Modern Icelandic Plays - novelonlinefull.com
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Indeed it would, but you have tried the loneliness before. Was it not two years you had been alone before you met us?
_Arnes._
Two and a half.
_Kari (pleased)._
Do you know what we'll do? We'll hide the swan and say that we've come home empty-handed. (_Takes the swan._) Hand me the ptarmigans. (_Hides them behind the hut._) Now I wish Halla would come soon. (_Walks to the back and blows his horn._)
_Halla (is heard answering)._
h.e.l.lo!
_Kari._
Here she comes.
_Arnes._
You are a happy mortal.
_Kari._
Yes, I am happy, and it is good to be here. We are free. We have enough to eat. We have sunshine, water, and shelter. What more do you want?
(_Arnes is silent._) I know you are brooding over something you don't want to tell me. You seem more gloomy every day. Are you longing to get away from here?
_Arnes._
Don't let us talk about such things to-day.
_Kari._
Perhaps it would do you good to unburden yourself to me or, better still, to Halla. She is wiser than I am, and she cares a good deal for you, I tell you.
_Arnes._
There are not many like Halla.
_Kari (hastily)._
We won't tell Halla about the mist. It might frighten her.
_Arnes._
I'll hold my peace.
_Enter Halla, carrying a pail of water. The pail is of plaited willow twigs c.h.i.n.ked with clay. With the other hand she leads a little girl about three years old. Halla is dressed in a white jerkin and black skirt, both of knitted wool. She wears her silver girdle around her waist. The child has on white knitted clothes. They are bare-headed, and their foot-wear is the same as that worn by the men._
_Halla._
Did you have good luck to-day?
_Kari (dolefully)._
We have caught nothing but trouble and weariness. The ptarmigans made themselves scarce to-day. We saw a flock of six, but they flew away before we could get our snares out.
_Halla (to Arnes)._
Is it true, what he says?
_Arnes._
It's true enough. We saw six ptarmigans, but they got away from us.
_Halla._
I am sorry. We must hope for better luck next time.
_Kari (laughing)._
I fooled you that time! (_Runs toward the hut._) Look here! Five big, fat ptarmigans!
_Halla._
Well, well!
_Kari (holding up the swan)._
And that's all.
_Halla._
What a lovely surprise! How did you catch it?
_Kari._
I ran it down.
_Arnes._
I don't believe there are many who can beat him at that. I know I can't.
_Tota._
May Tota pat it?
_Halla._
Tota may do anything she wants to. I should like to make you a jacket of swan's down.
