Modern Icelandic Plays Part 54

_Ljot._

I hardly think I dare to.

_Slvi._

You could take Einar with you. It is not much more than an hour's ride, and I have a number of things I should like to show you,-- petrified tree-trunks that I have dug out of the earth, in which you can see plainly every bud and shoot, and stone slabs with impressions of flowers and leaves that lived thousands of years ago. Should you like to see them?

_Ljot._

I should like it ever so much.

_Slvi._

I have some rocks, too, baked by fire and furrowed by ice. If you knew all the tales they tell me! They lay bare to me things that are hidden from every one else.

(_A whirring of wings is heard far away._)

_Einar (stands up, pointing with his finger)._

Look, there is a flock of ducks flying over the _hraun_. (_Stands gazing._)

_Slvi (in a low voice)._

It made me so happy to see you. This evening, when the sun was setting, I reached out toward it. I did the same when I saw you.

_Einar._

They're flying unusually low. There they alight-- I'll get my gun.

_Slvi (rising)._

I'll lend you mine. (_Hands him the gun._) It will carry a distance of a hundred and thirty feet.

_Einar._

What size shot have you?

_Slvi._

Duck-shot.

_Einar._

Ljot, you don't mind, do you? I shall not be gone long. If they rise, I'm not going after them. [_Exit._

(_Ljot rises._)

_Slvi (goes to her)._

My star must be in the heavens to-night.

_Ljot._

You must not think that I was sitting up so late because I was waiting for you-- I saw you walking over the _hraun_-- but we shan't talk about that.

_Slvi._

Shall I tell you why I came home from abroad? It was for your sake.

_Ljot (sits down)._

That is not true.

_Slvi (sits down)._

One night, the last winter I was away, I must have been dreaming, but it seemed to me that I was awake. I had come back home and was walking on the _hraun_. The _hraun_ was covered with ashes. As I walked, I suddenly fell into a deep cleft and kept on falling and falling. At last I found myself lying on the bottom, unable to stir. Death came and sucked the life out of my eyes and held it in her hand like a tiny flame. Suddenly a woman stood beside me dressed in moss. She pleaded for me so long that death gave her my life. She looked like you. It was you. Don't you know that you hold my life in your hands?

(_They rise._)

_Ljot._

I think I shall go in. It is hard to tell when Einar will be back. When he is out hunting he forgets everything.

_Slvi._

I love you, Ljot! You have not been out of my thoughts since the first time I saw you. Everything reminds me of you-- the sun, the sky--

_Ljot._

I too have been happy in seeing you and talking with you. (_Stands still as death._) This morning, right after you had gone, my father told me that on his way home from town he had seen his old friend,-- and my father wanted me to promise myself to the son of his old friend, but I would not, because I was thinking of you. Then my mother came and talked to me-- and I gave in. I could not do anything else.

_Slvi._

Why did I not speak before! You won't feel hurt at what I say, Ljot? You must not let your parents decide your life. That is for you to do.

_Ljot._

You don't know my father. If he thought I was standing here talking to you, I can't tell what he would do.

_Slvi._

I am convinced your parents have but one wish, and that is for your happiness.

_Ljot._

I don't know. My mother does not say much about happiness; she does her duty-- and I know mine. (_Turns toward the tent._)

_Slvi._