Chapter VI: Act I

_The farm. Five white gables, all adjoining and separated by heavy partitions. The roof is covered with turf, the walls are of earth and stone. The gable farthest to the left is without a door, but has two windows on the ground floor and a smaller window above. The next has a door leading into the "badstofa" or servants' quarters. The third is a dairy and storehouse; the fourth, a smithy; the fifth, a drying-shed. In the yard is a horse-block; to the left, a picket fence. Before the doors lie the packs unloaded from nine horses: two green chests, sacks of grain and household stuff, lumber, and a number of other articles. Jakobina stands feeling one of the sacks. Helgi is undoing the strappings. The door to the smithy is open. Einar is seen within, forging horseshoe nails._

_It is morning, before breakfast._

_Jakobina (talking half to herself)._

This must be coffee. (_Lays her hand on one of the chests._) And what has Jorunn got in these, I wonder! I fancy there are many pretty things there.

_Helgi._

You may be sure of that.

_Jakobina._

Nineteen years I've been here now, and it's never happened yet that the mistress has forgotten to bring something or other to please me when she came back from town,-- and it wasn't always little things either, God bless her! Oh, but there they have knocked off the paint. What a shame! (_Sits down on the chest and runs her hand over the paint._)

_Enter Bjørg and Rannveig from the left, carrying pails
full of milk, which they set down._

_Rannveig._

They brought home quite a bit. We shall not go hungry for a while yet. Where are they?

_Helgi._

They are inside, drinking coffee.

_Bjørg._

Is Jon drunk?

_Helgi._

Not so very; he's just a little gay.

_The Shepherd Boy._

Are you through milking already?

_Bjørg._

Can't you see for yourself?

_The Shepherd Boy._

Oh, pshaw! (_His eyes light on the lumber piles. He bends down and begins to count the knots in the wood._) One, two, three--

_Enter Sveinungi from the "badstofa."_

_Sveinungi._

What do you say, girls? Quite a pack, isn't it?

_Bjørg._

I should say so!

_Sveinungi (to Helgi)._

You've begun to undo the strappings? That's fine. And here come the others.

_Enter Jon and Indridi from the house. Jon is somewhat
intoxicated._

_Jon._

Here stands our dear master. Good day to you, Rannveig! Good day!

_Bjørg and Rannveig._

Good day, and welcome home!

_Sveinungi (laughing)._

Why don't you put your arms around the girls and give them a kiss? Are you afraid?

_Jon._

No, Jon isn't afraid.

_Sveinungi._

You didn't get anything with your coffee. [_Runs into the house._

_Jon._

He is the same as ever.

[_Bjørg 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 glass,
which he fills._

_Sveinungi._

Here, this is for you.

_Jon (drinks)._

Thanks.

_Sveinungi (fills the glass 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.

_Bjørg._

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.

_Sveinungi._

Rannveig, will you bring me the key to the drying-shed? You know where it hangs. (_Rannveig runs in._) You boys will have to carry the breadstuffs up into the loft of the storehouse, and the coffee and sugar too, and while I think of it, you had better take one sack out to the mill, Helgi.

_Helgi._

I will.

_Sveinungi (opening a bag)._

Here, Einar, you'll find iron and nails and brazil-wood, and here's something for yourself. (_Hands him a plug of tobacco._) See if you can be a bit saving of it.

_Einar (pats him on the shoulder)._

God bless you!

[_Goes into the smithy._

_Rannveig (comes out)._

Here is the key.

_Sveinungi_ (_unlocks the door to the drying-shed_). You can stack the timber on top of the old pile. After you have had your breakfast, you, Jon, and Indridi had better go and lie down. You must be tired.

_Jon._

I am sure I could keep on working all day if need be, and just as hard as those who have had their sleep. (_Indridi comes for the other chest._)

_Sveinungi (laughs)._

There are not many like you.

_Jorunn._

Where is Ljot? I thought she was here.

_Helgi._

I saw her walking in the yard. I have not seen her come back.

_Sveinungi (goes to the picket fence; calls)._

Ljot!

_Ljot (is heard answering)._

Yes!

_Sveinungi._

Are you there? Aren't you coming home?

_Ljot (is heard answering)._

I am coming.

_Jorunn._

Have you set the milk?

_Rannveig._

Yes.

_Jorunn._

Then come in, if you want to see what I have bought.

_Einar_ (_steps out into the door of the smithy. He holds a snuff-box in his hand, and is rolling up a long plug of tobacco, which he puts into the box_). This tastes better; the old stuff was getting as dry as hay. (_Spits._) Oh, well, there was a time, but that's so long ago.

_Helgi._

What are you talking about?

