Modern Icelandic Plays Part 39

He is the same as ever.

[_Bjrg and Rannveig carry the milk into the store-house._

_Jakobina (rising)._

You didn't take notice of anything in particular on your way back?

_Indridi._

Not that I remember.

_Jakobina._

Did you see many birds?

_Indridi._

Come to think of it, I don't believe I saw any.

_Jakobina._

That's what I thought. [_Goes into the house._

_Enter Sveinungi from the house with a flask and a gla.s.s, which he fills._

_Sveinungi._

Here, this is for you.

_Jon (drinks)._

Thanks.

_Sveinungi (fills the gla.s.s again for Indridi and Helgi)._

Won't you take a drop too, Einar?

_Einar appears in the doorway of the smithy._

_Einar._

Thank you. (_Drinks._)

_Sveinungi (sees the Shepherd Boy)._

Are you here? Why, the girls are all through milking. Do you suppose you can keep the sheep standing in the fold all day? (_The Shepherd Boy is about to go._) Wait a minute! I have a little thing here that I bought for you yesterday. (_Takes a knife from his vest pocket._) I think the blade is good iron, and that is the main thing. (_Gives him the knife.

The Shepherd Boy kisses him._) It is not much. You are welcome to it.

_The Shepherd Boy (opens the knife)._

Look, Einar, it's a regular hunting-knife. (_Closes it, runs to the left, calling._) Snati! Pila! Snati!

_Rannveig._

You needn't call the dogs. They are up at the fold.

[_Exit the Shepherd Boy._

_Sveinungi._

That boy will amount to something in time. It's well done for one so young to tend more than four-score sheep, and he hasn't lost one yet.

[_Takes the flask back to the house._

_Jon._

He's in mighty good humor to-day, the old man.

_Bjrg._

I should say so.

_Indridi._

Why, he got the highest price for his wool.

_Jon._

And a sorry day it would be when we didn't get that!

_Indridi._

What do you think Jakobina had in mind when she asked about the birds?

_Jon._

It's hard to tell! She has her mind on so many things.

_Enter Sveinungi and Jorunn from the house._

_Sveinungi (in the door, laughing and talking)._

I believe the girls have their eye on the green chests. Indridi, will you carry them in? [_Indridi goes with one of the chests._

_Jorunn._

You can put them in the little room.