[She wanders about a little, stops by the doorway and looks into the garret.

Hialmar.

Tell me, what is he doing?

Hedvig.

I think he’s making a new path to the water-trough.

Hialmar.

He can never manage that by himself! And here am I doomed to sit——!

Hedvig.

[Goes to him.] Let me take the brush, father; I can do it, quite well.

Hialmar.