Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/202

 Aslaksen.

Hurrah! Now there's some life in the local situation.

[He places the punch-bowl on the middle table, serves the others, and drinks freely himself during the following scene. Bastian Monsen has meanwhile entered from the right.

Bastian.

[Softly.] You won't forget my letter?

Aslaksen.

Don't be afraid. [Taps his breast pocket.] I have it here.

Bastian.

You'll deliver it as soon as you can—when you see she's disengaged, you understand.

Aslaksen.

I understand. [Calls.] Come, now, the glasses are filled.

Bastian.

You shan't do it for nothing, I promise you.

Aslaksen.

All right, all right. [To the servant.] A lemon, Karen—quick as the wind! [Bastian retires.

Stensgård.

A word, Aslaksen; shall you be passing here to-morrow evening?

Aslaksen.

To-morrow evening? I can, if you like.