Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/282

He has set at defiance his life's design;
Clap him into the ladle with other spoilt goods.

Peer.

What nonsense! They must mean some other person.
Is it really Peer? It's not Rasmus, or Jon?

The Button-moulder.

It is many a day since I melted them.
So come quietly now, and don't waste my time.

Peer.

I'll be damned if I do! Ay, 'twould be a fine thing
If it turned out to-morrow some one else was meant.
You'd better take care what you're at, my good man!
Think of the onus you're taking upon you——

The Button-moulder.

I have it in writing——

Peer.

                         At least give me time!

The Button-moulder.

What good would that do you?

Peer.

                             I'll use it to prove
That I've been myself all the days of my life;
And that's the question that's in dispute.

The Button-moulder.

You'll prove it? And how?