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PEER GYNT.
ACT FIRST.
SCENE FIRST.
A wooded hillside near Åse's farm. A river rushes down the slope. On the farther side of it an old mill-shed. It is a hot day in summer.
Peer Gynt, a strongly-built youth of twenty, comes down the pathway. His mother, Åse, a small, slightly-built woman, follows him, scolding angrily.
Åse.
Peer, you're lying!
Peer.
[Without stopping.]
No, I am not!
Åse.
Well then, swear that it is true!
Peer.
Swear? Why should I?
Åse.
See, you dare not!
It's a lie from first to last.