Modern Icelandic Plays Part 59

Now, what is it you have to say to me?

_Slvi._

I have come here to ask for the hand of your daughter.

_Sveinungi._

Has not my daughter told you that she is betrothed?

_Ljot._

I have told him everything. I never cared for Halfdan-- you know that, father, and I will not be his wife.

_Jorunn._

Ljot, it has never happened yet that one of my kin has broken faith.

If you do it, you will be the first.

_Sveinungi._

And you have not reckoned with your father. It does not lie altogether with yourself to break your word. Do you think you can make a fool of me? (_To Slvi._) It does not make you my son-in-law that you have trifled with my daughter.

_Slvi._

It was no mere chance that we two found each other. Only for Ljot's sake have I stayed so long in these parts. I came here to-night to find out how you had fared; I could not help it.

_Sveinungi._

You feel proud that you have coaxed a young girl to break her word. You think yourself very brave, and you have taken advantage of her when she was beside herself with fear. You have come like a thief in the dead of night.

_Slvi._

I love your daughter. There is nothing wrong in that, and I am proud and happy that she has given me her heart.

_Sveinungi (to Ljot)._

So that is what you have done. I dare say you have met him before and more than once behind my back.

_Ljot._

Not once.

_Sveinungi._

And straightway you are ready to break your word. You knew that Halfdan's father is the best friend I have.

_Ljot._

You must forgive me, father!

_Sveinungi._

And you knew I had sent him word that everything was settled.

_Ljot (takes his hand)._

Do you remember, father, when I was so little that I had to put my arms around your knee? Then you never said no when I asked you for anything.

I am still your little girl.

_Sveinungi._

Let me go!

_Ljot._

You do care for me, father. I know of no one who has been so good to me as you. You have given me everything that I call my own. You must give me my happiness!

_Sveinungi._

Let go my hand!

_Jorunn._

I understand that Slvi is very dear to you, my child, but this comes upon us unawares, and it has been a terrible night for us all. (_To Slvi._) Could you not have waited before speaking to Sveinungi?

_Slvi._

I cannot help it that it has come in this way. I would have waited if I could.

_Jorunn._

I might perhaps have seen my way to put in a good word for you two. (_To Sveinungi._) You won't be hard on your daughter! If we had been lying under the ruins now, she would have had no need to ask us. To-night we must not be merciless.

_Sveinungi._

Who is this man? I don't know him, nor do I know his people.

_Slvi._

My father was a farmer like yourself. Had he been living, you two might have become friends.

_Sveinungi (interrupting)._

The only thing I know about you is that you go about picking up stones like the children.

_Slvi._

You speak slightingly of my stones, but the knowledge I gain from them can bring me more money than you ever made on your farm, and it can bring me fame.