Modern Icelandic Plays Part 9

_Bjrn._

The man would not swear that he had seen right. (_Smiles._) Somehow he seemed sorry that he had told me. He said he had never seen two people more alike, and Eyvind had a scar on his forehead just as Kari has-- that much he remembered plainly.

_Halla._

It was last Sunday at church that he saw Kari?

_Bjrn._

Yes.

_Halla (laughing)._

Kari was not at church last Sunday.

_Bjrn._

That's queer. Two of my men were there. But we can easily solve that riddle, if I bring my guest over here to-morrow.

_Halla._

I don't believe for a moment that Kari is a thief.

_Bjrn._

You need not believe it. Simply tell him what I have said, and that I mean to have the judge look into the matter. I warrant he will be out of the house before sunrise.

_Halla._

You are quick to believe evil and quick to run to the judge, but in this case you will not reap much honor.

_Bjrn._

If you suppose I shall act hastily, you are mistaken. I shall write to the county that Eyvind hails from and give the letter to my guest, who will see that it gets safely and speedily into the proper hands. The answer can be here within two or three months.

_Halla._

Is it out of kindness to me that you are so eager about this matter?

_Bjrn._

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 pa.s.sion, as you called it, without any marriage.

_Bjrn._

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.

_Bjrn._

What are you saying?

_Halla._

Did that p.r.i.c.k your soul, you G.o.dly 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._)

_Bjrn (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.

_Bjrn._

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.

_Bjrn._

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.

_Bjrn._

I will fight him whenever and wherever he may wish-- anywhere but in jail. Good-bye! [_Exit._

_Halla (stands motionless for a moment; pa.s.ses her hands down over her face; goes to the door; calls)._

Gudfinna! Gudfinna! (_Goes back into the room; again pa.s.ses her hands down over her face._)

_Enter Gudfinna._