Modern Icelandic Plays Part 50

(_The Servants rise._)

_Jon._

I believe the worst is over and that we shall be let off with the fright.

_Indridi._

I hope so.

_Bjrg._

You can never tell. Remember what happened the time when more than three-score farm-houses fell in one night.

_Thora._

It must have been dreadful.

_Sveinungi._

Now you must all go into the tent.

[_The Servants go in._

_Jakobina._

I shouldn't wonder if something dreadful were to happen to the farm.

[_Goes into the tent._

(_Sveinungi stands quite still a little while, then walks a few steps, pauses, takes a few more steps, and again stops._)

_Enter Ljot from the tent._

_Ljot._

Are you not coming, father? Mother told me to ask you to come in.

_Sveinungi._

Why doesn't she lie down? She need not wait for me.

_Ljot._

We are so frightened, father-- all of us.

_Enter Jorunn from the tent._

_Jorunn._

It's getting cold.

_Ljot._

Yes, it is cold.

_Jorunn._

The sun has set.

_Sveinungi._

Why are you coming out again, Jorunn? Can't you sleep?

_Jorunn._

No, I can't sleep.

_Sveinungi._

Do you remember the night you thought I was lost in the snowstorm?

A light was burning in the upper window. To see it was better than meeting a human being, and when the dogs began to bark behind the door, it was just as if the house itself were speaking-- calling out its joy.

It sounded better to me than a human voice, and when I stepped into the hall, the darkness seemed to put its arms around me. Never have I had so sweet a welcome, not even when my daughter was a little child.

_Jorunn._

Ought we not to go in, Sveinungi? It's getting late. You too must go in now, Ljot.

_Ljot._

I am only waiting for father.

_Jorunn._

Do you hear that, Sveinungi? Ljot is waiting for you, and the servants can't sleep either before you go in.

_Sveinungi._

I am not going to stay in the tent to-night. I am going home.

_Jorunn._

You don't mean that!

_Ljot._

But, father dear!

_Sveinungi._

I won't let any foolish fear drive me out of my house, and it is nothing but a foolish fear. The earthquake will not come so suddenly but that I shall have time to get out. It's impossible. Besides, the _badstofa_ will hold. It's well built, though it's old.