Modern Icelandic Plays | Page 9

me that you are so eager about this matter?
Bjørn.

If it is true what people say, it would be best for you that Kari should
take himself away from here as fast as can be. You might find it harder
to part from him two or three months hence.
Halla (icily).
Now you show your real self. You did not come here to give me kind
counsel, nor do I look for such from you, but you had better leave me
and my household in peace. Do you think I have forgotten what you did
to me? When your brother told you that he intended to marry me, you
thought it would be a disgrace to the family for him to make a poor
servant girl his wife. You urged him to satisfy his fleeting passion, as
you called it, without any marriage.
Bjørn.
I never said that.
Halla (laying her hand on her heart).
In here I have a sealed book in which I keep the words my friends have
spoken. And I have more to tell you. There was something behind it--
your fear of losing a part of your power.
Bjørn.
What are you saying?
Halla.
Did that prick your soul, you godly man! You knew that your brother
would follow your advice like a child, but you had misgivings that you
could not work me like dough in your hands, and what you feared came
true. You can never forget that I made my husband stand on his own
feet. I know your greed for power! But now I warn you for all time to
let me and mine alone. (Sits down.)
Bjørn (flushed with anger, but still controlling his voice).

Much have I learned to-night that I did not know before. Now I see
why you made Kari overseer. You are not your mother's daughter for
nothing.
Halla (her lips trembling).
You want to make me angry. You can't do it. Nor shall you succeed in
blackening Kari in my eyes. You were hoping that I should hurt him by
telling him what you have said. I shall not tell him.
Bjørn.
You will talk differently when I hold the proof in my hand. (Shakes his
hand; goes toward the door.)
Halla (rising, hatred burning in her eyes).
Just before you came, the servants were making bets about who was
best at glima, you or Kari. Oddny was the only one who stood up for
you. Kari thought you had grown so old and stiff in your joints that you
would not dare to go in for a wrestling-match.
Bjørn.
Tell Kari that I am ready to meet him this evening, if he wishes it.
Halla.
No, I shall tell Kari that you have given your word to wrestle with him
at the big sheep-folds in the fall. I hope to have a good many witnesses,
when the bailiff bites the dust.
Bjørn.
I will fight him whenever and wherever he may wish-- anywhere but in
jail. Good-bye! [Exit.
Halla (stands motionless for a moment; passes her hands down over
her face; goes to the door; calls).

Gudfinna! Gudfinna! (Goes back into the room; again passes her
hands down over her face.)
Enter Gudfinna.
Gudfinna.
Has the bailiff gone?
Halla.
Yes.
Gudfinna.
He came near upsetting me in the hall and didn't even say good
evening.
Halla.
Do sweep the floor! I won't have in here the dirt he has dragged with
him.
(Gudfinna takes a bird's wing and sweeps.)
Enter the Boy.
The Boy (shouting).
Come and see what we have caught!
Gudfinna.
Not so noisy! Did you catch a whale?
The Boy.
We got a salmon-- so big! (Shows the size with his hands.)

Halla.
Tell Kari to come here; I want to speak with him. I will let you take
care of the salmon. Open and clean it, sprinkle some salt on it, and lay
it in fresh grass overnight.
The Boy.
Won't you look at it before it is cut?
Halla (patting his cheek).
You big baby! Do you think I have never seen a salmon before? Now
run and tell Kari that I want to speak to him.
[Exit the Boy.
Gudfinna (calling after him through the door).
And tell him to lift the milk pot from the fire.
Halla.
If the coals are good, I must ask you to do some baking to-night for
Sunday.
Gudfinna.
The coals are good enough. [Exit.
(Halla stands listening. Footsteps are heard in the hall.)
Enter Kari.
Kari.
You wanted to speak to me?
Halla.

I hear you have made a fine catch. Thank you! I have promised the
bailiff that you shall meet him in a glima at the folds in the autumn.
What do you say to that?
Kari.
I call that great news, but