he feast-board.

SIGURD. I have ever esteemed Gunnar more highly than myself.

HIORDIS. Well, well--second to Gunnar is still a good place, and----
(with a side-glance at THOROLF) had Ornulf been here, he could have
had the third seat.

THOROLF. Then would Jokul, thy father, find a low place indeed; for
he fell before Ornulf.

(The following dispute is carried on, by both parties, with rising
and yet repressed irritation.)

HIORDIS. That shalt thou never say! Ornulf is a skald, and men
whisper that he has praised himself for greater deeds than he has
done.

THOROLF. Then woe to him who whispers so loudly that it comes to
my ear!

HIORDIS (with a smile of provocation). Wouldst thou avenge it?

THOROLF. Ay, so that my vengeance should be told of far and wide.

HIORDIS. Then here I pledge a cup to this, that thou may'st first
have a beard on thy chin.

THOROLF. Even a beardless lad is too good to wrangle with women.

HIORDIS. But too weak to fight with men; therefore thy father let
thee lie by the hearth at home in Iceland, whilst thy brothers went
a-viking.

THOROLF. It had been well had he kept as good an eye on thee; for
then hadst thou not left Iceland a dishonoured woman.

GUNNAR AND SIGURD. Thorolf!

DAGNY (simultaneously). Brother!

HIORDIS (softly, and quivering with rage). Ha! wait--wait!

THOROLF (gives GUNNAR his hand). Be not wroth, Gunnar; evil words
came to my tongue; but thy wife egged me!

DAGNY (softly and imploringly). Foster-sister, by any love thou
hast ever borne me, stir not up strife!

HIORDIS (laughing). Jests must pass at the feast-board if the
merriment is to thrive.

GUNNAR (who has been talking softly to THOROLF). Thou art a brave
lad! (Hands him a sword which hangs beside the high-seat.) Here,
Thorolf, here is a good gift for thee. Wield it well, and let us
be friends.

HIORDIS. Beware how thou givest away thy weapons, Gunnar; for men
may say thou dost part with things thou canst not use!

THOROLF (who has meanwhile examined the sword). Thanks for the gift,
Gunnar; it shall never be drawn in an unworthy cause.

HIORDIS. If thou wilt keep that promise, then do thou never lend
the sword to thy brothers.

GUNNAR. Hiordis!

HIORDIS (continuing). Neither let it hang on thy father's wall; for
there it would hang with base men's weapons.

THOROLF. True enough, Hiordis--for there thy father's axe and shield
hav