Aslaksen.
Hurrah! Now there’s some life in the local situation.
[He places the punch-bowl on the middle table, serves the others, and drinks freely himself during the following scene. Bastian Monsen has meanwhile entered from the right.
Bastian.
[Softly.] You won’t forget my letter?
Aslaksen.
Don’t be afraid. [Taps his breast pocket.] I have it here.
Bastian.
You’ll deliver it as soon as you can—when you see she’s disengaged, you understand.
Aslaksen.