_Oddny._

Who doubts that? (_Silence._) I don't know what ails Kari of late.

Yesterday he flew into a rage when I asked him if he knew of a cure for freckles. I hope Halla has not become such a saint yet that one can't notice her freckles.

_Enter Kari and Magnus._

_Kari and Magnus._

Good evening!

_Gudfinna and Oddny._

Good evening!

_Oddny (rising)._

I am sitting on your bed, I believe.

_Magnus (throws off his cap)._

Oddny, ask Sigrid to come here and pull off my stockings. (_Sits down._) It feels good to sit down. [_Oddny goes reluctantly._

_Kari._

Why is she so grumpy? She is not so cheerful a body as you are. I should like to have known you in your young days. I dare say you knew how to handle a rake.

_Gudfinna (straightening her back)._

You may be sure. On dry ground, two lively fellows had all they could do to make ready for my rake.

_Kari._

And you were not afraid to tuck up your skirts, where the ground was low and marshy.

_Gudfinna._

Indeed not! Many a time I had water in my shoes.

_Enter Sigrid and Oddny._

_Magnus (stretching his feet out on the floor)._

Pull off my shoes! I'm so tired to-night I can't move.

_Sigrid._

It must be laziness that ails you, as usual. (_Kneels down._) How in the name of heaven did you manage to get so wet in this dry weather? I can wring the water out of your stockings.

_Magnus._

Kari wanted to jump the creek to make a short cut, and I fell in.

_Oddny (to Kari)._

Aren't you wet, too?

_Kari._

No. (_Sits down._)

_Magnus._

Kari skims over everything like a bird.

_Kari._

Every man has his gift. (_To Sigrid._) You should see the rocks Magnus can lift.

_Magnus._

Well, it may be true that I am pretty strong, but I should like to see the man who could throw you in an honest _glima_.

_Oddny._

I know one whom Kari couldn't stand against.

_Magnus._

And who is that? (_Sigrid pulls at his stockings._) There! There!

_Oddny._

Bjrn, Halla's brother-in-law.

_Magnus._

I should not be afraid to bet on Kari against him. (_To Sigrid._) Give me the stockings! (_Dries his feet with the stocking legs._)

(_Sigrid pulls out a chest, where she finds dry stockings._)

_Enter Halla._

_Oddny._

I don't think Kari would dare to try a fall with the bailiff.

_Kari._

If you were the prize, I should not dare to!