_Jorun_.--There are but few that can see that in such small boys, excepting their own mother.
_Helga_ (_sits down and extends her hand_).--Come to me, Kalf, my foster-son. (KALF _comes up to her_.) What do you want to be when you grow up? A bishop?
_Kalf_.--I want to become a great chieftain!
_Helga_.--What chieftain would you most want to be like?
_Kalf_.--The one who commands the greatest army.
_Helga_.--You want to command a great army, foster-son?
_Kalf_.--Yes, and be victorious in many battles.
_Helga_ (_placing_ KALF _on her knee_).--I think as before about my foster-son Half. In him you will bring up a man fit to be a chieftain, Jorun, though I know not how fit you are for that task.
_Jorun_.--My sons will have to be satisfied with such bringing up as I am able to give them.
_Helga_,--Which chieftain would you most like to be?
_Helga_.--Older people ought to say that! (_To_ THORGEIR.) But what do you most like to become, little tot? (THORGEIR _comes up to her_.)
_Thorgeir_.--Like father. (_Puts a finger into his mouth_.)
_Thorgeir_.--I want to be like my papa. (HELGA _gazes at him; he retires behind his mother, concealing his face in her gown, and cries_.)
_Jorun_.--You must not make my boy cry, lady.
_Helga_--You may keep that boy yourself. But give me your boy Kalf along to Flugumyr, for that would further reconciliations. I wish to be the mother of a chieftain.
_Kalf_.--Will you give me sword and helmet, and shield, then?
_Helga_.--Yes, my boy, a shield with an eagle on it.
_Jorun_.--A woman who herself has no children is not destined to be mother to a chieftain. My son Kalf shall never come into your hands whilst I live. I wish him to learn works of peace, and not warfare and slaughter.
_Helga_.--Let your Thorgeir be ordained priest, as kinsmen of yours have done. (_Stands_ KALF _on the floor, getting up herself and stroking him on his head_.) But be careful to raise Kalf in such a manner that he become a successor to my husband and his father.
_Jorun_.--Go now, boys! (_The boys leave the room_.) You say that Kalf will be the successor of your husband and of his father?
_Helga_.--You know about the ill health of my husband Kolbein, which may take him away earlier than one might suspect. And yet it may be that Brand Kolbeinsson will not live even as long as he.