EYOLF. And I forgot to tell you, Papa—Borgheim has bought me a new bow. And he has taught me how to shoot with it too.
ALLMERS. Ah, there now—that's just the sort of thing for you, Eyolf.
EYOLF. And next time he comes, I shall ask him to teach me to swim, too.
ALLMERS. To swim! Oh, what makes you want to learn swimming?
EYOLF. Well, you know, all the boys down at the beach can swim. I am the only one that can't.
ALLMERS. [With emotion, taking him in his arms.] You shall learn whatever you like—everything you really want to.
EYOLF. Then do you know what I want most of all, Papa?
ALLMERS. No; tell me.
EYOLF. I want most of all to be a soldier.
ALLMERS. Oh, little Eyolf, there are many, many other things that are better than that.