Modern Icelandic Plays Part 29

_Halla (stands up)._

I don't want your help. (_Takes hold of the skin._) Let go!

_Arnes (gives it up reluctantly)._

Are you angry?

_Halla_ (_takes the skin out of the horn-ring and throws it into the hut_). You are not so sorely needed as you think you are. (_Sits down again to her work._)

_Arnes._

I did not mean that. It makes me happy when I can do some little thing for you. Won't you let me finish it?

_Halla._

You shall not touch it.

_Arnes (stands for a moment, puzzled)._

Will you not forgive me what I said? I cannot bear to have you angry with me.

_Halla._

I am not angry.

_Arnes._

When you were ill, I once brought you some green leaves that had come up through the snow. Then you gave me a kiss.

_Halla._

Did I? (_Smiles; kisses him lightly on the cheek._) Have you peace in your soul now?

_Arnes._

I don't know. I believe I shall never have peace in my soul any more.

(_They are silent._)

_Halla._

You were good to me the time I was ill.

_Arnes._

I am not good to anybody. I am wicked.

_Halla._

You are not.

_Arnes._

Even with you I sometimes feel that I could hurt you.

_Halla._

We can all be ugly when we are tired and hungry.

_Arnes._

Will you let me kiss your mouth? Just once?

_Halla (rising)._

No.

_Arnes._

Your lips will suffer no harm from it. (_Takes hold of her shoulders and tries to draw her to him._)

_Halla (tears herself away from him)._

Have you gone mad?

_Arnes._

You have been true to Kari for seven years now. It is time you tired of it.

_Halla._

Now your face looks like the bailiff's when he called me a harlot.

(_Gives him a box on the ear._)

_Arnes (furiously)._

I know you better than you think. You are so pure! You have never done an evil deed!

_Halla._

What do you mean?

_Arnes._

Kari is more open-mouthed than you think. You have had a child before this one.

(_Halla s.h.i.+elds her face with her hands as though warding off a blow. Arnes sits silent._)