)
DAGNY. Nay, Hiordis, I cannot understand thee. Thou hast shown me
all the house; I know not what thing thou lackest, and all thou hast
is fair and goodly;--then why bemoan thy lot?
HIORDIS. Cage an eagle and it will bite at the wires, be they of
iron or of gold.
DAGNY. In one thing at least thou art richer than I; thou hast Egil,
thy little son.
HIORDIS. Better no child, than one born in shame.
DAGNY. In shame?
HIORDIS. Dost thou forgot thy father's saying? Egil is the son of
a leman; that was his word.
DAGNY. A word spoken in wrath--why wilt thou heed it?
HIORDIS. Nay, nay, Ornulf was right; Egil is weak; one can see he
is no freeborn child.
DAGNY. Hiordis, how canst thou----?
HIORDIS (unheeding). Thus is shame sucked into the blood, like the
venom of a snake-bite. Of another mettle are the freeborn sons of
mighty men. I have heard of a queen that took her son and sewed his
kirtle fast to his flesh, yet he never blinked an eye. (With a look
of cruelty.) Dagny, that will I try with Egil!
DAGNY (horrified). Hiordis, Hiordis!
HIORDIS (laughing). Ha-ha-ha! Dost thou think I meant my words?
(Changing her tone.) But, believe me or not as thou wilt, there are
times when such deeds seem to lure me; it must run in the blood,--
for I am of the race of the Jotuns,[1] they say.--Come, sit thou here,
Dagny.
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