Lisbed. Oh, but is it sure that he is coming home to-morrow?

Jeronimus.  Yes, yes; you hear, don’t you, that’s when he is coming?

Lisbed. How long is it till to-morrow, father dear?

Jeronimus.  What confounded nonsense!  These people in love act as if they were crazy.

Lisbed. I tell you, I shall count every hour.

Jeronimus.  You should ask how long an hour is, so that people would think that you were completely mad.  Stop this twaddle and let us elders talk together.—­Listen, my dear Jeppe Berg!  Do you think it is wise for these two young people to marry before he gets a position?

Jeppe.  That is as you think best.  I can support them well enough, but it would be better that he should get a position first.

Jeronimus.  I don’t think it would be wise for them to marry until then. (Lisbed weeps and wails.) Fie, shame on you!  It’s a disgrace for a girl to carry on so!

Lisbed (sobbing).  Can’t he get a position soon, then?

Jeppe.  There’s no doubt about it; he’ll get a position soon enough, for from what I hear he is so learned he can read any book there is.  He wrote me a Latin letter just lately.

Nille.  And, marry, it’s one that can stand alone, as the deacon can tell you.

Lisbed. Was it so well written?

Peer.  Yes, well written for one so young.  He may amount to something, Mamsell!  But there’s a lot left to learn.  I thought I was learned, myself, at his age, but—­

Jeppe.  Yes, you learned folk never praise one another—­

Peer.  Nonsense!  Do you think I am jealous of him?  Before he was born I had been up for a flogging before the school three times, and when he was in the fourth form I had been eight years a deacon.

Jeppe.  One man may have a better head than another; one may learn as much in a year as others in ten.

Peer.  For that matter, the deacon dares set his head against any one’s.

Jeronimus.  Yes, yes, you may both be right.  Let us go home, children.  Good-bye, Jeppe!  I happened to be passing, and I thought I might as well talk to you on the way.

Lisbed. Be sure to let me know as soon as he comes!

[Exeunt Jeronimus, Magdelone, and Lisbed.

SCENE 6

(Enter Jacob.)

Jeppe.  What do you want, Jacob?

Jacob.  Father!  Have you heard the news?  Rasmus Berg is back.

Jeppe.  Heavens, is it possible!  How does he look?