“Dr. Stockmann has been treating me since I had my gallbladder taken out—oh, must’ve been twelve years ago now. Or was it fifteen? Anyway, he always listens. Doesn’t talk down to you like some of these men with degrees do. He explains what’s wrong, draws little pictures sometimes.

And if he says the water is bad, then it’s bad. I don’t need the council to confirm it. If Dr. Stockmann told me the moon was giving us headaches, I’d start wearing a hat to bed. That’s how much I trust him.”