Jorunn. I understand that Sølvi is very dear to you, my child, but this comes upon us unawares, and it has been a terrible night for us all. (To Sølvi.) Could you not have waited before speaking to Sveinungi?
Sølvi. I cannot help it that it has come in this way. I would have waited if I could.
Jorunn. I might perhaps have seen my way to put in a good word for you two. (To Sveinungi.) You won't be hard on your daughter! If we had been lying under the ruins now, she would have had no need to ask us. To-night we must not be merciless.
Sveinungi. Who is this man? I don't know him, nor do I know his people.
Sølvi. My father was a farmer like yourself. Had he been living, you two might have become friends.
Sveinungi (interrupting). The only thing I know about you is that you go about picking up stones like the children.
Sølvi. You speak slightingly of my stones, but the knowledge I gain from them can bring me more money than you ever made on your farm, and it can bring me fame.
Sveinungi. What kind of knowledge is that?
Sølvi. Those stones teach me to know my country and how it has been built by fire and water and ice. They give me an opportunity of finding out new links in laws that are eternal and mightier than all mankind.
Sveinungi. Indeed! Since you are so passing wise, you ought to have told me days ago that a great earthquake would come to-night. That I could have understood; but it seems that you knew as little there as the rest of us. I believe old Jakobina is wiser than you.