Modern Icelandic Plays Part 23

_Gudfinna._

But you keep your own money there!

_Halla._

Not all. I meant to buy quite a number of sheep here to-day.

_Gudfinna (on her way out)._

I must be getting old. I don't understand anything any more.

_Halla._

You need not tell them up at the folds that I am going home.

_Gudfinna_ (_taking Halla's hand_). G.o.d bless you! (_Her voice breaks._) [_Exit._

_Arnes (to Arngrim)._

We had better be off, too.

_Arngrim (goes to Kari)._

If you should happen to ride astray, take care you don't lose her in the mist.

[_Exeunt._

_Kari (to Halla)._

What do you mean by riding home now?

_Halla._

Thank G.o.d, we have good horses! The folks won't get home with the sheep before nightfall, and they will not begin to look for us until to-morrow. By that time we shall have a good start.

_Kari._

You must not flee with me, Halla. You don't know the life you are going to.

_Halla._

You are a great child. Don't you think that I have weighed it all?

(_Smiles._) If you won't let me come and live with you, I will marry the bailiff.

_Kari (kneeling before her)._

Halla!

_Halla (stands for a moment in silence; takes a long breath)._

To-night we two shall ride alone in the hills!

ACT III

_A small gra.s.s-grown plot. In the foreground, to the right, a fantastic lava formation, a hollow cone five yards in height and three yards in circ.u.mference, once an enormous lava bubble produced by gases in the liquid lava. In course of time, the roof has crumbled, also the nearest wall. The farther wall is still standing, but there is a hole in it, through which the sky can be seen. Farther back and somewhat to the left, the wall of a small hut is seen, though partly hidden by the lava formation. The hut is built of stone, the walls of small stones c.h.i.n.ked with sod, the roof of large lava slabs. To the left, a deep gorge, the farther wall of which is so much higher than the one near by that it completely shuts off the view to the left. At the bottom of the gorge, a stream. Farther up, the gorge makes a turn to the left, and here the upper part of a waterfall is seen. Behind this, the glacier. On the gra.s.s plot is a hearth with a smouldering fire. Some rocks covered with skins serve as seats. From the gorge comes the murmuring sound of the waterfall._

_The stage is empty. A horn is heard, first a short call, then a longer._

_Enter Kari and Arnes. They are weather-beaten, bareheaded, dressed in knitted jerkins and knitted knee-breeches. Their feet are bare in their shoes. Both have ram's horns hanging at their side. Kari carries a swan, Arnes a bunch of ptarmigans, some f.a.ggots, and a few tufts of bearberry._

_Kari (looking into the hut)._

Halla! No, she is not here.

_Arnes._

She may have gone for water.

_Kari (lays down the swan)._

It is quite heavy.

_Arnes._

You might have let me carry it. I had not tired myself with running.

_Kari._

As I had caught it, I wanted to carry it. (_Smiles._) The old pride, you see.

_Arnes._

The honor would have been yours just the same.

_Kari._

This is the first swan this fall. (_Stroking it fondly._) I am glad the feathers didn't get blood-stained.

_Arnes._

It would be lonesome up here if we were only two.

_Kari._