Modern Icelandic Plays Part 22

You came here to listen to false charges, but you shall have a better pastime. You shall see the bailiff himself play at _glima_ with the man he calls thief.

_Bjrn._

You must be crazy! I won't touch him.

_Halla._

My dear brother-in-law made me a promise last spring that he would wrestle with Kari here at the folds. It was a wager, and now he is backing out of it. What do you say to that?

_Bjrn._

An honest man does not play with a thief.

_Halla._

He is no more thief than you are. Should you be a thief, because I said so? (_To the people._) He is only too glad to get out of the _glima_.

He is a coward! He is a coward!

(_Loud or suppressed laughter all around._)

_Bjrn._

Never before has Bjrn Bergsteinsson been called a coward. (_Takes off his coat._)

(_Kari throws off his coat. The crowd draws back, leaving an open s.p.a.ce. The "glima" begins. Bjrn pushes Kari out to the back, and the people follow. The heads of the wrestlers are seen; then they disappear to the left. A moment of silence, then a sudden outcry._)

_All._

Kari has won! Kari has won! (_Silence again._) Bjrn is hurt!

[_Exeunt some of the crowd._

_Kari._

I think he has had enough. (_Goes to Halla._)

_A Peasant._

Bjrn had his leg broken. We must help him.

_Jon._

I told them to look out for the rocks.

_Halla._

It was the bailiff who drew Kari out on the rocks.

[_Exeunt the rest of the peasants._

_Bjrn's voice is heard, threatening._ You shall pay me back for this, Halla!

_Arnes._

I am glad he got it.

_Arngrim._

"Hard upon hard," said the old woman; she sat down on a stone.

_The Boy (goes to Kari, almost weeping)._

You are not a thief!

_Kari (patting him on the head)._

No, no!

_Halla (to Arnes)._

Will you do me the favor to see that my sheep are driven home to-night?

I don't want Kari to stay here any longer.

_Arnes._

I will do it gladly. (_To Kari._) I meant to warn you against what has overtaken you now.

_Kari._

I know it. You meant well.

_The Boy._

May I go home with Kari?

_Halla._

No, you must stay here and help Arnes. I will go home with Kari myself.

(_Laughs._) You know I must watch my prisoner. You may bring the horses, the black and the sorrel.

[_Exit the Boy._

_Gudfinna._

Why all this hurry?

_Halla (goes to her)._

You always had a liking for the little box where my husband kept his money. When we get home, I want you to have that box and all that is in it.