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.