Modern Icelandic Plays | Page 5

Last Sunday at church some one
asked me if there was anything between the widow and the "overseer."
Gudfinna.
And what did you say?
Oddny.
I told them that it was quite possible Halla had her lines out for him,
but that I did not think Kari would swallow the fly, even if it had gold
on its wings.
Gudfinna.
Much good it did you, the gospel you heard in church! I am sorry for
you, poor girl! You are crazy about a man who has neither eye nor ear
for you, but that is no reason why you should be running around
spreading gossip. Halla is not the kind of woman that is fond of men.
There was never a harsh word between her and her husband, God rest
his soul, but there was not much love-making between them either. No,
indeed!
Oddny.
Well, what of that! He was a man up in years and had a fine farm.
Gudfinna.
He was an upright and honest man, and Halla made him a good wife,
my dear.
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.
Bjørn, 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!
Gudfinna (laughing).
There you got it!
(Everybody laughs except Oddny.)
Halla (smiling).

Yet many have fought for less.
Magnus.
I'm ready to make a wager with you, Oddny, that Kari would win.
Halla.
It does not look as if the cows were coming home to-night. Magnus,
won't you go up the gorge and see if they are there, and I will send the
boy down to the creek.
[Exit Sigrid with the wet stockings.
Magnus.
Oh, why did I bother to change my stockings!
Halla.
You can take a horse. (A dog is heard barking.) There! we shall have
company.
Kari (rising).
I'll run up there.
Halla.
You have your trout nets to look after. I know Magnus won't mind.
Magnus.
Confound those cows! Why can't they come home in time! (Puts on his
shoes.)
(Kari pulls out a small box from under the bed and begins to whittle
teeth for a rake.)

Arnes puts his head in at the door; he carries a large bag.
Arnes.
Good evening! I did not want to trouble any one to come to the outside
door. (Drops his bag on the floor.) Now Arnes is rich-- there's gold
sand in my bag.
Halla.
I dare say there is.
Arnes.
You people don't know what lies