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.] [PEER GYNT has suddenly become subdued. He glances shyly and furtively at the group. All look at him, but no one speaks. He approaches other groups. Wherever he goes there is silence; when he moves away, they look after him and smile.] PEER [to himself].
- Mocking looks; needle-keen whispers and smiles.
- They grate like a sawblade under the file!
[He slinks along close to the fence. SOLVEIG, leading little HELGA by the hand, comes into the yard, along with her PARENTS.] A MAN [to another, close to PEER GYNT].
- Look, here are the new folk.
THE OTHER
- The ones from the west?
THE FIRST MAN
- Ay, the people from Hedal.
THE OTHER
- Ah yes, so they are.
PEER [places himself in the path of the new-comers, points to
- SOLVEIG, and asks the FATHER:]
- May I dance with your daughter?
THE FATHER [quietly].
- You may so; but first
- we must go to the farm-house and greet the good people.
- [They go in.]
THE MASTER-COOK [to
