_Sigurd_ (_hands her a key, wiping off a tear_).--I promise it. The boy's clothes lie in my chest under my vestments. Take them and may they help you, Lady Jorun, you blessed woman! _Jorun_.--There is still more to do, deacon. While I get myself ready, you are to tell the stewardess that she is to give the servant girls and men servants the food they choose to have, and as much and as good food as if it were prepared for a banquet. _Sigurd_.--It does not seem to me, though, as if any festival were at hand this evening. _Jorun_.--Do as I bid you! Probable it is that this will be the last time that I have prepared food for my servants. (_She takes the crucifix from her neck, hangs it upon a chair and kneels down before the cross_. DEACON SIGURD _looks at her awhile, then leaves the room in all stillness_.) (_Curtain_) ACT V (_The 'Great Hall' at Flugumyr, with raised seats along both walls and a dais at the gable end. The entrance door is at the right, in the side wall towards_ _the background. The upper part of the walls is draped with hangings, the lower part with shields hung up. Along the side walls are benches; two high seats in the foreground on either side; in front of the higher one a little table. In the middle of the dais is the seat of_ LADY HELGA, _with benches behind it. The evening candles are lit on all sides_.) (HELGA _and_ SALVOR.) _Helga_.--You do well to take a part of the domestic work off my shoulders. _Salvor_.--You have been very kind to me, Lady Helga. _Helga_.--To-morrow early I need breakfast for five hundred men. _Salvor_.--All hands are at work, lady! _Helga_.--To-morrow the chieftains are to do battle; have you bandages enough, ready? A good physician is worth half an army. _Salvor_.--There will not be any want of bandages. (_She embraces_ HELGA, _half weeping_.) Let the chieftains make peace, lady! _Helga_.--That would amount to humbling my husband! (_Seats herself on her chair on the dais_.) Bishop Botolf has promised to sit with us in the hall here to-night; have two tapers, large and thick, placed on the table in front of the high seat. (EINAR THE RICH _enters hurriedly and runs up on the dais. He lays his head on the knees of_ LADY HELGA. SALVOR _shrieks in fright_.) _Einar_.--I am bringing you my head, lady! _Helga_.--Why shriek so, Salvor?--Who are you? _Einar_.--I am Einar of Vik. _Helga_.--Good is your gift, and I shall gladly accept it! Salvor! Ask Asbjorn Illugason to come here. I desire that he shall behead Einar the Rich. (_Exit_ SALVOR.) _Einar_ (_quickly takes_ THOROLF'S _ring from his arm_).--Spare my life; for God's sake, mercy, mercy, mercy! _Helga_.--You shall obtain the same mercy as did Thorolf Bjarnason! _Einar_.--Do you know this ring, lady? _Helga_ (_attentively looking at the ring_).--That ring I know; did you steal it from the body of Thorolf? _Einar_.--Steal? As rich a man as I am? No, Thorolf bade me give you this ring, lady, with this message----