Yes, and then there’s one’s duty to one’s family! I must talk that over with Katrina; such things are more in her line. MORTEN KIIL. That’s right! You just follow the advice of a sensible woman. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Turning upon him angrily._] How could you act so preposterously! Risking Katrina’s money, and putting me to this horrible torture! When I look at you, I seem to see the devil himself——! MORTEN KIIL. Then I'd better be off. But I must, hear from you, yes or no, by two o’clock. If it’s no, all the shares go to the Hospital—and that this very day. DR. STOCKMANN. And what will Katrina get? MORTEN KIIL. Not a rap. [_The door leading to the hall opens. HOVSTAD and ASLAKSEN are seen outside it._ MORTEN KIIL. Hullo! look at these two. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Staring at them._] What! Do you actually venture to come here? HOVSTAD. Why, to be sure we do. ASLAKSEN. You see, we’ve something to discuss with you. MORTEN KIIL. [_Whispers._] Yes or no—by two o’clock. ASLAKSEN. [_With a glance at HOVSTAD._] Aha! [MORTEN KIIL _goes out._ DR. STOCKMANN. Well, what do you want with me? Be brief. HOVSTAD. I can quite understand that you resent our attitude at the meeting yesterday—— DR. STOCKMANN. Your attitude, you say? Yes, it was a pretty attitude! I call it the attitude of cowards—of old women——Shame upon you! HOVSTAD. Call it what you will; but we _could_ not act otherwise. DR. STOCKMANN. You _dared_ not, I suppose? Isn’t that so? HOVSTAD. Yes, if you like to put it so. ASLAKSEN. But why didn’t you just say a word to us beforehand? The merest hint to Mr. Hovstad or to me—— DR. STOCKMANN. A hint? What about? ASLAKSEN. About what was really behind it all. DR. STOCKMANN. I don’t in the least understand you? ASLAKSEN. [_Nods confidentially._] Oh yes, you do, Dr. Stockmann. HOVSTAD. It’s no good making a mystery of it any longer. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Looking from one to the other._] Why, what in the devil’s name——! ASLAKSEN. May I ask—isn’t your father-in-law going about the town buying up all the Bath stock? DR. STOCKMANN. Yes, he has been buying Bath stock to-day but——