"Really, Magnus, you are taking a most unwarrantable liberty. If you were not my brother----"
"Shah! Give the mother her child."
"Good Lord, man," said Oscar, breathing hard as if he had been running, "do you really think that I am going to allow an outsider, even if he is my brother, to dictate to me what I shall do with my family difficulties and to travel all the way from Thingvellir to conduct my domestic affairs? What right have you to mix yourself in my business--the business of my wife and me?"
The cloud that contracted Magnus's face grew darker every moment, and he said:
"You ask me what right?"
"I do."
"I loved Thora Neilsen."
"You think it necessary to tell me that?" said Oscar. "To remind me that she threw you up for me?"
"That's a lie, Oscar Stephenson."
"Strong!" said Oscar, with a laugh, but he was trembling visibly.