I will!

_Kari._

Will you take upon yourself half of my guilt and become an outcast like me?

_Halla (exultantly)._

I will!

_Kari._

Will you face hunger and cold and all terrors for my sake?

_Halla._

Have you not always known that I would go with you? Could you believe me so low that I would keep you here with this dread hanging over you, if I had not meant to go with you? Every night I thought: To-morrow he will ask if you will go with him.

_Kari._

How beautiful you are! All the days we have had together live in your face!

_Halla._

Did you believe I could rest satisfied in thinking of you with the mountains between us? Then you don't know me yet. I will live! I will sail with you in your white ships!

_Enter Bjrn._

_Bjrn._

Good day to you, Halla. I looked for you at the fold. It is a long time since we two neighbors have met.

_Halla (confused)._

Yes, it is a long time.

_Bjrn._

Who sees to it that your sheep are taken out of the fold? Your cots seem to be standing empty.

_Halla._

Kari attends to that.

_Bjrn._

Then it is time you sent him about his work.

_Kari._

Perhaps the bailiff has come to lend a hand?

_Bjrn (to Halla)._

I should like to have a few words with you.

_Halla._

We were just starting for the fold. Perhaps we could have our talk on the way up.

_Bjrn._

If it is the same to you, I prefer to stay here. It is a matter of some weight, which I do not care to discuss in the presence of your overseer or any one but yourself.

_Halla (to Kari)._

Then you had better go up to the fold.

_Kari._

Don't forget to ask the bailiff if it is true that he has been rubbing his knee-joints with fat every night the whole summer through.

[_Exit._

_Bjrn._

He's bold enough, that fellow. It is well we shall soon be rid of him.

_Halla (roused)._

And what was it you wanted to see me about?

_Bjrn._

We were both somewhat angry when we met last. Shall we let it be forgotten?

_Halla (relieved)._

I thought perhaps you had got your letter from the southland with the proofs that you had been wrong in your suspicions.

_Bjrn._

Everything in good time. Did you say anything to him?

_Halla._

I told you I wouldn't.

_Bjrn._