ÅSE. [_Eagerly._] No, but he can ride through the air on a buck, though! THE MOTHER. Christ, are you mad? THE FATHER. Why, what do you mean? ÅSE. Never a deed is too great for him. You shall see, if only he lives so long—— THE FATHER. Best if you saw him on the gallows hanging. ÅSE. [_Shrieks._] Oh, cross of Christ! THE FATHER. In the hangman’s hands, It may be his heart would be turned to repentance. ÅSE. [_Bewildered._] Oh, you’ll soon talk me out of my senses! We must find him! THE FATHER. To rescue his soul. ÅSE. And his body! If he’s stuck in the swamp, we must drag him out; If he’s taken by trolls, we must ring the bells for him. THE FATHER. H’m!—Here’s a sheep path—— ÅSE. The Lord will repay you Your guidance and help! THE FATHER. It’s a Christian’s duty. ÅSE. Then the others, fie! they are heathens all; There was never a one that would go with us—— THE FATHER. They knew him too well. ÅSE. He was too good for them! [_Wrings her hands._ And to think—and to think that his life is at stake! THE FATHER. Here are tracks of a man. ÅSE. Then it’s here we must search! THE FATHER. We’ll scatter around on this side of our sæter.[46] [_He and his wife go on ahead._ SOLVEIG. [_To ÅSE._] Say on; tell me more. ÅSE. [_Drying her eyes._] Of my son, you mean? SOLVEIG. Yes;— Tell everything! ÅSE. [_Smiles and tosses her head._] Everything?—Soon you’d be tired! SOLVEIG. Sooner by far will you tire of the telling Than I of the hearing. SCENE THIRD.