Liljekrona. How is it that you forgot on this day, of all days? Do old customs mean nothing to you? Or is it the heartlessness of those who shut their eyes to the meaning of old beliefs? At Ekeby no one ever forgot!
Olga. (Disturbed) No, my dear, we are not heartless. The sheaves shall be put out as soon as Torstein returns. Come, shall we have our punch and cakes? Children, are you hungry?
Oswald. I am.
Sigurd. I want a cookie from my plate.
Liljekrona. And there are no candles in the windows. Nothing is done as it used to be. (He seats himself on the wooden bench.)
Olga. Oh, why—why, I had intended to light the candles. (Goes to mantel.) Come, children, before you have your cookies will you help Mother? (She takes from the shelf above the fireplace two wooden frames, in each of which is set a row of candles. She lights them and gives one to each of the boys.) Careful. Put them on the windowsills.
Oswald. I want mine in this window. You put yours over there, Sigurd.
Olga. Halla, take the punch to the table by the fire. (Olga seats herself near Liljekrona.) Come, children. (Oswald and Sigurd come to her side.) Sigurd, do you know why we put candles in the windows on Christmas Eve?
Oswald. So that people can see where we live!
Olga. Yes—dear; and there is a story that the little Christ-Child goes about on Christmas Eve looking for a welcome. (She pours some punch for Liljekrona, who is looking intently at her.)