HIORDIS. Better no child, than one born in shame.
DAGNY. In shame?
HIORDIS. Dost thou forgot thy father's saying? Egil is the son of a leman; that was his word.
DAGNY. A word spoken in wrath—why wilt thou heed it?
HIORDIS. Nay, nay, Ornulf was right; Egil is weak; one can see he is no freeborn child.
DAGNY. Hiordis, how canst thou——?
HIORDIS (unheeding). Thus is shame sucked into the blood, like the venom of a snake-bite. Of another mettle are the freeborn sons of mighty men. I have heard of a queen that took her son and sewed his kirtle fast to his flesh, yet he never blinked an eye. (With a look of cruelty.) Dagny, that will I try with Egil!
DAGNY (horrified). Hiordis, Hiordis!
HIORDIS (laughing). Ha-ha-ha! Dost thou think I meant my words? (Changing her tone.) But, believe me or not as thou wilt, there are times when such deeds seem to lure me; it must run in the blood,— for I am of the race of the Jotuns,[1] they say.—Come, sit thou here, Dagny. Far hast thou wandered in these five long years; tell me, thou hast ofttimes been a guest in the halls of kings?
[1] The giants or Titans of Scandinavian mythology.