LILJEKRONA. Yes, I remember.
RUSTER. Shall I copy them?
LILJEKRONA. No--I can play these from the book.
RUSTER. This is a poor transcription. It should be written in D instead
of F.
LILJEKRONA. Well, I can transpose it.
RUSTER. I have not copied the words for the “Folksong.” Do you want it
done?
LILJEKRONA. No, it will do as it is.
RUSTER. Well then, it is finished. (_Half-heartedly._) I suppose I must
be going. (_Glances toward the window._)
LILJEKRONA. (_Indifferently_) You had better stay where you are over
Christmas.
RUSTER. (_Catching the note in_ LILJEKRONA’S _voice, and with
indignant pride_.) What do you mean, Liljekrona, shall I stay here
because I have nowhere else to go? Why, only think how they are
standing and waiting for me in the big ironworks in the parish of
Bro. The guest-room will be already in order and the glass of welcome
filled. I must hurry. I only do not know to whom I should go first.
LILJEKRONA. Very well, you may go if you will.
RUSTER. (_Emphatically_) Yes, I must go--at once.
(_Enter_ TORSTEIN _with logs for the fire_.)
OLGA. If you wish, Torstein will drive you down. Are the horses still
harnessed, Torstein?
TORSTEIN. Yes, Ma’am.
OLGA. Then bring the sledge around.
RUSTER. And bring it at once. I have only to get my treasures and I am
ready. (_Picks up his music pen and exits upstairs._)
TORSTEIN. He’s not going to stay over Christmas?
OLGA. You must hurry back, Torstein. The snow is getting deep.
(_Exit_ TORSTEIN. LILJEKRONA _looks over the music sheets on
table, and takes money from his pocket_.)
OLGA. You will slip in something for Christmas?
LILJEKRONA. Of course.
OLGA. (_Taking down fur coat and warming it_) Will you lend him your
big coat? Torstein can bring it back. (_After a pause._) As long as he
wishes to go himself, it is as well to let him.
(_Enter_ RUSTER _with his belongings tied up in a blue-striped
cotton handkerchief, and his flute under his arm_.)
LILJEKRONA. (_Meeting him and giving him what he has earned_) That is
always poor payment for art, Ruster, but it may serve you, somehow.
RUSTER. (_Dazedly_) Yes.
OLGA. Will you put on this coat, Ruster? (_Helping him into coat._) You
must keep warm, and watch that your hands and face are well covered.
And tell Torstein where to take you in Bro.
RUSTER. (_Shaking himself together and going toward door_) I’ll
be there in time for a glass of punch and the Christmas tree at
Erickson’s--or Oscar’s--or----
(LILJEKRONA _opens the door for him and he goes out slowly_.)
OLGA. (_Calling after him_) A happy Christmas to you!
LILJEKRONA. (_Faintly_) Good luck, Ruster.
RUSTER. (_Dully, from without_) Good-bye.
(LILJEKRONA _closes the door and they look out the window until
the sleighbells jingle off_. OLGA _turns back to the room_.)
OLGA. Now as soon as the boughs are up, we shall be ready for our
Christmas tree. Don’t you think some holly would be nice for the table,
Liljekrona? (_As_ LILJEKRONA _does not answer, she stoops and picks up
sprigs of holly from the pile of branches, then goes to the kitchen
door and calls_.) Children, what are you doing? Come and bring your
play in here. (_She arranges the holly in a brass bowl on the long
table._ LILJEKRONA _begins to put the boughs up over the door_.)
(_Enter_ OSWALD, _carrying with great care a board with some
dough on it, and_ SIGURD _running ahead with his fingers covered
with dough_.)
SIGURD. (_Running to_ LILJEKRONA) Father! See my fat dough fingers.
LILJEKRONA. What are you making, Sigurd?
OSWALD. Christmas things for Halla to bake.
SIGURD. Then they will be brown and we can eat them just like the round
cookies. See, Mother.
OSWALD. Only these aren’t round cookies, Mother. (_Sits down on the
floor with the dough._)
SIGURD. No. There is a Christmas tree.
OSWALD. And I made a star.