who has been poisoning your mind? Your fool of a father, I suppose.” And then she stopped and went all scarlet. “Who told you they were yours?” she asked again, taking it all the higher for her stumble. “When you are grown, then you shall have your share and not a day before. These things are not for babies.”
The child looked at her and was amazed. “I do not wish them,” she said. “I wish they might be burned.”
“Upon my word, what next?” cried Aud. “And why should they be burned?”
“I know my father tried to burn these things,” said Asdis, “and he named Thorgunna’s name upon the skerry ere he died. And, O mother, I doubt they have brought ill luck.”
But the more Aud was terrified, the more she would make light of it.
Then the girl put her hand upon her mother’s. “I fear they are ill come by,” said she.
The blood sprang in Aud’s face.
“And who made you a judge upon your mother that bore you?” cried she.
“Kinswoman,” said Asdis, looking down, “I saw you with the brooch.”
“What do you mean? When? Where did you see me?” cried the mother.