MATS. [Is heard singing outside] "Kersti dear, is baby asleep?"
BRITA. "Far in the forest!" Fie on you! [She goes out.
MATS. [Enters, looking very happy] "Far, far, in the forest!" [He comes up behind KERSTI and puts his hands over her eyes] Guess who it is!
KERSTI. Oh, you hurt me!
MATS. [Taking hold of the garter which is still about the neck of KERSTI] What kind of necklace is this?
KERSTI. Let go!
MATS. [Pulling playfully at the garter] Now I have you! Now you are my prisoner, my dove, my goat that I bought for a groat! [He leads her about by the garter] My little white kid! My little pet cow! [Singing] "Come, cosset, cosset, cosset! Come, cosset, cosset!"
KERSTI. Yes, you can be happy, Mats!
MATS. I am, and guess why?
KERSTI. Can't any longer!