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SCENE SECOND
[A hillock, covered with bushes and heather. The highroad runs behind it; a fence between.] [PEER GYNT comes along a footpath, goes quickly up to the fence, stops, and looks out over the stretch of country below.] PEER
- There it lies, Hegstad. Soon I'll have reached it.
- [Puts one leg over the fence; then hesitates.]
- Wonder if Ingrid's alone in the house now?
- [Shades his eyes with his hand, and looks out.]
- No; to the farm guests are swarming like gnats.-
- Hm, to turn back now perhaps would be wisest.
- [Draws back his leg.]
- Still they must titter behind your back,
- and whisper so that it burns right through you.
- [Moves a few steps away from the fence, and begins absently plucking leaves.]
- Ah, if I'd only a good strong dram now.
- Or if I could pass to and fro unseen.-
- Or were I unknown.-Something proper and strong
- were the best thing of all, for the laughter don't bite then.
- [Looks around suddenly as though afraid; then hides among the bushes. Some WEDDING-GUESTS pass by, going downwards towards the farm.]
A MAN [in conversation as they pass].
- His father was drunken, his mother is w
