MATS. Be careful about baby—be careful now!

[He goes out.

KERSTI. Of course, of course!

MOTHER. [Entering from the left] Was it Anna that was here?

KERSTI. It was.

MOTHER. [Looking hard at KERSTI] And she left when I came?—What a voice she has!

KERSTI. Yes, has she not?

MOTHER. And she cut the wedding poles, too, and spread the spruce?

KERSTI. What is strange about that?

MOTHER. [Pulling KERSTI by the hair] Storyteller, hussy, strumpet....