Ljot. Maybe that was your doing.
Jorunn. How can you say such a thing to your mother!
Ljot. Don't be angry with me, mother.
Jorunn. A man who cannot bear his fate is not worth much. I should not have been happy as his wife, and I could not wish for a better man than your father. When two people live together a whole lifetime and have an honest will to do what is right by each other, they will come to care for each other, as the years go by. (Silence.) I have told you this so that you may think it over, but if you feel in your own heart that it is right to go against the wishes of your parents, then you will have to do so. (Ljot is silent.) You say nothing, my child? I have tried as best I could, in my poor way, to do what seemed my duty. I cannot give my daughter any other or better advice. When the hour of sorrow comes, as it must come to you too, there is nothing else that can bring you peace.
Ljot. I will do as you wish.
Jorunn. I always knew that I had a good daughter. (Strokes her hair.) How glad your father will be! This will be a great day for him, and you will never regret that you did as your parents wished. Goes in.
(Ljot stands alone.)
Enter Einar and Frida from the house.
Einar (to Frida). You can start the bellows. I hope the fire has not gone out. They go into the smithy.
Enter Helgi from the house. He goes into the smithy and comes out again with a turf-spade in his hand.