Ljot (rising). Then you have no daughter.
Sølvi. I knew you would not fail me!
Jorunn. You had better give your consent, Sveinungi, since it cannot be otherwise. I cannot do without my only child.
Sveinungi (goes to Ljot). You are quite free, Ljot; I will not try to force you, but when you have thought it over, you will not leave your father and mother for the sake of a stranger. You are my only child, and you have been the light of my eyes since you were a little tot. When I came home from work I was never too tired to listen to what you had to say. When you stroked my cheek it was like warm summer rain falling on my face. It will be lonely and empty here if you go. You cannot do it.
Ljot. Father, it is you who drive me away.
Sveinungi. You must listen to me. It has always been my intention that you should take the farm, and yesterday when you promised to marry Halfdan it seemed to me that all my wishes had been fulfilled. I was happy, and not only for your sake, but fully as much for the farm. Yet you would leave it now in the midst of misfortune. Look about you! Not a single building is standing. Can you let your old father sit here alone and forsaken? You might as well kill your father. And for whom should I build it up again if you are not to have it? It might as well be left to rot on the ground.
Ljot. You don't know, father, how much I care for him. I used to dream often that the mountains fell so that I could see the land beyond. To-night it seemed to me that the mountains fell.
Sveinungi. You are a wilful girl. (To Sølvi.) Could you think of taking over my farm, perhaps?
Sølvi. I could not—
Sveinungi (interrupting). Do you two believe that you can cow me? (Pointing to the ruins.) There is a chest of drawers in there that Ljot keeps her clothes in. I will have nothing of hers in my house. (To Sølvi.) Will you go in there with me and bring it out?