PEHR. What matter even if it were so.
FIRST FRIEND. [Protests.] Oh--!
PEHR. Wait a bit--I'm not saying that it is so!
FIRST FRIEND. [Seats himself.] So now you are in clover, as they
say. It is pleasant to contemplate that fate can be so kindly, and
it must ever rejoice a sensitive soul to see that some one is
favored by fickle fortune. Not all--more's the pity!--can praise
fickle fortune.
PEHR. Indeed! Have you any grievances?
FIRST FRIEND. I?
PEHR. Yes--for I don't want to hear any hard-luck stories now, when
I'm eating. Won't you be good enough to favor me by trying a
hazel-grouse?
FIRST FRIEND. If you speak of favors, my friend!
PEHR. Then you mustn't say "my friend"; you must call me by name.
FIRST FRIEND. Christopher! You ask a service of poor me--can I then
deny you! [He begins to eat, his appetite increases during
following repartee. Pehr regards him with open-eyed wonder.]
PEHR. One should never deny another anything?
FIRST FRIEND. Well said! One should never deny oneself anything--
one another, I mean.
[Enter Second Friend.]
SECOND FRIEND. [Walking straight up to the table.] Good day, Goran!
Do you remember me? [Pehr Stares at him.] No you don't, but I
remember you. You see, I never forget my old friends! In the hour
of need I look them up. Here you sit and eat and I have nothing to
eat, therefore I say right out: Boy, here am I! [Seats himself at
table.]
FIRST FRIEND. [To Pehr.] Who is that tramp? He eats as though he
had not seen food from Christmas to Easter!
PEHR.
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