ite it on the right, the lesser. In the middle of the
floor, a wood fire is burning on a built-up hearth. In the background,
on both sides of the door, are daises for the women of the household.
From each of the high-seats, a long table, with benches, stretches
backwards, parallel with the wall. It is dark outside; the fire
lights the room.)

(HIORDIS and DAGNY enter from the right.)

DAGNY. Nay, Hiordis, I cannot understand thee. Thou hast shown me
all the house; I know not what thing thou lackest, and all thou hast
is fair and goodly;--then why bemoan thy lot?

HIORDIS. Cage an eagle and it will bite at the wires, be they of
iron or of gold.

DAGNY. In one thing at least thou art richer than I; thou hast Egil,
thy little son.

HIORDIS. Better no child, than one born in shame.

DAGNY. In shame?

HIORDIS. Dost thou forgot thy father's saying? Egil is the son of
a leman; that was his word.

DAGNY. A word spoken in wrath--why wilt thou heed it?

HIORDIS. Nay, nay, Ornulf was right; Egil is weak; one can see he
is no freeborn child.

DAGNY. Hiordis, how canst thou----?

HIORDIS (unheeding). Thus is shame sucked into the blood, like the
venom of a snake-bite. Of another mettle are the freeborn sons of
mighty men. I have heard of a queen that took her son and sewed his
kirtle fast to his flesh, yet he never blinked an eye. (With a look
of cruelty.) Dagny, that will I try with Egil!

DAGNY (horrified). Hiordis, Hiordis!

HIORDIS (laughing). Ha-ha-ha! Dost thou think I meant my words?
(Changing her tone.) But, believe me or not as thou wilt, there are
times when such deeds seem to lure me; it must run in the blood,--
for I am of the race of the Jotuns,[1] they say.--Come, sit thou here,
Dagny. Far hast thou wandered in these five long years; tell me, thou
hast ofttimes been a guest in the halls of kings?

[1] The giants or Titans of Scandinavian mythology.

DAGNY. Many a time--and chiefly with AEthelstan of England.

HIORDIS. And everywhere thou hast been held in honour, and hast sat
in the highest seats at the board?

DAGNY. Doubtless. As Sigurd's wife----

HIORDIS. Ay, ay--a famous man is Sigurd--though Gunnar stands
above him.

DAGNY. Gunnar?

HIORDIS. One deed did Gunnar do that Sigurd shrank from. But let
that be! Tell me, when thou didst go a-viking with Sigurd, when thou
didst hear the sword-blades sing in the fierce war-game, when the
b