Ingolf.  Yes, she knows I am very fond of your ships.

Little Skuli.  Then I’ll make ships for you often. [Runs out,
Ingolf and Hadda still laughing.]

Ingolf.  What was it you were going to tell me before?

Hadda Padda.  Something that ...

Ingolf.  That ..?

Hadda Padda.  That ...

Ingolf.  Are you teasing me?

Rannveig [enters from the back, knitting, sits down].  What a lovely day it is.

Hadda Padda.  Veiga, dear, you promised to darn my lilac stockings for me.  I haven’t any to wear to-morrow.

Rannveig [considering].  How about the yellow ones?

Hadda Padda.  Oh, Runa must have taken them; I couldn’t find them.

Rannveig [gets up].  Well, I can’t let you go barefooted. [Goes out.]

Ingolf.  You are shrewd, Hadda Padda!—­Now, tell it to me.

Hadda Padda.  First, kiss me!

Ingolf [kisses her].

Hadda Padda.  Do you think you will miss me very much when you are gone?

Ingolf.  How can you ask?

Rannveig [enters from the back, with the stockings in her hand].  I knew as much.  I was right.—­[Sees them embracing.]—­I might have saved myself the trouble of looking for the stockings. [Turns round, and goes out.]

Hadda Padda.  Ingolf!

Ingolf.  Yes—­

Hadda Padda.  Now listen:—­

The judge [enters from the back].

Ingolf [looks impatiently at his watch, and walks toward the door on the right.]

The judge.  Are you going out, Ingolf?

Ingolf.  I’m just going up to my room.  I have a letter to answer. [Goes out.]

The judge.  Well, my dear, to-morrow is the great day.  Hadda Padda. 
How good you are, father, to make me feel your gladness as you do.

The judge [takes her to his side, and sits down with her].  You happy child!  I can’t believe that you are grown up.  It is as if I were beginning to realise it now, for the first time.  But still, I shall have you one year more.

Hadda Padda.  Father!

The judge.  Yes, dear.

Hadda Padda.  Father. ...!

The judge.  What is the matter, dear?

Hadda Padda.  There is something I want to ask you.

The judge.  And that is?

Hadda Padda.  I want to ask you—­[Stops abruptly.]

Lady Anna [enters from the back].

The judge [to Hadda].  What did you want to ask me? [Smiles to his wife.] Something mother may not hear?