mother----?
'Tis a fair word. It has but one blemish--the hateful likeness to
another word.--King's _mother_ and king's _murderer_.*--King's
mother--one that takes a king's life. King's mother--one that
gives a king life.

*The words in the original are "Kongemoder" and "Kongemorder,"
a difference of one letter only.

(She rises.)
Well, then; I will make good what I have taken.--My son shall
be king!
(She sits down again and begins writing, but pushes the paper
away again, and leans back in her chair.)
There is no comfort in a house where lies a corpse. 'Tis
therefore I feel so strangely. (Turns her head to one side as
if speaking to some one.) Not therefore? Why else should it be?
(Broodingly.)
Is there such a great gulf, then, between openly striking down
a foe and slaying one--thus? Knut Alfson had cleft many a brain
with his sword; yet was his own as peaceful as a child's. Why
then do I ever see this--(makes a motion as though striking with
a knife)--this stab in the heart--and the gush of red blood after?
(Rings, and goes on speaking while shifting about her papers.)
Hereafter I will have none of these ugly sights. I will work
both day and night. And in a month--in a month my son will be
here---- ----

BIORN (entering). Did you strike the bell, my lady?

LADY INGER (writing). Bring more lights. See to it in future
that there are many lights in the room

(BIORN goes out again to the left.)

LADY INGER (after a pause, rises impetuously). No, no, no;--I
cannot guide the pen to-night! My head is burning and throbbing----
(Startled, listens.)
What is _that?_ Ah, they are screwing the lid on the coffin in
there.
When I was a child they told me the story of Sir Age,* who rose
up and walked with his coffin on his back.--If he in there were
one night to think of coming with the coffin on his back, to thank
me for the loan? (Laughs quietly.) Hm--what have we grown people
to do with childish fancies? (Vehemently.) But such stories are
hurtful none the less! They give uneasy dreams. When my son is
king, they shall be forbidden.

*Pronounce _Oaghe_. [Note: "Age" has a ring above the "A",
"Oaghe" an umlaut above the "e".--D. L.]

(Goes up and down once or twice; then opens the window.)
How long is it, commonly, ere a body begins to rot? All the
rooms must be aired. 'Tis not wholesome here till that be d