Kari. Quite sure. If they had, they would have come closer.
Halla. Just think if they had seen smoke and told about it down in the parish!
Kari. They have done nothing of the kind; for if they had, they would have been up here with many men long ago. Ah, the water is boiling.
(Halla lifts the kettle from the fire and pours water over the herbs.)
Kari. Your tea will soon be giving out.
Halla. Yes, I must take a day and gather enough for the winter. I will go down to the Sun Valley. Nowhere else are the herbs so fine.
(They drink their tea.)
Kari. Don't forget to lay in a store of herbs for your salve. You know how troublesome a little scratch can be, when the cold gets into it. You kept the honey I found?
Halla. I did.
Kari. That is good for wounds, too. And you must gather cotton grass for lamp wicks. (Goes to Tota and gives her tea.) Tota must have a taste, too.