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Peer.
Not yet . Crazy? Heaven forbid!
[A commotion. The Minister Hussein[1] forces his way through the crowd.
Hussein.
They tell me a Kaiser has come to-day.
[To Peer Gynt.
It is you?
Peer.
[In desperation.]
Yes, that is a settled thing!
Hussein.
Good.—Then no doubt there are notes to be answered?
Peer.
[Tearing his hair.]
Come on! Right you are, sir;—the madder the better!
Hussein.
Will you do me the honour of taking a dip?
[Bowing deeply.
I am a pen.
Peer.
[Bowing still deeper.]
Why then I am quite clearly
A rubbishy piece of imperial parchment.
Hussein.
My story, my lord, is concisely this:
They take me for a pounce-box,[2] and I am a pen.