KERSTI. Welcome, then—if you'll only leave me now!
MIDWIFE. [Withdrawing backwards]
"Four that whirl and twirl;
Eight that hurl and purl;
Four that flip-flap in a row;
Four that question where to go."[2]
[She disappears.
MATS. [Is heard singing triumphantly outside; see musical appendix, Melody No. 13] "Come, cosset, cosset, cosset; come, cosset, cosset!"
As KERSTI hears him a happy look comes into her face, and she seems to swell with pride and new courage. MATS enters, with an armful of wood, looking joyful.
KERSTI. [Going to meet him] Did you see anybody?
MATS. I did!—Now for the wedding! [He dumps the wood into the hut] Let the kettle boil over—I am boiling, too.
KERSTI. Was it your father?
MATS. Father and mother. And I get the mill!