Illugi.—­I am born blind, my lord!  But now it seems to me I can see all that others see.

Kolbein.—­I have still my doubts about that (holding the parchment before ILLUGI).  Are you able to see what this is?

Illugi.—­A parchment, my lord.

Kolbein.—­And can you discern what is there written?

Illugi.—­I can see the letters clearly.

Kolbein.—­That you could say, although you could not see them.

Illugi (reads).—­’And when St. John was arrayed in his pontifical robes, ready for burial—­’

Kolbein.—­How is it possible that you who are born blind have learned to read?

(ILLUGI remains silent, greatly frightened.)

Helgi.—­O miraculum magnum!  Holy Bishop Gudmund has imparted to him the art of reading!

Illugi.—­The glorious saint appeared to me last night in a dream and taught me to read, so that I might prove to-day that my eyes can see.

Kolbein.—­In that case more forethought was shown by Bishop Gudmund than he was accustomed to show when he was alive.

(BISHOP BOTOLF becomes uneasy; KOLBEIN’s men look at each other smiling.)

Helgi.—­The revelation of the saintliness of Holy Bishop Gudmund has affected me so much, my lord, that I forgot to have all the bells of the church rung. (Intends to leave.)

Botolf.—­Wait with that a little while, Helgi.

Haf.—­They will ring of themselves when the time has come.

Kolbein.—­Where are you from?

(ILLUGI remains silent, as to all following questions.  The boy always looks at him first before answering, making reply only when he sees that ILLUGI remains silent.)

Kolbein.—­Where are you two from?

The Boy.—­From the Hornstrands, my lord!

Kolbein.—­What was Thord Kakali about when you left?

The Boy.—­We do not know, my lord!

Kolbein.—­You must have remained over night at Bolstadarhlid before you ascended the Vatnsskard.

The Boy.—­We did, my lord!

Kolbein.—­Did yeoman Jon send me no message by you?

The Boy.—­No, my lord, yeoman Jon sent no message by us.

Kolbein.—­You must be a clever and trusty lad, though you are young.

The Boy.—­You give me high praise, my lord, and it is good to hear.

Kolbein.—­You are careful to ask men about their names, or get to know them from others.  That is doing well for a young lad.

The Boy.—­I asked yeoman Jon myself what his name was, my lord!

Kolbein.—­There you lied again, little boy.  The yeoman at Bolstadarhlid is called Thorvard Arnason. (The boy runs out.)

Helgi.—­You lied in that yourself, Kolbein, to say that the yeoman’s name was Jon.  The boy would never have dared to ask the yeoman about his name.