Halla. It is too light yet to be talking about thieves. Can't you tell us something funny?
Jon's Wife. Tell about our calf.
Jon (laughing). When he saw the sun for the first time in his life, he fell down on his tail from fright.
Enter Arnes, somewhat intoxicated.
Jon. There comes the man who can tell us stories. (Rises and goes to meet him.)
Arnes. Good day to you all! So you want a story?
Jon. You shall have a drink if you tell us a story, but it must be a good one.
Arnes. Hand me the bottle. (Drinks.) I could tell you some spook stories that would make your hair stand on end, but they are better told in the gloaming. (Laughs.) The girls are less afraid of us men folks when they hear about spooks.
Jon (laughing). Yes, of two evils men are better than spooks.
Arnes (sees Halla). Now I know what I shall tell you. Hush! Once upon a time there were two outlaws. What their crime had been I don't know, but they had to flee to the hills to save their lives. They found a green spot among the glaciers, hemmed in by huge rocks. There they built their hut, for there they knew they would be left in peace. But the hills were hankering for their old loneliness and hated those two, and swore they would drive them away. First they sent the storms and the frost. There came a winter night so terrible that the roots of the grass trembled with fear under the snow, but unknown to those two their love had built an invisible wall around the hut, and the storm and the snow could not get in. Then the hills sent hunger. It came to them in their dreams, tempting them with sweet-smelling hot bread and butter fresh from the churn. It would have them barter their love—