(The following summer. A drawing-room in the Sheriff's house. The furniture old-fashioned and elaborate. On the left, a door leading to the dining-room. Against the wall, in front, a piano. On the right, under a window, a chaise-longue. In the back, an open window, through which can be seen green meadows, rising to a plateau, over the edge of which roars a water-fall. At the horizon, deep blue mountains. Bright sunshine, a hot summer's day.)
(In the middle of the room, around a table, set for coffee, the Sheriff and Lady Margaret, Olof and Steindor, Ingolf, Hrafnhild and Kristrun are sitting. The children, Little Skuli, Sigga, Doddi and Magga are seated at a small table near the window.)
OLOF [to the children]. You may go out now, children.
THE CHILDREN [rise].
SIGGA [To Olof]. Mother, when may we go berry-picking with Hadda Padda?
HADDA PADDA [smiles at the children]. We'll go next Sunday.
OLOF. Now go out and play! It's such lovely weather!
STEINDOR. And you may build your little play-house, but not in the part that isn't mowed.
SKULI. Come along, children!
DODDI. Come along! [The children go out.]