e like yourself--a little thinner than when I last
saw you; but how's everything now, dear old chap?

PEHR. [Eyeing him.] Oh, thanks, thanks--very well indeed, as--ahem--you
see. Pray take a chair and sit down.

FIRST FRIEND. Why, bless my soul! I've just had dinner, but I'll go into
your ante-room and wait there while you finish yours.

PEHR. No, that is just what you shall not do! I remarked a while ago
that I thought life so empty when one must sit alone at table. Take a
chair and sit down.

FIRST FRIEND. Dear old friend, if you insist I will sit beside you while
you dine; but it actually looks as though I had come here for a meal.

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. Oh, he's a friend of mine.

SECOND FRIEND. [To Pehr.] Who is that beggar? He stuffs himself like a.
wolf in the springtime!

PEHR. Oh, he is a good friend of mine.

FIRST FRIEND. [To Pehr.] Beware false friends, Pehr!

SECOND FRIEND. [To Pehr.] Beware false friends, Pehr!