DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

SVEINUNGI, owner of the Hraun Farm.

JORUNN, his wife.

LJOT, their daughter.

EINAR, a relative of Jorunn.

JAKOBINA, an old woman.

FRIDA, a child, eleven years old.

SØLVI, a geologist.

JON

INDRIDI

HELGI

Servants.

RANNVEIG

BJØRG

THORA

A Shepherd Boy.

The action takes place in Iceland. Time, the Present. “Hraun” is the Icelandic word for lava-field.

ACT I

The farm. Five white gables, all adjoining and separated by heavy partitions. The roof is covered with turf, the walls are of earth and stone. The gable farthest to the left is without a door, but has two windows on the ground floor and a smaller window above. The next has a door leading into the "badstofa” or servants' quarters. The third is a dairy and storehouse; the fourth, a smithy; the fifth, a drying-shed. In the yard is a horse-block; to the left, a picket fence. Before the doors lie the packs unloaded from nine horses: two green chests, sacks of grain and household stuff, lumber, and a number of other articles. Jakobina stands feeling one of the sacks. Helgi is undoing the strappings. The door to the smithy is open. Einar is seen within, forging horseshoe nails.

It is morning, before breakfast.

Jakobina (talking half to herself). This must be coffee. (Lays her hand on one of the chests.) And what has Jorunn got in these, I wonder! I fancy there are many pretty things there. Helgi. You may be sure of that.

Jakobina. Nineteen years I've been here now, and it's never happened yet that the mistress has forgotten to bring something or other to please me when she came back from town, and it was n't always little things either, God bless her! Oh, but there they have knocked off the paint. What a shame! (Sits down on the chest and runs her hand over the paint.) Enter Bjørg and Rannveig from the left, carrying pails full of milk, which they set down.

Rannveig. They brought home quite a bit. We shall not go hungry for a while yet. Where are they? Helgi. They are inside, drinking coffee.

Bjørg. Is Jon drunk?

Helgi. Not so very; he 's just a little gay.

The Shepherd Boy. Are you through milking already? Bjørg. Can't you see for yourself?

The Shepherd Boy. Oh, pshaw! (His eyes light on the lumber piles. He bends down and begins to count the knots in the wood.) One, two, three

Enter Sveinungi from the "badstofa."

Sveinungi. What do you say, girls? Quite a pack, is n't it? Bjørg. I should say so!

Sveinungi (to Helgi). You've begun to undo the strappings? That's fine. And here come the others.

Enter Fon and Indridi from the house. Jon is somewhat intoxicated.

Jon. Here stands our dear master. Good day to you, Rannveig! Good day!

Bjørg and Rannveig. Good day, and welcome home! Sveinungi (laughing). Why don't you put your arms around the girls and give them a kiss? Are you afraid? Jon. No, Jon is n't afraid.

Sveinungi. You did n't get anything with your coffee. [Runs into the house.

Jon. He is the same as ever.

[Bjørg and Rannveig carry the milk into the storehouse.

Jakobina (rising). You did n't take notice of anything in particular on your way back?

Indridi. Not that I remember.

Jakobina. Did you see many birds?

Indridi. Come to think of it, I don't believe I saw any. Jakobina. That's what I thought. [Goes into the house.

Enter Sveinungi from the house with a flask and a glass, which

he fills.

Sveinungi. Here, this is for you.

Jon (drinks). Thanks.

Sveinungi (fills the glass again for Indridi and Helgi).Won't you take a drop too, Einar?

Einar appears in the doorway of the smithy.

Einar. Thank you. (Drinks.)

Sveinungi (sees the Shepherd Boy). Are you here? Why, the girls are all through milking. Do you suppose you can keep the sheep standing in the fold all day? (The Shepherd Boy is about to go.) Wait a minute! I have a little thing here that I bought for you yesterday. (Takes a knife from his vest pocket.) I think the blade is good iron, and that is the main thing. (Gives him the knife. The Shepherd Boy kisses him.) It is not much. You are welcome to it.

The Shepherd Boy (opens the knife). Look, Einar, it's a regular hunting-knife. (Closes it, runs to the left, calling.) Snati! Pila! Snati!

Rannveig. You need n't call the dogs. They are up at the fold. [Exit the Shepherd Boy. Sveinungi. That boy will amount to something in time. It's well done for one so young to tend more than fourscore sheep, and he hasn't lost one yet.

[Takes the flask back to the house. Jon. He's in mighty good humor to-day, the old man. Bjørg. I should say so.

Indridi. Why, he got the highest price for his wool. Jon. And a sorry day it would be when we didn't get that! Indridi. What do you think Jakobina had in mind when she asked about the birds?

Jon. It's hard to tell! She has her mind on so many things.

Enter Sveinungi and Jorunn from the house.

Sveinungi (in the door, laughing and talking). I believe the girls have their eye on the green chests. Indridi, will you carry them in? [Indridi goes with one of the chests.

Jorunn. You can put them in the little room.

Sveinungi. Rannveig, will you bring me the key to the drying-shed? You know where it hangs. (Rannveig runs in.) You boys will have to carry the breadstuffs up into the loft of the storehouse, and the coffee and sugar too, and while I think of it, you had better take one sack out to the mill, Helgi.

Helgi. I will.

Sveinungi (opening a bag). Here, Einar, you'll find iron and nails and brazil-wood, and here's something for yourself. (Hands him a plug of tobacco.) See if you can be a bit saving of it.

Einar (pats him on the shoulder). God bless you! [Goes into the smithy. Rannveig (comes out). Here is the key. Sveinungi (unlocks the door to the drying-shed). You can stack the timber on top of the old pile. After you have had your breakfast, you, Jon, and Indridi had better go and lie down. You must be tired.

Jon. I am sure I could keep on working all day if need be, and just as hard as those who have had their sleep. (Indridi comes for the other chest.)

Sveinungi (laughs). There are not many like you. Jorunn. Where is Ljot? I thought she was here. Helgi. I saw her walking in the yard. I have not seen her come back.