_An auction is going on in front of the farm-house. There is a great gathering of people, who are drinking, with much noise. PEER GYNT is sitting on a rubbish-heap beside the mill._ PEER. Forward and back, and it’s just as far; Out and in, and it’s just as strait.— Time wears away and the river gnaws on. Go roundabout, the Boyg said;—and here one must. A MAN DRESSED IN MOURNING. Now there is only rubbish left over. _[Catches sight of PEER GYNT._ Are there strangers here too? God be with you, good friend! PEER. Well met! You have lively times here to-day. Is’t a christening junket or wedding feast? THE MAN IN MOURNING. I’d rather call it a house-warming treat;— The bride is laid in a wormy bed. PEER. And the worms are squabbling for rags and clouts. THE MAN IN MOURNING. That’s the end of the ditty; it’s over and done. PEER. All the ditties end just alike; And they’re all old together; I knew ’em as a boy. A LAD OF TWENTY. [_With a casting-ladle._] Just look what a rare thing I’ve been buying! In this Peer Gynt cast his silver buttons. ANOTHER. Look at mine, though! The money-bag[118] bought for a halfpenny. A THIRD. No more, eh? Twopence for the pedlar’s pack! PEER. Peer Gynt? Who was he? THE MAN IN MOURNING. All I know is this: He was kinsman to Death and to Aslak the Smith. A MAN IN GREY. You’re forgetting me, man! Are you mad or drunk? THE MAN IN MOURNING. You forget that at Hegstad was a storehouse door THE MAN IN GREY. Ay, true; but we know you were never dainty. THE MAN IN MOURNING. If only she doesn’t give Death the slip—— THE MAN IN GREY. Come, kinsman! A dram, for our kinship’s sake! THE MAN IN MOURNING. To the deuce with your kinship! You’re maundering in drink—— THE MAN IN GREY. Oh, rubbish; blood’s never so thin as all that; One cannot but feel one’s akin to Peer Gynt. [_Goes off with him._ PEER. [_To himself._] One meets with acquaintances. A LAD. [_Calls after the MAN IN MOURNING._]