Arnes. I'll hold my peace.
Enter Halla, carrying a pail of water. The pail is of plaited willow twigs chinked with clay. With the other hand she leads a little girl about three years old. Halla is dressed in a white jerkin and black skirt, both of knitted wool. She wears her silver girdle around her waist. The child has on white knitted clothes. They are bare-headed, and their foot-wear is the same as that worn by the men.
Halla. Did you have good luck to-day?
Kari (dolefully). We have caught nothing but trouble and weariness. The ptarmigans made themselves scarce to-day. We saw a flock of six, but they flew away before we could get our snares out.
Halla (to Arnes). Is it true, what he says?
Arnes. It's true enough. We saw six ptarmigans, but they got away from us.
Halla. I am sorry. We must hope for better luck next time.
Kari (laughing). I fooled you that time! (Runs toward the hut.) Look here! Five big, fat ptarmigans!
Halla. Well, well!
Kari (holding up the swan). And that's all.