ASLAKSEN. [_Looking at it._] Oh Lord! HOVSTAD. [_The same._] H'm— DR. STOCKMANN. Why, here’s the top-knot of authority! [_He takes the_ BURGOMASTER’S _official cap carefully between the tips of his fingers and holds it up._ MRS. STOCKMANN. The Burgomaster’s cap! DR. STOCKMANN. And here’s the staff of office, too! But how in the devil’s name did they——? HOVSTAD. Well then—— DR. STOCKMANN. Ah, I understand! He has been here to talk you over. Ha, ha! He reckoned without his host that time! And when he caught sight of me in the printing-room—[_Bursts out laughing._]—he took to his heels, eh, Mr. Aslaksen? ASLAKSEN. [_Hurriedly._] Exactly; he took to his heels, Doctor. DR. STOCKMANN. Made off without his stick and——. No, _that_ won’t do! Peter never left anything behind him. But where the devil have you stowed him? Ah—in here, of course. Now you shall see, Katrina! MRS. STOCKMANN. Thomas—I implore you——! ASLAKSEN. Take care, Doctor! [DR. STOCKMANN _has put on the_ BURGOMASTER’S _cap and grasped his stick; he now goes up to the door, throws it open, and makes a military salute._ _The_ BURGOMASTER _enters, red with anger. Behind him comes_ BILLING. BURGOMASTER. What is the meaning of these antics? DR. STOCKMANN. Respect, my good Peter! Now, it’s I that am in power in this town. [_He struts up and down._ MRS. STOCKMANN. [_Almost in tears._] Oh, Thomas! BURGOMASTER. [_Following him._] Give me my cap and stick! DR. STOCKMANN. [_As before._] You may be Chief of Police, but I am Burgomaster. I am master of the whole town I tell you! BURGOMASTER. Put down my cap, I say. Remember it is an official cap, as by law prescribed! DR. STOCKMANN. Pshaw! Do you think the awakening lion of the democracy will let itself be scared by a gold-laced cap? There’s to be a revolution in the town to-morrow, let me tell you. You threatened me with dismissal; but now _I_ dismiss _you_—dismiss you from all your offices of trust—. You think I can’t do it?—Oh, yes, I can! I have the irresistible forces of society on my side. Hovstad and Billing will thunder in the _People’s Messenger_, and Aslaksen will take the field at the head of the House-owners' Association—— ASLAKSEN. No, Doctor, I shall not. DR. STOCKMANN. Why, of course you will——