_Halla._

Not that, but there will be means of help. We can dig up roots to still the worst hunger, and we can go to the lake for fish.

_Kari._

The snowstorm may last four or five days yet, and by that time we shall be dead from hunger.

_Halla._

How long shall you be gone?

_Kari._

Two days at the most.

_Halla (goes to him and touches his shoulder)._

I beg you to stay for my sake! We have lived together for sixteen years, and now let us also die together.

_Kari._

I know your way of hiding your will. Now it is your will that I should stay, but this time you are foiled.

_Halla._

You cared for me when I fled with you to the hills. You told me there was no one like me in all the world. You carried me across the streams, until I grew strong enough to ford them myself. You risked your life to get the things you knew I liked. Have you forgotten?

_Kari._

I have forgotten nothing.

_Halla._

And all the nights we slept with the heavens above us! Was it not blessed to feel the morning breeze over your face and to open your eyes and look into the blue sky? Then you kissed me and said that you loved me.

_Kari._

You shall not stop me from going.

_Halla (turns away from him)._

I know why I have this fear of being alone. It is because I am so far away from every living thing, and there's no sun and no stream here.

(_Turns toward him._) If we feel that we must die, you can close the smoke-hole, and I will fill the hut with smoke. We shall lie down side by side. (_Touches his hand._) I will take your hand, and we shall dream that we are going out into a sand-storm together.

_Kari (harshly)._

Now leave me in peace.

_Halla (in helpless fear)._

I will tell you the truth. I don't dare to be alone.

_Kari._

Are you afraid of the dark?

_Halla._

When you are gone, I know I shall begin to listen. I know what I shall hear.

_Kari._

What do you hear?

_Halla._

I hear the sound of a great heavy waterfall. I hear the screams of my child. You must not leave me.

_Kari (turns away)._

You spare me nothing; you make my going as hard as can be.

_Halla._

I forbid you to go! It's inhuman to leave me here alone. If you ever come back, you will find me a mad beast.

_Kari._

Now you shall keep still. I will not listen to your whining any longer.

_Halla._

You are like all the rest. When your will is set, you have no heart.

(_Sits down silently._)

_Kari_ (_fastens his foot-gear; ties a rope around his waist_). When I draw it tight enough, I don't feel that I am hungry. (_Puts on a coat of heavy fur._) You must watch the fire and not let it go out. I'll bring you some more f.a.ggots from the wood-shed.

_Halla (stands up; her voice is husky)._

Better kill me before you go. (_Bares her breast._) Stab me with your knife-- right here! I won't scream. (_Shuts her eyes._) I shall think I am nursing my child, and the little teeth are biting my breast.

_Kari._

Have you gone mad?

_Halla._

You haven't the heart, but you have the heart to let me sit here all alone. A wretched little train-oil lamp you would put out before you went; you could not bear to let it burn over nothing. (_Sits down._)