_Helgi_.--Ay, let him do that, my lord! Let the man prove that he can see, so that Thomas be made to believe. _Kolbein_ (_aside_).--Hand me a parchment, Haf! (HAF _takes a scroll out of a box in the choir and reaches it over to him_.) You were blind, then, when I spoke to you before? _Illugi_.--I am born blind, my lord! But now it seems to me I can see all that others see. _Kolbein_.--I have still my doubts about that (_holding the parchment before_ ILLUGI). Are you able to see what this is? _Illugi_.--A parchment, my lord. _Kolbein_.--And can you discern what is there written? _Illugi_.--I can see the letters clearly. _Kolbein_.--That you could say, although you could not see them. _Illugi_ (_reads_).--'And when St. John was arrayed in his pontifical robes, ready for burial--' _Kolbein_.--How is it possible that you who are born blind have learned to read? (ILLUGI _remains silent, greatly frightened_.) _Helgi_.--O miraculum magnum! Holy Bishop Gudmund has imparted to him the art of reading! _Illugi_.--The glorious saint appeared to me last night in a dream and taught me to read, so that I might prove to-day that my eyes can see. _Kolbein_.--In that case more forethought was shown by Bishop Gudmund than he was accustomed to show when he was alive. (BISHOP BOTOLF _becomes uneasy_; KOLBEIN's _men look at each other smiling_.) _Helgi_.--The revelation of the saintliness of Holy Bishop Gudmund has affected me so much, my lord, that I forgot to have all the bells of the church rung. (_Intends to leave_.) _Botolf_.--Wait with that a little while, Helgi. _Haf_.--They will ring of themselves when the time has come. _Kolbein_.--Where are you from? (ILLUGI _remains silent, as to all following questions. The boy always looks at him first before answering, making reply only when he sees that_ ILLUGI _remains silent_.) _Kolbein_.--Where are you two from? _The Boy_.--From the Hornstrands, my lord! _Kolbein_.--What was Thord Kakali about when you left? _The Boy_.--We do not know, my lord! _Kolbein_.--You must have remained over night at Bolstadarhlid before you ascended the Vatnsskard. _The Boy_.--We did, my lord! _Kolbein_.--Did yeoman Jon send me no message by you? _The Boy_.--No, my lord, yeoman Jon sent no message by us. _Kolbein_.--You must be a clever and trusty lad, though you are young. _The Boy_.--You give me high praise, my lord, and it is good to hear. _Kolbein_.--You are careful to ask men about their names, or get to know them from others. That is doing well for a young lad. _The Boy_.--I asked yeoman Jon myself what his name was, my lord! _Kolbein_.--There you lied again, little boy. The yeoman at Bolstadarhlid is called Thorvard Arnason. (_The boy runs out_.) _Helgi_.--You lied in that yourself, Kolbein, to say that the yeoman's name was Jon. The boy would never have dared to ask the yeoman about his name.