on. To horse, yeoman Alf!

_Alf_.--Unwillingly I followed you, Thorolf, and left my farm work
behind. Take with you the two companions that always have followed
you--death and the devil!

_Thorolf_.--Right, you insolent fool, death has ever been my companion.
(BRAND KOLBEINSSON _goes to the door and opens it_.) Now you precede me
to the door, Brand Kolbeinsson, for higher-born than I you are. But in
all tests of manhood, in assemblies and in battles, I have gone before
you. There is no danger in going before me now; it is quite safe!
(_Exit_.)

_Broddi_.--An astonishing thing it is that base men should dare to speak
in such wise to chieftains!

_Brand_.--He is a greater friend of my kinsman Kolbein than any other
man.

_Einar_.--And in greater favor even with Lady Helga than with Kolbein.

_Sigurd_.--He journeyed to Rome with Kolbein. Such a pilgrimage atones
for many a sin.

(_Enter_ LADY JORUN _with her and_ BRAND'S _sons_, KALF _and_ THORGEIR.)

_Jorun_.--What errand brought Thorolf Bjarnason hither to Stad?

_Brand_.--Kolbein the Young sent him.

_Jorun_.--Then we shall have to put up with that insult.

_Alf_.--Your husband he called a 'velvet glove!'

_Jorun_.--Gentle have his hands ever been to me, and I might well call
him so.

_Alf_.--And a coward he called him.

_Jorun_.--Slower he is to ill deeds than Thorolf.

_Einar_.--_Me_ Thorolf threatened with death, and to wrench out of my
hands the crucifix, whenever I should lie down for the blow, just as he
did to Kalf Guttormsson.

_Jorun_ (_moved to tears_).--Was that done to my father?

_Sigurd_.--It was indeed done to him, and a mighty ill deed it was.

_Jorun_.--I had not thought that men who were to lose their lives would
be thus cruelly dealt with.

_Alf_.--These men have indeed done enough to forfeit _their_ lives, and
ought to live no longer.

_Helgi Skaftason_.--If no one can be prevailed upon to kill them I shall
undertake it.

_Alf_.--No one's duty it is as much as yours, Brand Kolbeinsson, to take
revenge for the murder of Kalf Guttormsson.

_Jorun_.--Let no one be so bold as to seek revenge for my father. Full
composition did Kolbein the Young pay for reconciliation, after the
death of father and son, with the fine of hundred marks silver, which
were paid out to my mother and me as stipulated.

_Einar_.--And yet might Brand and others take revenge for the
wrongs they have suffered at the hands of Thorolf, even though Kalf