_Jon._

I will. [_Exit._

_Sveinungi._

Where are they?

_Jorunn._

They are out on the _hraun_.

_Enter Bjrg, carrying a blanket._

_Bjrg._

Here is the blanket.

_Sveinungi._

Why did they go out there? (_Takes the blanket, goes to the chest, and runs his hand over it._) Here it's been bruised. (_Throws the blanket over it._) I did not think you would have all this to go through.

(_Takes a long breath._) It is pretty hard when one has grown as old as I am to see one's work destroyed.

_Jorunn._

That is true.

_Sveinungi._

My only comfort is that I shall have a capable man to help me put up the buildings again. (_Gazing over the "hraun."_) What can it be that is keeping Ljot out there? Has she been gone long?

_Rannveig._

I don't know.

_Sveinungi._

I hope she has not gone down into one of the fissures. One can't tell what may happen. The walls might cave in, or they might close overhead.

_Enter Indridi from the direction of the tent._

_Indridi._

Einar and Ljot are coming now. We could see them from the tent.

_Sveinungi._

Are they coming? (_Goes toward the background._) Yes, Ljot has seen us; she is running.

_Jorunn._

She must have thought we were buried under the ruins.

_Sveinungi (looking)._

There is a third person with them. Who can it be?

_Rannveig._

So there is.

_Indridi._

I believe it's Slvi.

_Sveinungi._

What business has he out there at night?

_Indridi._

It's hard to tell!

_Sveinungi._

I do hope that Ljot has not been talking to that fellow.

_Enter Helgi from the direction of the tent._

(_Silence._)

_Enter Ljot, running._

_Ljot (puts her arms around her mother)._

I was so frightened!

_Jorunn._

Were you frightened? You are quite out of breath with running.

_Sveinungi (smiling)._

And have you no greeting for your father?

_Ljot._

Dear, dear father! (_Embraces him._)