KERSTI. What child?
MOTHER. Yours!
KERSTI. There is no such thing!
MOTHER. Will you swear?
KERSTI. I swear! May the Neck get me if I lie!
MOTHER. You shouldn't swear by the evil one.
KERSTI. I will swear by no one else!
MOTHER. [Seating herself] There is talk in the village.
KERSTI. Indeed?
MOTHER. A queer sort of talk.