Scene 4.

Jakob Skomager (in his shirt). Jeppe.

=Jakob=--Who the devil comes here so early?

=Jeppe=--Good morning, Jakob Skomager.

=Jakob=--Thank you, Jeppe! You're around pretty early to-day.

=Jeppe=--Give me a penny worth of brandy, Jakob.

=Jakob=--Very well, hand me the penny.

=Jeppe=--You'll get that to-morrow when I come back.

=Jakob=--Jakob Skomager doesn't sell whiskey on credit; you have a penny or two, I know.

=Jeppe=--The devil I have, Jakob! Except a few shillings my wife gave me to buy soap for in town.

=Jakob=--I know you can beat down the price a couple of pence; what is your purchase, Jeppe?

=Jeppe=--I am to buy two pounds of soft soap.

=Jakob=--Why, can't you say that you gave a couple pence more per pound than you paid?

=Jeppe=--I'm so afraid that my wife will find it out, and then bad luck to me!

=Jakob=--Pshaw! How'll she find that out? Can't you swear that you spent all your money? You're a dunce.

=Jeppe=--True enough, Jakob, that's what I can do.

=Jakob=--Give me the penny then.

=Jeppe=--There! but you must give me back a ha'penny.

=Jakob= (comes with a glass and drinks Jeppe's health). Your health, Jeppe!

=Jeppe= (looks at glass)--You drank like a fish.

=Jakob=--Well! Don't you know it is customary for the host to drink to the health of the guests?

=Jeppe=--I know; but may the devil take the one who first started that custom! Your health, Jakob!

=Jakob=--Thanks, Jeppe! You will have to take something for the other ha'penny, too. You can't bring it back. Or perhaps you want to have a glass of whiskey to your credit when you come back from town. For, by my faith, I haven't a single ha'penny.

=Jeppe=--The devil I will; if I must spend it, I'll do it now, for then I can feel that I have something in my stomach; but if you drink of it, too, I won't pay.

=Jakob=--Your health, Jeppe!

=Jeppe=--God keep our friends and the devil take all our enemies! Ah, that felt good!

=Jakob=--Happy journey, Jeppe!

=Jeppe=--Thanks, Jakob Skomager!