"Peace, Helgi Sigvaldson! Wouldst thou strike my servant in mine own house? The man loves not Norsemen, yet has he saved thy foster-brother's life, and likely, too, those of Ketill and all his company."
"Tell us, Atli," interposed Estein, "what he said on his return."
"Little he told even me," replied Atli, "save that he had seen Ketill for the briefest possible space, and then returned straightway home."
"Did he hear aught of the twenty good men who followed us to King
Bue's hall?"
It was Jomar himself who replied, though without turning over or looking at the speaker.
"Would you have me save them, too, from their fate? I heard naught of them, and wish only to hear of their deaths. Too many enemies have I helped already."
Helgi was about to reply hotly, but Atli checked him with a gesture, whispering,—
"Will not his deeds atone for his words?"
Low as he spoke, Jomar caught the words, and muttered loud enough to be heard,—
"Would that my words might become my deeds."