What is that? Ah, they are screwing the lid on the coffin.
They told me when I was a child the story of Sir Aage,[[22]] who rose up and walked with his coffin on his back.—If he in there bethought him one night to come with the coffin on his back, and thank me for the loan? [Laughs quietly.] H’m—what have we grown people to do with childish fancies? [Vehemently.] Nevertheless, such stories do no good! They give uneasy dreams. When my son is king, they shall be forbidden.
Paces 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 done.
Biörn comes in with two lighted branch-candlesticks, which he places on the tables.
Lady Inger.
[Who has set to work at the papers again.] It is well. See you forget not what I have said. Many lights on the table!
What are they about now in there?
Biörn.
They are still screwing down the coffin-lid.