Modern Icelandic Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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(_The Servants rise._)
_Jon._
I believe the worst is over and that we shall be let off with the fright.
_Indridi._
I hope so.
_Bjrg._
You can never tell. Remember what happened the time when more than three-score farm-houses fell in one night.
_Thora._
It must have been dreadful.
_Sveinungi._
Now you must all go into the tent.
[_The Servants go in._
_Jakobina._
I shouldn't wonder if something dreadful were to happen to the farm.
[_Goes into the tent._
(_Sveinungi stands quite still a little while, then walks a few steps, pauses, takes a few more steps, and again stops._)
_Enter Ljot from the tent._
_Ljot._
Are you not coming, father? Mother told me to ask you to come in.
_Sveinungi._
Why doesn't she lie down? She need not wait for me.
_Ljot._
We are so frightened, father-- all of us.
_Enter Jorunn from the tent._
_Jorunn._
It's getting cold.
_Ljot._
Yes, it is cold.
_Jorunn._
The sun has set.
_Sveinungi._
Why are you coming out again, Jorunn? Can't you sleep?
_Jorunn._
No, I can't sleep.
_Sveinungi._
Do you remember the night you thought I was lost in the snowstorm?
A light was burning in the upper window. To see it was better than meeting a human being, and when the dogs began to bark behind the door, it was just as if the house itself were speaking-- calling out its joy.
It sounded better to me than a human voice, and when I stepped into the hall, the darkness seemed to put its arms around me. Never have I had so sweet a welcome, not even when my daughter was a little child.
_Jorunn._
Ought we not to go in, Sveinungi? It's getting late. You too must go in now, Ljot.
_Ljot._
I am only waiting for father.
_Jorunn._
Do you hear that, Sveinungi? Ljot is waiting for you, and the servants can't sleep either before you go in.
_Sveinungi._
I am not going to stay in the tent to-night. I am going home.
_Jorunn._
You don't mean that!
_Ljot._
But, father dear!
_Sveinungi._
I won't let any foolish fear drive me out of my house, and it is nothing but a foolish fear. The earthquake will not come so suddenly but that I shall have time to get out. It's impossible. Besides, the _badstofa_ will hold. It's well built, though it's old.
