Yes!
VALGERD. Can you forget the friend of your childhood from whom your
father tore you to save you from the white Christ?
GUNLOED [in desperation]. Yes, yes!
VALGERD. You are weeping.
GUNLOED [Disturbed]. Some one is walking out there. Perhaps father
is coming home.
VALGERD. Will you bear in mind every day without tears that we now
dwell in the land of ice--fugitives from the kingdom of Svea and
hated here by the Christ-men? But we have suffered no loss of
greatness, although we have not been baptized and kissed the
bishop's hand. Have you ever spoken to any of the Christians since
we have been here?
GUNLOED [After a pause]. No. Tell me, mother, is it true that father
is to be Erl here in Iceland, too?
VALGERD. Don't let that trouble you, child.
GUNLOED. Then I'm afraid he will fare badly with the Christians.
VALGERD. You fear that?
GUNLOED. Some one is out there.
VALGERD [Anxiously]. Did you see the ship lying in the inlet this
morning?
GUNLOED. With heart-felt gladness!
VALGERD. Bore it the figure-head of Thorfinn?
GUNLOED. That I could not make out.
VALGERD. Have a care, girl.
GUNLOED. Is it tonight that I may go out?
VALGERD. Tomorrow--that you know well.
GUNLOED Mother!
VALGERD [Going]. Mind the fire. [Valgerd goes.]
[Gunloed looks after her mother, then cautiously takes from her
breast a crucifix, puts it on the high bench and falls on her
knees.]
GUNLOED. Christ, Christ, forgive me the lie I told.
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