Ah, my dear Mr. Hovstad, don’t talk about certain truths! The truths acknowledged by the masses, the multitude, were certain truths to the vanguard in our grandfathers' days. We, the vanguard of to-day, don’t acknowledge them any longer; and I don’t believe there exists any other certain truth but this—that no society can live a healthy life upon truths so old and and marrowless. HOVSTAD. But instead of all this vague talk, suppose you were to give us some specimens of these old marrowless truths that we are living upon. [_Approval from several quarters._ DR. STOCKMANN. Oh, I could give you no end of samples from the rubbish-heap; but, for the present, I shall keep to one acknowledged truth, which is a hideous lie at bottom, but which Mr. Hovstad, and the _Messenger_, and all adherents of the _Messenger_, live on all the same. HOVSTAD. And that is——? DR. STOCKMANN. That is the doctrine you have inherited from your forefathers, and go on thoughtlessly proclaiming far and wide—the doctrine that the multitude, the vulgar herd, the masses, are the pith of the people—that they _are_ the people—that the common man, the ignorant, undeveloped member of society, has the same right to sanction and to condemn, to counsel and to govern, as the intellectually distinguished few. BILLING. Well, now, strike me dead——! HOVSTAD. [_Shouting at the same time._] Citizens, please note this! ANGRY VOICES. Ho-ho! Aren’t we the people? Is it only the grand folks that are to govern? A WORKING MAN. Out with the fellow that talks like that! OTHERS. Turn him out! A CITIZEN. [_Shouting._] Blow your horn, Evensen. [_The deep notes of a horn are heard; whistling, and terrific noise in the room._ DR. STOCKMANN. [_When the noise has somewhat subsided._] Now do be reasonable! Can’t you bear even for once in a way to hear the voice of truth? I don’t ask you all to agree with me on the instant. But I certainly should have expected Mr. Hovstad to back me up, as soon as he had collected himself a bit. Mr. Hovstad sets up to be a freethinker—— SEVERAL VOICES. [_Subdued and wondering._] Freethinker, did he say? What? Mr. Hovstad a freethinker? HOVSTAD. [_Shouting._] Prove it, Dr. Stockmann. When have I said so in print? DR. STOCKMANN.