCKMANN. All right, all right, my good friend; then I shall look in again. I'll look in twice if necessary. With so much at stake—the welfare of the whole town—one mustn’t grudge a little trouble. [_Is on the point of going but stops and comes back._] Oh, by the way—there’s one other thing I must speak to you about. HOVSTAD. Excuse me; wouldn’t some other time——? DR. STOCKMANN. I can tell you in two words. You see it’s this when people read my article in the paper tomorrow, and find I have spent the whole winter working quietly for the good of the town—— HOVSTAD. Yes but, Doctor—— DR. STOCKMANN. I know what you’re going to say. You don’t think it was a bit more than my duty—my simple duty as a citizen. Of course I know that, as well as you do. But you see, my fellow townsmen—good Lord! the poor souls think so much of me—— ASLAKSEN. Yes, the townspeople have hitherto thought very highly of you, Doctor. DR. STOCKMANN. That’s exactly why I'm afraid that—. What I wanted to say was this: when all this comes to them—especially to the poorer classes—as a summons to take the affairs of the town into their own hands for the future—— HOVSTAD. [_Rising._] H'm, Doctor, I won’t conceal from you—— DR. STOCKMANN. Aha! I thought there was something brewing! But I won’t hear of it. If they are getting up anything of that sort—— HOVSTAD. Of what sort? DR. STOCKMANN. Well, anything of any sort—a procession with banners, or a banquet, or a subscription for a testimonial, or whatever it may be—you must give me your solemn promise to put a stop to it. And you too, Mr. Aslaksen; do you hear? HOVSTAD.