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!