_Einar._

It was a winter night, and I was lying in wait for the fox. Well, what happened was neither more nor less than this, that when I wanted to take a chew of tobacco, I found I'd left the box at home. I can stand it for one night, I thought, but it was cold where I was lying, and the fox made himself scarce. Let me tell you, when I had been waiting till nearly dawn, I'd gladly have given my soul for a good honest chew.

(_Ljot passes through from the right, carrying some freshly
gathered flowers in her hand. Goes into the house._)

_Helgi._

And did you get the fox?

_Einar._

I did. It came just as I was about to go home.

_Enter Indridi from the house._

_Jon._

When you got home, I'm sure you went straight for a good big plug of tobacco.

_Einar._

Maybe I did! It was the finest blue fox I've ever shot.

_Enter Frida from the left. She is warm from running._

_Frida._

Now I've turned the horses out on the grass. (_Wipes her forehead._) Do you want me to pull the bellows for you?

_Einar._

You'd better go in and see if Jorunn should happen to have something for you. Then you can come back here. [_Frida runs in._

_Enter Bjørg and Rannveig from the house._

_Bjørg._

See what the mistress has brought for me! (_Holding up a piece of cloth._) It will be fun to make that into an apron.

_Rannveig._

I got a head-kerchief with red flowers (_holds it up_) and a piece of soap. (_Smells it._)

_Jon._

May I? (_Smells it._) You'll be good to kiss, when you have washed with that soap.

_Rannveig._

Only I won't let you.

_Thora (in the doorway)._

I must show you what I got, too.

_Enter Sølvi from the left, carrying a gun over his shoulder
and a small knapsack on his back._

_Sølvi._

Good day to you!

_The Servants._

Good day!

_Indridi._

We did not see you coming.

_Sølvi._

I took the short cut. May I have something to drink? I am thirsty.

_Rannveig._

I'll get it for you.

_Sølvi (lowering his voice)._

And may I see Ljot for a moment? I have something for her.

_Rannveig._

I'll tell her. [_Exeunt Girls._

_Indridi._

Have you any news?

_Sølvi._

No.

_Indridi._

You are still at Hol?

_Sølvi._

Yes.

_Indridi._

Have they begun to cut the hay?

_Sølvi._

Not yet.

_Indridi._

They generally start before any of the other farms.

_Sølvi._

They need to. They don't keep much help.

_Enter Rannveig with the milk._

_Rannveig._

Here it is, and you are welcome to it.

_Sølvi (drinks)._

Thanks.

_Rannveig._

I have told Ljot. [_Goes in._

_Helgi._

Here, give me a hand! (_Indridi lifts the sack to Helgi's back; Helgi carries it out to the left._)

_Jon (coiling the last ropes)._

We can start carrying the lumber into the shed.

_Enter Ljot from the house._

_Sølvi._

Good day to you, Ljot!

_Ljot._

Good day! You wished to see me?

_Sølvi._

You won't be angry with me?-- I thought perhaps you would like this. (_Takes the skin of a duck from his knapsack._) I shot it on the creek the other day, and I thought it was so pretty that I took off the skin and dried it. Do you think you could make use of it-- say for a riding-cap?

_Ljot._

It is beautiful.

_Sølvi._

When you hold the wing this way the spot is blue, and when you hold it so it is green; it's the way the light falls.

_Ljot._

I doubt if I dare take it. I scarcely know you.

_Sølvi._

You would make me very happy if you would take it.

_Ljot._

Then I will, and thank you. (_Gives him her hand._) How lovely it is!

_Sølvi (lowering his voice)._

Do you never go for a walk by yourself in the _hraun_?

_Ljot._

Why do you ask?

_Sølvi._

You know the pretty spot by the old roan tree; it is not more than a good ten minutes' walk from here. I thought perhaps you might go there sometimes on Sundays.

_Ljot (blushes)._

I don't know--

_Sølvi._

I shall be there all day Sunday. Good-bye, Ljot.

_Ljot (confused)._

Good-bye.

_Sølvi._

I shall be there at sunrise, and I shall be there when the sun goes down. [_Exit to the left._

_Enter Sveinungi, hurriedly._

_Sveinungi._

Who was it that went just now?

_Indridi._

Is he gone? It was Sølvi.

_Sveinungi._

What did he want here?

_Indridi._

He got a cup of milk.

_Sveinungi (to Ljot)._

It seemed to me he was talking to you. What have you there?

_Ljot._

He gave me a bird's skin.

_Sveinungi._

Pshaw! You should have made him keep it himself.

_Ljot._

There was no harm meant.

_Sveinungi._

Einar could have brought you down one just like it, if you had cared for it. Why are you blushing so?

_Ljot._

I did not think you would be so angry because I took the bird's skin.

