Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/51

 and declared that such a headpiece
 * many a prince down there might envy;
 * till the cob your father gave him,
 * with a sledge to boot, in thanks
 * for his pleasant, friendly talk.-
 * Ah, but things went bravely then!
 * Provost, captain, all the rest,
 * dropped in daily, ate and drank,
 * swilling, till they well-nigh burst.
 * But 'tis need that tests one's neighbour.
 * Still it grew and empty here
 * from the day that "Gold-bag Jon"
 * started with his pack, a pedlar.
 * [Dries her eyes with her apron.]
 * Ah, you're big and strong enough,
 * you should be a staff and pillar
 * for your mother's frail old age,-
 * you should keep the farm-work going,
 * guard the remnants of your gear;-
 * [Crying again.]
 * oh, God help me, small's the profit
 * you have been to me, you scamp!
 * Lounging by the hearth at home,
 * grubbing in the charcoal embers;
 * or, round all the country, frightening
 * girls away from merry-makings-
 * shaming me in all directions,
 * fighting with the worst rapscallions-

PEER [turning away from her].
 * Let me be.

ASE [following