_Helgi_.--I want to have my food, and no consecrated host! And when I am done eating it is better I should see how the watches are kept. Never forget those masses, deacon! (_All depart. After a little while_ KALF _and_ THORGEIR _poke their heads in and enter, when they see that the room is empty_.) _Kalf_.--Nobody here; come now, we are going to play. _Thorgeir_.--Yes, play great, big men! _Kalf_.--Father is going to fight against Kolbein the Young now, and Broddi with him. Will you be Broddi? _Thorgeir_.--No, I want to be papa! _Kalf_.--Then you want to be what I wanted to be; so I shall be Kolbein the Young. So, now let's begin. _Thorgeir_.--Yes, and I am papa. _Kalf_.--Now first we have got to fight one another. _Thorgeir_.--No. Because I am papa! _Kalf_ (_commands_).--Draw up your forces in battle array, Brand Kolbeinsson! Come now, Geiri, and play with me; we must fight now! _Thorgeir_.--You are out of your mind! Why do you want to rush at me? I who am father? (_Kneels down in the background, folding his hands over his breast, looking down and moving his lips_.) _Kalf_.--Why, don't you remember that I am Kolbein the Young? Now the battle begins! (_Commanding_.) Order your troops, Brand Kolbeinsson! Defend yourself! Are you running and hiding yourself now, Brand Kolbeinsson? _Thorgeir_.--No, I am in church and saying my prayers. _Kalf_.--I shall teach you saying prayers when you are to fight with me! (_Angrily_.) Now I am dragging you out of church, Brand Kolbeinsson. (_Grasps him and drags him out to the middle of the floor_. THORGEIR _remains on his knees_.) There, now you have got out of church! _Thorgeir_.--No, papa is still in the church! _Kalf_.--Now you are out of it! Cut off his head, Helgi Skaftason! (_Grasps_ THORGEIR _by his shoulder and lifts up his other hand_.) _Thorgeir_ (_still kneeling_).--Are you out of your mind? Do you want to kill me, who am papa--and I--while I am in church,--and--and--and I--while I am saying my prayers? _Kalf_ (_lifting up his hand_).--Cut off his head, Helgi Skaftason! _Thorgeir_ (_as before, weeping_).--Mamma! Mamma! Mamma! _Kalf_ (_stamping, with commanding voice_).--Cut off his head, Helgi Skaftason! (_Enter_ JORUN. THORGEIR _is weeping_.) _Jorun_.--What are you doing there, boys? Why are you crying, Thorgeir? _Kalf_.--We are playing here. _Thorgeir_ (_tearfully_).--He wants to cut my head off,--I who am papa, and in church, and praying. _Kalf_.--Yes, and I was Kolbein the Young, and wanted to have Helgi Skaftason behead him--just in play. _Jorun_.--Don't cry any more, my boy. (_Caresses_ THORGEIR.) And you, Kalf, do you want to have your father beheaded in your game? No more such games! (_Slaps_ KALF.) _Kalf_.--You slap me? I who am Kolbein the Young? So you think he will allow himself to be slapped with impunity by a woman?