Part 58
_Sveinungi._
You were glad when you saw us?
_Ljot._
I was so glad that I don't know yet what I am saying. I was afraid you had been caught under the ruins. I thought that was to be my punishment.
_Sveinungi (stroking her hair)._
Have you done anything you should be punished for?
_Ljot (taking his hand)._
Be fond of me, father! Be very, very fond of me!
_Enter Einar and Slvi._
_Einar._
Thank G.o.d, you are safe! Then you had time to get out?
_Jorunn._
No, we were in there.
_Ljot._
Were you in there? (_Goes to the ruins._) How weird it looks!
_Sveinungi (goes to the ruins)._
It is only the one post that holds it all. If that had snapped, you would never have laid eyes on us again.
_Einar (looks into the ruins)._
It's a miracle it didn't break.
_Jorunn._
Yes, if it had not been G.o.d's will, we should not be here now.
_Einar (turns from the ruins)._
It was not any too cheerful out on the _hraun_ either. The place seemed suddenly to have become alive.
_Sveinungi._
What in the world made you go out there?
_Einar._
There was a flock of ducks flying over the _hraun_, and I wanted to try a shot at them.
_Sveinungi (to Ljot)._
And why did you go with him?
_Ljot._
I was not with him. Slvi and I stayed behind.
_Sveinungi._
Do you sit alone with a stranger in the middle of the night? (_To Slvi._) And you, why are you here at this time? I will not have you go hunting on my land without asking my leave.
_Slvi._
I was not hunting on your land.
_Sveinungi._
But you are picking up stones, and I forbid you to take as much as a single pebble from my land. Now you know that.
_Ljot._
Why do you say that, father?
_Sveinungi._
You can go into the tent, Ljot. You have nothing to do here.
_Ljot._
I have something to say to you.
_Sveinungi._
What is it? (_Ljot is silent. To the Servants._) You can go. To-morrow I shall have a talk with you, Einar, which you will remember.
_Einar._
It was not my fault.
_Sveinungi (to the Servants)._
Go! What are you waiting for? [_Exeunt Servants._
_Sveinungi (to Ljot)._
