GUNNAR. There is peace and friendship between us.
HIORDIS (with suppressed scorn). Friendship? Well well, I know thou art a wise man, Gunnar! Kare has met mighty friends, and well I woth thou deem'st it safest——
GUNNAR. Thy taunts avail not! (With dignity.) Kare is at peace
with us!
HIORDIS (restraining herself). Well and good; if thou hast sworn
him peace, the vow must be held.
GUNNAR (forcibly, but without anger). It must and it shall.
ORNULF (to HIORDIS). Another pact had been well-nigh made ere thy coming.
HIORDIS (sharply). Between thee and Gunnar.
ORNULF (nods). It had to do with thee.
HIORDIS. Well can I guess what it had to do with; but this I tell thee, foster-father, never shall it be said that Gunnar let himself be cowed because thou camest in arms to the isle. Hadst thou come alone, a single wayfarer, to our hall, the quarrel had more easily been healed.
GUNNAR. Ornulf and his sons come in peace.