_The Farm Hand._
There is a sheep with earmarks that n.o.body can make out. Will you come over and take a look at it?
_Arnes (rising)._
No peace to be had!
_Halla (holding out her hand to Arnes)._
Thanks for the story. [_Arnes takes Halla's hand. Exit._
_The Farm Hand (to Jon)._
Your brown bell-wether ran away from the men as they were trying to drive it in.
_Jon (rising)._
That promises a fine fall. (_All the peasants rise._)
_Jon's Wife_ (_to Halla_). We shall see each other later.
_Halla._
So we shall. [_Exeunt peasants._
_Gudfinna._
They have not been sparing of the shark's meat. (_Packs it away._)
_Enter Kari, warm from running, happy and smiling._
_Kari._
Good day to you, Halla! (_Shakes hands with her._)
_Halla (has gone to meet Kari)._
Good day to you, and welcome back!
_Arngrim (rising)._
Now I am so drunk that I can enjoy listening to the bleating of the sheep. By the way, washing with lukewarm milk is good for freckles.
[_Exit._
_Halla._
Thanks! (_To Gudfinna._) You may go now, if you like. You have been here with the luggage long enough.
[_Exit Gudfinna._
(_Halla and Kari stand silent until Gudfinna has disappeared.
Then Kari draws her to him and kisses her._)
_Halla._
I would rather wait for you here than meet you at the fold. I was so frightened! I thought you had gone and would never come back. (_Takes his hand and looks at him in loving wonder._) Where do you get your courage? I can't understand that you have not fled long ago.
_Kari._
I will tell you where I get my courage. (_Kisses her._) I don't know how the days can be so gloriously long. It seems to me that I have lived more than the age of man since the first time you kissed me.
_Halla._
You love me!
_Kari (is silent for a moment)._
I love you.
_Halla._
You don't know how much that one word promises me. It means the sunshine on the hills. It means the streams and lakes. Shall I tell you something, Kari? Something you don't know?
_Kari._
What could that be?
_Halla._
I am not going to say it just now, but I will tell you something else.
I care a thousand times more for you now than I did three months ago.
Do you know why?
_Kari._
No.
_Halla._
Because you are so brave. You sleep in my arms as calmly as if you had not a foe in the whole country.
_Kari (smiling)._
I must have borrowed your courage.
_Halla._
It is dear to see you smile. Your hair is like a cloud, and when you smile it seems to lift from your forehead.