Halla (rising). Arnes went out on the sands. He will be back in about an hour. He has made up his mind to start on a trip to the southland to-morrow.
Kari. I knew he was longing to get away from here. I only hope he will not come to harm!
Halla (goes to him). If he should never come back, we two should be alone, as we were in the old days. (Takes his hands.) Do you care a little for me yet?
Kari. You know I do.
Halla. I feel that I need to hear you say it.
Kari (holding her hands). And I show it far too seldom. I forget. You must tell me when there is anything you want me to do. (Kisses her; releases her hands.) Are you sorry that Arnes is going?
Halla. You never saw the queer little brook I found once. It welled out from a moss-covered hillock and ran in a ring. Where it flowed the banks were green, but elsewhere there was nothing but sand. Its whole course was no longer than what I could walk in thirty steps. It seems to me that life is like that stream.
Enter Arnes, running.
Arnes (in a whisper). They're coming!
Kari (terrified). What?