"A dram and a beer," growled the rag and bone man, seating himself by the table and beginning to unpack his food.
The inn-keeper came towards him with a bottle and two glasses. He glanced uncertainly at Lars Peter, and poured out two brimming glassfuls. "Your health, old friend," said he ingratiatingly. The rag and bone man drank without answering his challenge; he had given the fat lump a fright, and now he was making up to him. It was odd to be able to make people shiver—quite a new feeling. But he rather liked it. And it did him good to give vent to his anger; he had a feeling of well-being after having let off steam. Here sat this insolent landlord trying to curry favor, just because one would not put up with everything. Lars Peter felt a sudden inclination to put his foot upon his neck, and give him a thorough shock. Or bend him over so that head and heels met. Why should he not use his superior strength once in a while? Then perhaps people would treat him with something like respect.
The inn-keeper sank down on a chair in front of him. "Well, Lars Peter Hansen, so you've become a socialist?" he began, blinking his eyes.
Lars Peter dropped his heavy fist on the table so that everything jumped—the inn-keeper included. "I'm done with being treated like dirt—do you understand! I'm just as good as you and all the rest of them. And if I hear any more nonsense, then to hell with you all."
"Of course, of course! 'twas only fun, Lars Peter Hansen. And how's every one at home? Wife and children well?" He still blinked whenever Lars Peter moved.
Lars Peter did not answer him, but helped himself to another dram. The rascal knew quite well all about Sörine.
"D'you know—you should have brought the wife with you. [Womenfolk] love a trip to town," the inn-keeper tried again. Lars Peter looked suspiciously at him.
"What d'you mean by this tomfoolery?" he said darkly. "You know quite well that she's in there."
"What—is she? Has she run away from you then?"
Lars Peter took another glass. "She's locked up, and you know it—curse you!" He put the glass down heavily on the table.