Modern Icelandic Plays Part 51

_Jorunn._

Do you think the _badstofa_ will hold if there should come a big earthquake? You cannot mean that!

_Sveinungi._

It is not at all sure there will be another shock. It's only a fancy that the earthquake must needs keep on once it has begun. I believe it is over; I feel it. (_During the last speeches the Servants have been coming out of the tent._) What are you running out for? Go in, all of you.

_Jakobina._

I must tell master about the dream I had. It was last night. I thought I was standing out in the yard and saw a giant coming across the _hraun_.

He walked with long, unsteady strides (_she takes a few steps forward; her voice sounds distant and threatening_), and seemed to grope as if he were blind. Then I saw him standing right by the house-- with arms stretched out; he bent down over the farm and stood there like a stone cross. (_Makes the sign of the cross with her arms._)

_Sveinungi._

Did I ask you to tell me about your dream?

_Jorunn._

I beg of you, Sveinungi, that you do not stay at the house to-night.

It would be tempting G.o.d.

_Sveinungi._

It's rather He who is tempting me. If I ran away, it would serve me right to have the house fall down. (_Pointing to the house._) There it has stood waiting for me every evening as far back as I can remember.

I have seen the windows flaming in the sun. I have seen them wet with rain. I have seen them white with frost. I've been with it ever since I was a child. I have climbed on the roof as I climbed on my father's shoulders. When I stood on the ridge, it seemed it had lifted me up to let me see better. No, Jorunn, even if I knew the earthquake to be coming, I should go home. Nor is it any wonder that I long to get into my own bed. I am old now, and I have waked up there almost every morning of my life. I have gone to bed so tired and worn that I could barely stand on my feet and have waked up young and strong. I have been ill and have lain there watching the sunbeams flitting across the floor.

[_Sveinungi walks homeward._

_Jorunn._

Are you going home? (_Following him hurriedly._) Whatever happens, your fate shall be mine.

_Sveinungi (stops and looks back)._

Do you hear that? She is not afraid, my wife.

[_Sveinungi and Jorunn walk homeward._

_Ljot._

How can you do it, father? (_Walks a few steps away from the others and remains standing there._)

_Jakobina._

G.o.d be with you, Jorunn, and with you, Sveinungi. You have been good to me, these nineteen years. [_Goes into the tent._

(_Silence._)

_Helgi._

There, they went in.

_Bjrg._

Yes, they are in there now.

_Jon._

I think we had better go and lie down, since there is nothing we can do.

_Indridi._

No, we can do nothing.

_Thora._

It will be a long night.

_Rannveig._

Poor Ljot!

[_The Servants walk slowly into the tent._

(_Einar and Ljot remain. Silence._)

_Einar (goes to Ljot)._

I wish I could make you happy as easily now as when you were a little girl.

_Ljot (struggling with her tears)._

Father does not care for me at all. He does not think of me for a moment.

_Einar._

Your father cares for you, no doubt of that, but he is beside himself with the earthquake.

_Ljot._

You don't know what I am talking about. (_In sudden fear._) If only something dreadful does not happen!

_Einar._

We must trust to the Lord to keep us all. Won't you too try to lie down?

_Ljot._

I can't sleep.