HIORDIS. Mayhap; but otherwise will it sound in the mouths of men; and thou thyself, Gunnar, didst show scant trust in the peace yesterday, in sending our son Egil to the southland so soon as it was known that Ornulf's warship lay in the fiord.
SIGURD (to GUNNAR). Didst thou send thy sons to the south?
HIORDIS. Ay, that he might be in safety should Ornulf fall upon us.
ORNULF. Scoff not at that, Hiordis; what Gunnar has done may prove
wise in the end, if so be thou hinderest the pact.
HIORDIS. Life must take its chance; come what will, I had liever
die than save my life by a shameful pact.
DAGNY. Sigurd makes atonement, and will not be deemed the lesser
man for that.
HIORDIS. Sigurd best knows what his own honour can bear.
SIGURD. On that score shall I never need reminding.
HIORDIS. Sigurd has done famous deeds, but the boldest deed of all
was Gunnar's, when he slew the white bear that guarded my bower.
GUNNAR (with an embarrassed glance at SIGURD). Nay nay, no more
of that!