_Sveinungi._

I can't bear him, that stone-picker! He roves from place to place like a tramp. Let him dare to set his nets for you! Give me the creature, and I'll hand it back to him next time he comes; for he's sure to come.

_Ljot._

I can burn it myself, if you grudge me the keeping it. [_Goes in._

_Sveinungi (talking in the doorway)._

And then you get angry to boot. (_To Indridi._) I see you have undone all the strappings.

_Indridi._

Yes.

_Sveinungi._

Where is Helgi?

_Indridi._

He went to the mill.

_Enter Helgi from the left._

_Sveinungi._

There he comes. Then you can do what I told you. [_Goes in._

_Helgi._

Anything amiss? The master seemed cross.

_Indridi._

That's nothing.

_Helgi._

Is Sølvi gone?

_Indridi._

Yes. Let's get through with this. You go into the storehouse and take the things as I hand them to you.

[_They carry the breadstuffs into the storehouse._

_Einar appears in the door of the smithy._

_Einar._

H'm, I feel I'm getting old. There was a time when I could forge three nails in one heating, and now it's a hard rub getting through with one.

_Indridi._

We can't be young more than once.

_Einar._

And we can't cast the slough of old age, as they could once upon a time.

_Indridi._

Would you care to?

_Einar._

I don't know. I almost think these new times are not for me.

_Enter Frida._

_Frida._

Einar, I was to call you to breakfast. (_Runs against Sveinungi, who is coming out._)

_Sveinungi._

There, there! Why, you have brought it all under cover and the ropes in the shed. That's fine. Now, Helgi, when you have eaten, you can go and begin to cut turf. The others will join you when they have had their sleep. (_Lowering his voice._) Einar, will you ask Ljot to come out? I want to have a little talk with her.

_Einar._

I will. [_Einar and Frida go in._

(_Sveinungi locks the drying-shed and looks into the storehouse,
pretending to be very busy._)

_Enter Ljot from the house._

_Ljot._

Here I am, father.

_Sveinungi._

I did not hear you. (_Smiles._) You step as lightly as a young foal. You are not hurt at what I said a moment ago? It was only for your own good. I won't have any shiftless straggler around here making eyes at you. The parish can gossip about something else. (_Ljot goes to the fence, resting her hands on it._) But that was not what I wanted to talk to you about. (_Goes to her._) You know Arne, the farmer at Skrida. You have seen his son Halfdan. What do you think of him?

_Ljot._

I have seen him only a few times.

_Sveinungi._

There are two brothers. The older one is married and is going to take the farm, but Halfdan is most like his father. You should see the way their place is kept. Their yard is nearly as big as this, and there are long stretches where the grass stands so high that it falls over. It's as fine a sight as I have ever seen. We stopped there, Jorunn and I, for a full hour, on our way back from town, and there was no lack of welcome. Can you guess what we talked about?

_Ljot._

No.

_Sveinungi (laughs)._

You can't? Arne asked me whether I would have his son Halfdan for a son-in-law.

_Ljot._

And what did you say?

_Sveinungi._

I said I had nothing against it-- quite the contrary. I should be content if you had a husband like him, and we are getting old, your mother and I. We don't know when death may strike us. It may come at any time, and I should like to see the man who is to take my place when I am gone.

_Ljot._

I don't think you are getting old.

_Sveinungi._

Oh, yes, I feel it. Sometimes when I want to use this or that for my work I find that I have clean forgotten where I put it. That could never have happened when I was young; there was not a thing that slipped my mind. But what do you say, Ljot? Your mother thinks as I do, so it lies solely with you whether you will accept this happiness or not.

_Ljot._

I don't think I care for that happiness.

_Sveinungi._

You should weigh your words well before you speak. Perhaps you fancy there will be a wooer like Halfdan coming every day. But you don't mean that; you only mean that he must come and speak for himself.

_Ljot._

I am so young, father.

_Sveinungi._

You are past nineteen. There are many girls who marry at seventeen, and you have been so well taught that you can readily take your place at the head of a household. I need not be ashamed of you there, that's sure. And you will have your mother near you, for it is understood, of course, that you and Halfdan stay here with us. You will have your bridal now in the fall, and next spring you can take over the farm.

_Ljot._

But I scarcely know him at all!

_Sveinungi._

Your mother did not know me, and I can't see but that we two have lived happily together all these years. It is not always those who marry for what they call love who are happiest. Arne and I are friends from old times, and I have as good as given him my word.

_Enter Jorunn from the house._

_Ljot (straightening herself)._

You should not have done that without speaking to me.

_Sveinungi._

What has come over you? Do you mean to go right against the will of your parents? I can tell you one thing, if it is this tramp you are thinking of, it shall never come to pass. Not as long as I live. [_Goes in._

_Jorunn._

Your father was angry. What were you talking about?

