ALLMERS. [With painful emotion.] Oh, yes, perhaps, my little boy.

EYOLF. It would be so splendid, you know, if I could climb the
mountains, like you.

ASTA. [Changing the subject.] Why, how beautifully you are dressed
to-day, Eyolf!

EYOLF. Yes, don't you think so, Auntie?

ASTA. Yes, indeed. Is it in honour of Papa that you have got your
new clothes on?

EYOLF. Yes, I asked Mama to let me. I wanted so to let Papa see me
in them.

ALLMERS. [In a low voice, to RITA.] You shouldn't have given him
clothes like that.

RITA. [In a low voice.] Oh, he has teased me so long about them--he
had set his heart on them. He gave me no peace.

EYOLF. And I forgot to tell you, Papa--Borgheim has bought me a new
bow. And he has taught me how to shoot with it too.

ALLMERS. Ah, there now--that's just the sort of thing for you,
Eyolf.

EYOLF. And next time he comes, I shall ask him to teach me to swim,