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. p. 38“And who made you a judge upon your mother that bore you?” cried she. p. 38 “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—p. 39oh, 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!” p. 39 So she ran into her bed-place, and clapped at the door, and left the child amazed. But for all Aud spoke with so much passion, it was noticed that for long she left the things unused. Only she would be locked somewhile daily in her bed-place, where she pored on them and secretly wore them for her pleasure. Now winter was at hand; the days grew short and the nights long; and under the golden face of morning the isle would stand silver with frost. Word came from Holyfell to Frodis Water of a company of young men upon a journey; that night they supped at Holyfell, the next it would be at p. 40Frodis Water; and Alf of the Fells was there, and Thongbrand Ketilson, and Hall the Fair. Aud went early to her bed-place, and there she pored upon these fineries till her heart was melted
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