Oh, because I have these clothes on.

Allmers.

[Knitting his brows.] Do you mean that they make fun of—of your pretty clothes?

Eyolf.

[Evasively.] No, they daren’t—for then I would thrash them.

Allmers.

Aha!—then why——?

Eyolf.

You see, they are so naughty, these boys. And then they say I can never be a soldier.

Allmers.