Why, what on earth are you driving at? BURGOMASTER. Do you really want me to believe that you are ignorant of the terms of old Morten Kiil’s will? DR. STOCKMANN. I know that the little he has is to go to a home for old and needy artizans. But what has that got to do with me? BURGOMASTER. To begin with, “the little he has” is no trifle. Morten Kiil is a tolerably wealthy man. DR. STOCKMANN. I have never had the least notion of that! BURGOMASTER. H'm—really? Then I suppose you have no notion that a not inconsiderable part of his fortune is to go to your children, you and your wife having a life-interest in it. Has he not told you that? DR. STOCKMANN. No, I'll be hanged if he has! On the contrary, he has done nothing but grumble about being so preposterously over-taxed, But are you really sure of this, Peter? BURGOMASTER. I have it from a thoroughly trustworthy source. DR. STOCKMANN. Why, good heavens, then Katrina’s provided for—and the children too! Oh, I must tell her——[_Calls._] Katrina, Katrina! BURGOMASTER. [_Holding him back._] Hush! don’t say anything about it yet. MRS. STOCKMANN. [_Opening the door._] What is it? DR. STOCKMANN. Nothing my dear; go in again. [MRS. STOCKMANN _closes the door._ DR. STOCKMANN. [_Pacing up and down._] Provided for! Only think—all of them provided for! And for life! After all, it’s a grand thing to feel yourself secure! BURGOMASTER. Yes, but that is just what you are not. Morten Kiil can revoke his will any day or hour he chooses. DR. STOCKMANN. But he won’t, my good Peter. The Badger is only too delighted to see me fall foul of you and your wiseacre friends. BURGOMASTER. [_Starts and looks searchingly at him._] Aha! That throws a new light on a good many things. DR. STOCKMANN. What things? BURGOMASTER. So the whole affair has been a carefully-concocted intrigue. Your recklessly violent onslaught—in the name of truth—upon the leading men of the town—— DR. STOCKMANN. Well, what of it? BURGOMASTER. It was nothing but a preconcerted requital for that vindictive old Morten Kiil’s will. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Almost speechless._] Peter—you are the most abominable plebeian I have ever known in all my born days. BURGOMASTER. All is over between us. Your dismissal is irrevocable—for now we have a weapon against you. _He goes out._