Modern Icelandic Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_Halla (stands up)._
I don't want your help. (_Takes hold of the skin._) Let go!
_Arnes (gives it up reluctantly)._
Are you angry?
_Halla_ (_takes the skin out of the horn-ring and throws it into the hut_). You are not so sorely needed as you think you are. (_Sits down again to her work._)
_Arnes._
I did not mean that. It makes me happy when I can do some little thing for you. Won't you let me finish it?
_Halla._
You shall not touch it.
_Arnes (stands for a moment, puzzled)._
Will you not forgive me what I said? I cannot bear to have you angry with me.
_Halla._
I am not angry.
_Arnes._
When you were ill, I once brought you some green leaves that had come up through the snow. Then you gave me a kiss.
_Halla._
Did I? (_Smiles; kisses him lightly on the cheek._) Have you peace in your soul now?
_Arnes._
I don't know. I believe I shall never have peace in my soul any more.
(_They are silent._)
_Halla._
You were good to me the time I was ill.
_Arnes._
I am not good to anybody. I am wicked.
_Halla._
You are not.
_Arnes._
Even with you I sometimes feel that I could hurt you.
_Halla._
We can all be ugly when we are tired and hungry.
_Arnes._
Will you let me kiss your mouth? Just once?
_Halla (rising)._
No.
_Arnes._
Your lips will suffer no harm from it. (_Takes hold of her shoulders and tries to draw her to him._)
_Halla (tears herself away from him)._
Have you gone mad?
_Arnes._
You have been true to Kari for seven years now. It is time you tired of it.
_Halla._
Now your face looks like the bailiff's when he called me a harlot.
(_Gives him a box on the ear._)
_Arnes (furiously)._
I know you better than you think. You are so pure! You have never done an evil deed!
_Halla._
What do you mean?
_Arnes._
Kari is more open-mouthed than you think. You have had a child before this one.
(_Halla s.h.i.+elds her face with her hands as though warding off a blow. Arnes sits silent._)
