Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/81

A Lad.

Indeed?

Peer.

        I went to the smithy, and begged
That he would crack that same nutshell for me.
He promised he would!—laid it down on his anvil;
But Aslak, you know, is so heavy of hand;—
For ever swinging that great sledge-hammer——

A Voice from the Crowd.

Did he kill the foul fiend?

Peer.

                            He laid on like a man.
But the devil showed fight, and tore off in a flame
Through the roof, and shattered the wall asunder.

Several Voices.

And the smith——?

Peer.

                   Stood there with his hands all scorched.
And from that day onwards, we've never been friends. [General laughter.

Some of the Crowd.

That yarn is a good one.

Others.

                         About his best.

Peer.

Do you think I am making it up?