SOLDIER. Enough! I know....
[Begins to weep, with his hands to his face.
KERSTI'S MOTHER. [Entering from the rear] Have you found the crown?
SHERIFF. No, no!
MOTHER. Oh!
She looks hard at KERSTI, who is holding out her hands to meet the handcuffs, which BRITA puts on her.
MOTHER. [Screaming] Oh!
Snatching up a pair of shears, she cuts off KERSTI'S hair and throws it to BRITA, who catches it and sniffs at it as if enjoying its odour. The MOTHER then strips her daughter of the veil and other bridal ornaments. At last she throws a shawl over her head.
MATS. [Entering from the rear, stops in front of KERSTI and looks at her in surprise] Who is that?
BRITA. Look well!