Smith [after a moment, in a low voice]
See, Peer, she’s taken a greybeard for partner.
Peer [turns sharply to an elderly man]
Where are the unbespoke girls?
The Man
Find them out.
[Goes away from him.]
[PEER GYNT has suddenly become subdued. He glances shyly and furtively at the group. All look at him, but no one speaks. He approaches other groups. Wherever he goes there is silence; when he moves away, they look after him and smile.]
Peer [to himself]
Mocking looks; needle-keen whispers and smiles.
They grate like a sawblade under the file!
[He slinks along close to the fence. SOLVEIG, leading little HELGA by the hand, comes into the yard, along with her PARENTS.]
A Man [to another, close to PEER GYNT]
Look, here are the new folk.
The Other
The ones from the west?
The First Man
Ay, the people from Hedal.
The Other
Ah yes, so they are.
Peer [places himself in the path of the new-comers, points to SOLVEIG, and asks the FATHER:]
May I dance with your daughter?
The Father [quietly]
You may so; but first
we must go to the farm-house and greet the good people.
[They go in.]
The Master-cook [to PEER GYNT, offering him drink]
Since you are here, you’d best take a pull at the liquor.
Peer [looking fixedly after the new-comers]
Thanks; I’m for dancing; I am not athirst.
[The MASTER–COOK goes away from him. PEER GYNT gazes towards the house and laughs.]
How fair! Did ever you see the like?
Looked down at her shoes and her snow-white-apron —!
And then she held on to her mother’s skirt-folds,
and carried a psalm-book wrapped up in a kerchief —!
I must look at that girl.
[Going into the house.]
A Lad [coming out of the house, with several others]
Are you off so soon, Peer,
from the dance?
Peer
No, no.
The Lad
Then you’re heading amiss!
[Takes hold of his shoulder to turn him round.]
Peer
Let me pass!
The Lad
I believe you’re afraid of the smith.
Peer
I afraid!
The Lad
You remember what happened at Lunde?
[They go off, laughing, to the dancing-green.]
Solveig [in the doorway of the house]
Are you not the lad that was wanting to dance?
Peer
Of course it was me; don’t you know me again?
[Takes her hand.]
Come, then!
Solveig
We mustn’t go far, mother said.
Peer
Mother said! Mother said! Were you born yesterday?
Solveig
Now you’re laughing —!
Peer
Why sure, you are almost a child.
Are you grown up?
Solveig
I read with the pastor last spring.
Peer
Tell me your name, lass, and then we’ll talk easier.
Solveig
My name is Solveig. And what are you called?
Peer
Peer Gynt.
Solveig [withdrawing her hand]
Oh heaven!
Peer
Why, what is it now?
Solveig
My garter is loose; I must tie it up tighter.
[Goes away from him.]
Peer among the Wedding Guests
The Bridegroom [pulling at his MOTHER’S gown]
Mother, she will not —!
His Mother
She will not? What?
The Bridegroom
She won’t, mother —
His Mother
What?
The Bridegroom
Unlock the door.
His
