_Arnes._

I had many hiding-places. Once I stole some twenty-eight pounds of b.u.t.ter. I stuffed it down into a fissure in a rock.

_Kari._

That was pretty shrewd.

(_They are silent._)

_Halla._

Did you have a clear outlook from the mountain this afternoon?

_Kari._

Yes. There was a little mist far to the southward.

_Halla._

It was from the south that the cloud came in my dream.

_Kari._

You can never forget about that dream.

_Halla._

I counted fourteen men who came riding out of the cloud. (_Silent for a moment._) You are quite sure the two men whose tracks you saw a month ago did not get on our trail?

_Kari._

Quite sure. If they had, they would have come closer.

_Halla._

Just think if they had seen smoke and told about it down in the parish!

_Kari._

They have done nothing of the kind; for if they had, they would have been up here with many men long ago. Ah, the water is boiling.

(_Halla lifts the kettle from the fire and pours water over the herbs._)

_Kari._

Your tea will soon be giving out.

_Halla._

Yes, I must take a day and gather enough for the winter. I will go down to the Sun Valley. Nowhere else are the herbs so fine.

(_They drink their tea._)

_Kari._

Don't forget to lay in a store of herbs for your salve. You know how troublesome a little scratch can be, when the cold gets into it. You kept the honey I found?

_Halla._

I did.

_Kari._

That is good for wounds, too. And you must gather cotton gra.s.s for lamp wicks. (_Goes to Tota and gives her tea._) Tota must have a taste, too.

_Arnes (has been looking at Halla)._

Your hair was quite black before, but now there has come a sheen of red into it.

_Kari._

I have not noticed it, but your freckles are all gone, I have seen that.

(_Patting her cheek._) Are you going to give us more tea?

_Halla._

As much as you want.

_Kari_ (_rises and goes into the hut; returns with three wooden pipes and two pouches, one large and one small._) You need not be saving of the leaves, but the tobacco I shall have to dole out to you.

(_They fill their pipes._)

_Halla (smiling)._

It was foolish of you to teach me to smoke.

_Kari._

Why shouldn't you have that boon as well as I? (_Shakes his bag._) You need not be shy, I have more in the cave, and when winter sets in and the snow is fit for skiing, we'll take Arnes down to my brother's. He promised to lay in good stores of tobacco and salt, and I will pay him with wool, as I did last time.

_Halla._

If only you don't end by being caught on one of those journeys!

_Kari._

Never! (_They sit smoking in silence._) Now I am just in the mood to listen to a good story. Have you one to tell us?

_Arnes (rising)._