The feast-room in Gunnar's house. The entrance-door is in the back; smaller doors in the side-walls. In front, on the left, the greater high-seat; opposite it, on the right, the lesser. In the middle of the floor, a wood fire is burning on a built-up hearth. In the background, on both sides of the door, are daïses for the women of the household. From each of the high-seats, a long table, with benches, stretches backwards, parallel with the wall. It is dark outside; the fire lights the room.
Hiördis and Dagny enter from the right.
Dagny.
Nay, Hiördis, it passes my wit to understand thee. Thou hast shown me all the house; I know not what thing thou lackest, and all thou hast is fair and goodly;—then why bemoan thy lot?
Hiördis.
Cage an eagle and it will bite at the wires, be they of iron or of gold.
Dagny.
In one thing at least thou art richer than I; thou hast Egil, thy little son.
