ÅSE. Put me down! PEER. No, in my arms I will bear you to the wedding! [_Wades out into the stream._ ÅSE. Help! The Lord have mercy on us! Peer! We’re drowning—— PEER. I was born For a braver death—— ÅSE. Ay, true; Sure enough you’ll hang at last! [_Tugging at his hair._ Oh, you brute! PEER. Keep quiet now; Here the bottom’s slippery-slimy. ÅSE. Ass! PEER. That’s right, don’t spare your tongue; That does no one any harm. Now it’s shelving up again—— ÅSE. Don’t you drop me! PEER. Heisan! Hop! Now we’ll play at Peer and reindeer;— [_Curvetting._ I’m the reindeer, you are Peer! ÅSE. Oh, I’m going clean distraught! PEER. See now—we have reached the shallows;— [_Wades ashore._ Come, a kiss now, for the reindeer; Just to thank him for the ride—— ÅSE [_Boxing his ears._] This is how I thank him! PEER. Ow! That’s a miserable fare! ÅSE. Put me down! PEER. First to the wedding. Be my spokesman. You’re so clever; Talk to him, the old curmudgeon; Say Mads Moen’s good for nothing—— ÅSE. Put me down! PEER. And tell him then What a rare lad is Peer Gynt. ÅSE. Truly, you may swear to that! Fine’s the character I’ll give you. Through and through I’ll show you up; All about your devil’s pranks I will tell them straight and plain—— PEER. Will you? ÅSE. [_Kicking with rage._] I won’t stay my tongue Till the old man sets his dog At you, as you were a tramp! PEER. H’m; then I must go alone. ÅSE. Ay, but I’ll come after you! PEER. Mother dear, you haven’t strength—— ÅSE. Strength? When I’m in such a rage, I could crush the rocks to powder! Hu! I’d make a meal of flints! Put me down!