Halla. It must have been Arnes.
Bjørn. Is he spending the night here?
Halla. Yes.
Bjørn. It is no concern of mine, but I doubt if my late brother would have sheltered men of his kind, and yet he had the name of being hospitable. (Takes a snuff-box from his pocket.)
Halla (sitting down). I know nothing wrong of Arnes, and I do know that he is grateful for what I can offer him.
Bjørn. I thought you had heard the common talk. His record is not of the best, I am sorry to say. I have been told that little things are apt to be missing where he has made his stay.
Halla. I would rather bear such a loss in silence than perhaps throw suspicion on an innocent man.
Bjørn. Finely thought! Yet some one must be the first to warn the unwary. (Takes snuff.) You must hear what happened to me not long ago. The boy lost two milch sheep up in the hills. I was vexed that it should occur so early in the summer when they still had their wool, and therefore I sent one of my men to look for them. Near Red Peak he found tracks of the sheep and also the footprints of a large man. (Lowering his voice.) You could do me a good turn if you would give Arnes a pair of new shoes; I should pay for them, of course. He will not suspect anything, if you do it. Then you keep his old shoes for me.
Halla (rising). No, I will have nothing to do with that.
Bjørn. Then we shan't speak of it any more. I think I shall find out what I am after, nevertheless. (He is silent.)