Modern Icelandic Plays - novelonlinefull.com
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_Jorunn._
Do you think the _badstofa_ will hold if there should come a big earthquake? You cannot mean that!
_Sveinungi._
It is not at all sure there will be another shock. It's only a fancy that the earthquake must needs keep on once it has begun. I believe it is over; I feel it. (_During the last speeches the Servants have been coming out of the tent._) What are you running out for? Go in, all of you.
_Jakobina._
I must tell master about the dream I had. It was last night. I thought I was standing out in the yard and saw a giant coming across the _hraun_.
He walked with long, unsteady strides (_she takes a few steps forward; her voice sounds distant and threatening_), and seemed to grope as if he were blind. Then I saw him standing right by the house-- with arms stretched out; he bent down over the farm and stood there like a stone cross. (_Makes the sign of the cross with her arms._)
_Sveinungi._
Did I ask you to tell me about your dream?
_Jorunn._
I beg of you, Sveinungi, that you do not stay at the house to-night.
It would be tempting G.o.d.
_Sveinungi._
It's rather He who is tempting me. If I ran away, it would serve me right to have the house fall down. (_Pointing to the house._) There it has stood waiting for me every evening as far back as I can remember.
I have seen the windows flaming in the sun. I have seen them wet with rain. I have seen them white with frost. I've been with it ever since I was a child. I have climbed on the roof as I climbed on my father's shoulders. When I stood on the ridge, it seemed it had lifted me up to let me see better. No, Jorunn, even if I knew the earthquake to be coming, I should go home. Nor is it any wonder that I long to get into my own bed. I am old now, and I have waked up there almost every morning of my life. I have gone to bed so tired and worn that I could barely stand on my feet and have waked up young and strong. I have been ill and have lain there watching the sunbeams flitting across the floor.
[_Sveinungi walks homeward._
_Jorunn._
Are you going home? (_Following him hurriedly._) Whatever happens, your fate shall be mine.
_Sveinungi (stops and looks back)._
Do you hear that? She is not afraid, my wife.
[_Sveinungi and Jorunn walk homeward._
_Ljot._
How can you do it, father? (_Walks a few steps away from the others and remains standing there._)
_Jakobina._
G.o.d be with you, Jorunn, and with you, Sveinungi. You have been good to me, these nineteen years. [_Goes into the tent._
(_Silence._)
_Helgi._
There, they went in.
_Bjrg._
Yes, they are in there now.
_Jon._
I think we had better go and lie down, since there is nothing we can do.
_Indridi._
No, we can do nothing.
_Thora._
It will be a long night.
_Rannveig._
Poor Ljot!
[_The Servants walk slowly into the tent._
(_Einar and Ljot remain. Silence._)
_Einar (goes to Ljot)._
I wish I could make you happy as easily now as when you were a little girl.
_Ljot (struggling with her tears)._
Father does not care for me at all. He does not think of me for a moment.
_Einar._
Your father cares for you, no doubt of that, but he is beside himself with the earthquake.
_Ljot._
You don't know what I am talking about. (_In sudden fear._) If only something dreadful does not happen!
_Einar._
We must trust to the Lord to keep us all. Won't you too try to lie down?
_Ljot._
I can't sleep.
