ORNULF. It must; but I shall not crave over much, and Gunnar has the fame of an honourable man. Glad am I, too, that I set about this quest; the time lay heavy on me in Iceland; out upon the blue waters had I grown old and grey, and I longed to fare forth once again before I——; well well—Bergthora, my good wife, was dead these many years; my eldest sons sailed on viking-ventures summer by summer; and since Thorolf was growing up——
DAGNY (gladly). Thorolf is with thee? Where is he?
ORNULF. On board the ship. (Points towards the background, to the right.) Scarce shalt thou know the boy again, so stout and strong and fair has he grown. He will be a mighty warrior, Sigurd; one day he will equal thee.
DAGNY (smiling). I see it is now as ever; Thorolf stands nearest thy heart.
ORNULF. He is the youngest, and like his mother; therefore it is.
SIGURD. But tell me—thy errand to Gunnar—thinkest thou to-day——?
ORNULF. Rather to-day than to-morrow. Fair amends will content me; if Gunnar says me nay, then must he take what comes.
(KARE THE PEASANT enters hastily from the right; he is clad in a grey frieze cloak and low-brimmed felt hat; he carries in his hand a broken fence-rail.)
KARE. Well met, Vikings!
ORNULF. Vikings are seldom well met.