MATS. Yes, let's look!
All disappear by the rear door, leaving KERSTI alone on the stage. She seats herself on the same chair as before. In the meantime the stage has gradually been darkened.
The water-wheel begins to turn.
NECK. [Appears in the wheel with his harp, and sings]
"Stilled are the waters, dark grows the sky:
Dark grows the sky.
Once in the world of the ages I lived,
Blessed by the sun.
Gone is the light,
Conquered by night.
Deep is my sin,
Black as the tarn.
Joy there is none;
Plenty of woe.
Torture and Shame must I name my abode:
O!"
When the NECK begins to sing, the trap-door flies open right at the feet of KERSTI, and the MEWLER appears as before.
At first KERSTI stares at the apparition with horror. Then she seizes it and presses it to her breast.
The NECK stops his song and disappears. Instead the voice of a child (the MOCKER) is heard from the opening in the floor.
MOCKER. Cold is the river; warm is my mother's bosom. Nothing you gave me in life: in death I take what is mine!
KERSTI. [Who has been rocking the MEWLER on her arm, puts a hand to her breast as if feeling acute pain] Oh, help! Save me!
MIDWIFE. [Trips in fussily] Here I am! Here I am! Mustn't take on like that! [She takes the MEWLER from KERSTI and drops it through the hole in the floor] I know how to handle little ones! I help them into the world and out of it.... And I got to the wedding after all!
BRITA has in the meantime appeared where the fiddlers were seated before, and she has seen the MIDWIFE hide something under the floor.
MIDWIFE. The Neck was also asked, I understand. Did he come?