Modern Icelandic Plays Part 19

I might have known that, since he is still here. Do you think I am beginning to look old?

_Halla (amazed)._

To me you look as you have always looked. (_Watches him keenly._)

_Bjrn._

I admit you were right in some of the things you said to me when we met last, but we all have our failings, and since my mother died I have had no one who dared to speak plainly to me except you.

_Halla._

You may not often have wished to listen to others.

_Bjrn._

Perhaps you are right, but somehow there must be two different souls in every one of us.

_Halla._

Have you had a good hay crop this summer?

_Bjrn._

Fairly good. At least I have enough for myself. Don't you understand what I want to say to you, or don't you want to understand?

_Halla._

You said that it was a matter of weight. That is all I know.

_Bjrn._

I am not skilled in fine words. Could you think of becoming my wife?

(_Halla laughs. Bjrn flushes._) Is that so laughable?

_Halla._

You can't be in earnest.

_Bjrn._

In dead earnest. I shall soon be forty-eight years old, but you are not a child any longer either, and we are of equal standing. If we two marry and make our farms into one, I think we should have to look outside of this parish for a finer property.

_Halla._

So we two should marry in order to join our farms?

_Bjrn._

I will not deny that I should like to see the boundary line gone between the two farms, but that is not the reason why I have made up my mind to ask you to marry me. It is not good for a man to be alone, and you are the only woman in this parish whom I could think of taking for a wife.

You are healthy and strong of body, and you are good-looking. What answer do you give?

_Halla._

I must have some time to think it over. This comes upon me unawares.

Within three days you shall have my answer. Are you satisfied with that?

_Bjrn._

I think it is but natural that you should want some time to make up your mind, and all the more as we have not always been the best of friends.

Perhaps you will now more readily understand why I did not wish you to have a thief as overseer of your farm, and I am sorry to say that my distrust was well founded. (_Pulls from his pocket a letter with a large seal._) This letter came yesterday.

_Halla (holding out her hand)._

May I see it?

_Bjrn._

It is an official letter, which I do not like to give out of my hands, but I am not afraid to trust you with it. (_Halla takes the letter; reads._) I can lend you one of my men to drive your sheep home this evening, for you will have to do without your overseer. It is lucky that the judge is here to-day.

_Halla._

I shall keep this letter.

_Bjrn._

I can understand a joke.

_Halla._

Kari has been with me for more than a year. He has been a hard worker and an able man. I will not have any one lay hands on him so long as he is in my service. I want to give him a chance to get away. That is what you yourself advised, three months ago.

_Bjrn._

At that time the case was very different. There was no proof of his guilt then.

_Halla (putting her hand to her forehead)._

I can't believe yet that he is a thief. (_Hands the letter to Bjrn._) Bjrn, I beg of you to show me a great favor. You must let this matter rest, till we get home.

_Bjrn._

In that I cannot serve you.

_Halla._

Perhaps I can do something for you in return.

_Bjrn._