Whether he is mad, or bewitched, or feigning
like Amleth, it is not easy to tell."
"I do not think it is any of these," Rothgar said slowly. "I think it is
because he likes it so well that he has got peace in which to amuse himself.
Sooner would he hunt than fight, any day; and I have often seen him express
pleasure in this manner. I remember how his wife Elfgiva once said of him that
it was well his crown was no more than a ring of gold, for then, when his mood
changed, he could use it for such a gold hoop as kings' children are wont to
play with."
"Said Elfgiva of Northampton that?" Eric asked in surprise. "Never would I
have believed her so wise in words. That she is the most beautiful of women,
all the world knows; but I have always supposed that her wit stopped with her
temper, which is suspected to be shorter than her hair."
Rothgar grunted scornfully. "It is easy for a fool to speak some wisdom if she
keeps her tongue moving all the time."
Laughing, the Norwegian plunged again into the general discussion; and the son
of Lodbrok stood listening discontentedly, while he kept a sharp watch of the
low-browed entrance.
Presently his patience was rewarded. Within the hut there arose all at once a
duet of voices, half angrily accusing, half laughingly protesting. Then the
chess-board came flying through the doorway, followed by a handful of chessmen
and the person of the big good-natured Jarl, still uttering his laughing
protests.
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