Now really, Thomas! PETRA. [_To HORSTER._] If only you hadn’t seen us home, perhaps it would not have come to this. HORSTER. I don’t regret it. PETRA. [_Gives him her hand._] Thank you for that! HORSTER. [_To DR. STOCKMANN._] And then, too, I wanted to tell you this: if you are really determined to go abroad, I've thought of another way—— DR. STOCKMANN. That’s good—if only we can get off quickly—— MRS. STOCKMANN. Hush! Isn’t that a knock? PETRA. I believe it is uncle. DR. STOCKMANN. Aha! [_Calls._] Come in! MRS. STOCKMANN. My dear Thomas, now do promise me—— _The BURGOMASTER enters from the hall._ BURGOMASTER. [_In the doorway._] Oh, you are engaged. Then I'd better—— DR. STOCKMANN. No no; come in. BURGOMASTER. But I wanted to speak to you alone. MRS. STOCKMANN. We can go into the sitting-room. HORSTER. And I shall look in again presently. DR. STOCKMANN. No no; go with the ladies, Captain Horster; I must hear more about—— HORSTER. All right, then I'll wait. [_He follows_ MRS. STOCKMANN _and_ PETRA _into the sitting-room. The_ BURGOMASTER _says nothing, but casts glances at the windows._ DR. STOCKMANN. I daresay you find it rather draughty here today? Put on your cap. BURGOMASTER. Thanks, if I may. [_Does so._] I fancy I caught cold yesterday evening. I stood there shivering—— DR. STOCKMANN. Really. On my soul, now, I found it quite warm enough. BURGOMASTER. I regret that it was not in my power to prevent these nocturnal excesses. DR. STOCKMANN. Have you anything else in particular to say to me? BURGOMASTER. [_Producing a large letter._] I have this document for you from the Directors of the Baths. DR. STOCKMANN. My dismissal? BURGOMASTER. Yes; dated from to-day. [_Places the letter on the table._] We are very sorry—but frankly, we dared not do otherwise, on account of public opinion. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Smiling._] Dared not? I've heard that phrase already to-day. BURGOMASTER. I beg you to realise your position clearly. For the future, you cannot count upon any sort of practice in the town. DR. STOCKMANN.