[With a forced shrug.

Oh, let them chatter.[chatter.]

After all, they can’t sneer the life out of my body.

[Casts himself down upon the heathery slope; lies for some time flat on his back with his hands under his head, gazing up into the sky.

What a strange sort of cloud! It is just like a horse.

There’s a man on it too—and a saddle—and bridle.—

And after it comes an old crone on a broomstick.

[Laughs quietly to himself.

It is mother. She’s scolding and screaming: You beast!

Hei you, Peer Gynt——