Mother Åse shall enter free!”

[Laughs loudly, and turns towards his mother.

Ay, didn’t I know what would happen?

Now they dance to another tune!

[Uneasily.

Why, what makes your eyes so glassy?

Mother! Have you gone out of your wits——?

[Goes to the head of the bed.

You mustn’t lie there and stare so——!

Speak, mother; it’s I, your boy!