Well, Randina, too, had an idea he was afraid to come, because of the neighbours. [_Speaks through the sitting-room doorway._] What is it, Randina?—Very well. [_Goes out, and returns immediately._] Here is a letter for you, Thomas. DR. STOCKMANN. Let me see. [_Opens the letter and reads._] Aha! MRS. STOCKMANN. Who is it from? DR. STOCKMANN. From the landlord. He gives us notice. MRS. STOCKMANN. Is it possible? He is such a nice man—— DR. STOCKMANN. [_Looking at the letter._] He daren’t do otherwise, he says. He is very unwilling to do it; but he daren’t do otherwise—on account of his fellow citizens—out of respect for public opinion—is in a dependent position—doesn’t dare to offend certain influential men—— MRS. STOCKMANN. There, you see, Thomas. DR. STOCKMANN. Yes, yes, I see well enough; they are all cowards, every one of them, in this town; no one dares do anything for fear of all the rest. [_Throws the letter on the table._] But it’s all the same to us, Katrina. We will shape our course for the new world, and then—— MRS. STOCKMANN. But are you sure this idea of going abroad is altogether wise, Thomas? DR. STOCKMANN. Would you have me stay here, where they have pilloried me as an enemy of the people, branded me, smashed my windows! And look here, Katrina, they’ve torn a hole in my black trousers, too. MRS. STOCKMANN. Oh dear; and these are the best you have! DR. STOCKMANN. A man should never put on his best trousers when he goes out to battle for freedom and truth. Well, I don’t care so much about the trousers; them you can always patch up for me. But that the mob, the rabble, should dare to attack me as if they were my equals—_that_ is what I can’t, for the life of me, stomach! MRS. STOCKMANN. Yes, they have behaved abominably to you here, Thomas; but is that any reason for leaving the country altogether? DR. STOCKMANN.