_Ljot._

He wants me to marry a man I don't know.

_Jorunn._

Does he? You cannot say of Halfdan that he is a man you don't know.

_Ljot._

We have never spoken a word to each other.

_Jorunn._

Yet he has been here several times. Once he stayed overnight. Besides you have heard him spoken of, and you know his people. Everybody knows the Hofstad people.

_Ljot._

Father has given his word without asking me. He had no right to do that.

_Jorunn._

You have worked yourself up, Ljot. I don't understand you. Can it really be that you have promised yourself to some one without letting your parents know it?

_Ljot._

I have not.

_Jorunn._

You need not hide anything from me. If you have given your word, you must keep it.

_Ljot._

I told you that I have not.

_Jorunn._

You could not tell your old mother a falsehood! But if you are free and not bound by any promise, this puzzles me. Halfdan is young and a capable man, and his father is one of the richest and most respected farmers in the countryside.

_Ljot._

But I don't care for him. You can't mean that I should marry a man I don't care for. (_Leans over the fence._)

_Jorunn._

Once you are married you will come to care for him. (_Goes to her._) It is a great step you are about to take. Weigh your words well, so that you may not rue them. Be careful not to thrust away happiness when she reaches out her hand to you, or there may come a day when you will repent. You must know that your parents wish nothing but what is good for you.

_Ljot (with tears in her voice)._

It seems to me you are against me, both you and father.

_Jorunn (stroking her hair)._

I believe you are hiding something from your mother. I think I know what it is. You were very much pleased with the bird's skin you got to-day. (_Ljot is silent._) The winter your father asked me in marriage there came to my home a man who used to go from farm to farm doing odd carpenter jobs. One evening I carried his coffee to him where he was at work. He had a big chest standing there that he kept his tools in. I can remember it plainly; it was yellow. I stood waiting for him to finish his coffee so that I could take the cup back, when he took out of the chest a work-box-- the prettiest thing I've ever seen. It was of dark brown wood, the lid round, with pictures of animals carved on it. He made me a present of it, and when I was about to go, he asked me for a kiss, but I would not give it to him.

_Ljot._

You never told me about this.

_Jorunn._

He was a good-looking man, with big brown eyes. Well, when your father came, my father and mother both wanted me to become his wife. It was not altogether easy for me, but I would not go against their wishes. I thought it my duty to please them, and besides the other man had never asked me straight out.

_Ljot._

But he was the one you cared for.

_Jorunn._

Perhaps I thought so at the time. (_Silence._) He went away on the night he heard that I was promised to your father. A year after I married your father, he was drowned-- some thought he had taken his own life.

_Ljot._

Maybe that was your doing.

_Jorunn._

How can you say such a thing to your mother!

_Ljot._

Don't be angry with me, mother.

_Jorunn._

A man who cannot bear his fate is not worth much. I should not have been happy as his wife, and I could not wish for a better man than your father. When two people live together a whole lifetime and have an honest will to do what is right by each other, they will come to care for each other, as the years go by. (_Silence._) I have told you this so that you may think it over, but if you feel in your own heart that it is right to go against the wishes of your parents, then you will have to do so. (_Ljot is silent._) You say nothing, my child? I have tried as best I could, in my poor way, to do what seemed my duty. I cannot give my daughter any other or better advice. When the hour of sorrow comes, as it must come to you too, there is nothing else that can bring you peace.

_Ljot._

I will do as you wish.

_Jorunn._

I always knew that I had a good daughter. (_Strokes her hair._) How glad your father will be! This will be a great day for him, and you will never regret that you did as your parents wished. [_Goes in._

(_Ljot stands alone._)

_Enter Einar and Frida from the house._

_Einar (to Frida)._

You can start the bellows. I hope the fire has not gone out. [_They go into the smithy._

_Enter Helgi from the house. He goes into the smithy and
comes out again with a turf-spade in his hand._

_Einar (in the door)._

Shall you be home for dinner?

_Helgi._

No, the others will bring it to me. [_Exit to the left._

_Enter Sveinungi._

_Sveinungi._

Are you here? Won't you come in and talk to your father? (_Patting her shoulder._) This is the happiest day in my life since the time I got your mother. [_They go in._

_Enter Jakobina with a plate of chicken-feed in her hand;
goes to the door of the smithy._

_Jakobina._

Is Frida there? Can you spare her while she runs over to the chickens for me with their food?

_Einar._

Yes, indeed. [_Frida goes with the chicken-feed._

_Jakobina_ (_sits down on the horse-block_). I had such a queer dream last night. I thought I was standing out there in the yard, and I saw a giant come striding across the _hraun_. I saw him stop right there-- he stood with arms stretched out and bent down over the house.