e without speech.

"Well, child?" says Aud; and again "Well?" and then "Keep us holy, if you
have anything to say, out with it!"

So the maid came so much nearer, "Mother," says she, "I wish you would
not wear these things that were Thorgunna's."

"Aha," cries Aud. "This is what it is? You begin early, brat! And who
has been poisoning your mind? Your fool of a father, I suppose." And
then she stopped and went all scarlet. "Who told you they were yours?"
she asked again, taking it all the higher for her stumble. "When you are
grown, then you shall have your share and not a day before. These things
are not for babies."

The child looked at her and was amazed. "I do not wish them," she said.
"I wish they might be burned."

"Upon my word, what next?" cried Aud. "And why should they be burned?"

"I know my father tried to burn these things," said Asdis, "and he named
Thorgunna's name upon the skerry ere he died. And, O mother, I doubt
they have brought ill luck."

But the more Aud was terrified, the more she would make light of it.

Then the girl put her hand upon her mother's. "I fear they are ill come
by," said she.

The blood sprang in Aud's face. "And who made you a judge upon your
mother that bore you?" cried she.

"Kinswoman," said Asdis, looking down, "I saw you with the brooch."

"What do you mean? When? Where did you see me?" cried the mother.

"Here in the hall," said Asdis, looking on the floor, "the night you
stole it."

At that Aud let out a cry. Then she heaved up her hand to strike the
child. "You little spy!" she cried. Then she covered her face, and
wept, and rocked herself. "What can you know?" she cried. "How can you
understand, that are a baby, not so long weaned? He could--your father
could, the dear good man, dead and gone! He could understand and pity,
he was good to me. Now he has left me alone with heartless children!
Asdis," she cried, "have you no nature in your blood? You do not know
what I have done and suffered for them. I have done--oh, and I could
have done anything! And there is your father dead. And after all, you
ask me not to use them? No woman in Iceland has the like. And you wish
me to destroy them? Not if the dead should rise!" she cried. "No, no,"
and she stopped her ears, "not if the dead should rise, and let that end
it!"

So she ran into her bed-place, and clapped at the door, and left the
child amazed.

But for all Aud spoke with so