ASLAKSEN. It would have been more prudent to let somebody else do that—some one not so closely connected with you. HOVSTAD. And then you ought not to have appeared in the matter under your own name. No one need have known that the attack on the Baths came from you. You should have taken me into your counsels, Dr. Stockmann. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Stares straight in front of him; a light seems to break in upon him, and he says as though thunderstruck._] Is this possible? Can such things be? ASLAKSEN. [_Smiling._] It’s plain enough that they can. But they ought to be managed delicately, you understand. HOVSTAD. And there ought to be more people in it; for the responsibility always falls more lightly when there are several to share it. DR. STOCKMANN. [_Calmly._] In one word, gentlemen—what is it you want? ASLAKSEN. Mr. Hovstad can best—— HOVSTAD. No, you explain, Aslaksen. ASLAKSEN. Well, it’s this: now that we know how the matter really stands, we believe we can venture to place the _People’s Messenger_ at your disposal. DR. STOCKMANN. You can venture to _now_, eh? But how about public opinion? Aren’t you afraid of bringing down a storm upon us? HOVSTAD. We must manage to ride out the storm. ASLAKSEN. And you must be ready to put about quickly, Doctor. As soon as your attack has done its work—— DR. STOCKMANN. As soon as my father-in-law and I have bought up the shares at a discount, you mean? HOVSTAD. I presume it is mainly on scientific grounds that you want to take the management of the Baths into your own hands. DR. STOCKMANN. Of course; it was on scientific grounds that I got the old Badger to stand in with me. And then we’ll tinker up the water-works a little, and potter about a bit down at the beach, without its costing the town sixpence. That ought to do the business? Eh? HOVSTAD. I think so—if you have the _Messenger_ to back you up. ASLAKSEN. In a free community the press is a power, Doctor. DR. STOCKMANN. Yes, indeed; and so is public opinion. And you, Mr. Aslaksen—I suppose you will answer for the House-owners' Association? ASLAKSEN. Both for the House-owners' Association and the Temperance Society. You may make your mind easy. DR. STOCKMANN. But, gentlemen—really I'm quite ashamed to mention such a thing—but—what return——? HOVSTAD.