GUNNAR. I would give my warmest heart-blood to know him alive!
HIORDIS (to ORNULF). Thorolf was himself to blame for what befell; with dark sayings he gave us to wit that thou hadst fallen upon Egil and slain him;—we had parted half in wrath, and thou hast ere now brought death among my kindred. And moreover—Thorolf bore himself at the feast like a wanton boy; he brooked not our jesting, and spoke many evil things. Not till then did Gunnar wax wroth; not till then did he raise his hand upon thy son; and well I wot that he had good and lawful ground for that deed.
ORNULF (calmly). Well may we see that thou art a woman, for thou usest many words. To what end? If Thorolf is slain, then is his saga over.
EGIL. If Thorolf is slain, I shall have no warriors.
ORNULF. Nay, Egil—we have lost our warriors, but thou and I. (To
HIORDIS.) Thy father sang:
Jokul's kin for Jokul's slayer
many a woe shall still be weaving.
Well has thou wrought that his words should come true. (Pauses a moment, then turns to one of the men.) Where got he his death-wound?
THE MAN. Right across his brow.
ORNULF (pleased). Hm; that is an honourable spot; he did not turn his back. But fell he sideways, or in towards Gunnar's feet?
THE MAN. Half sideways and half towards Gunnar.