The Axe by Sigrid Undset

Author:Sigrid Undset
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780307773067
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2010-11-10T05:00:00+00:00

At Miklebö, Mistress Hillebjörg had given Ingunn Steinfinnsdatter a good reception. She had liked Olav, the little she had seen of him, and she liked him no less for having made an inroad on the brood of Tore’s leman. She treated her son with more kindness than she was wont, and when a suit of outlawry was brought against Arnvid for having helped Olav, she laughed and patted him on the shoulder. “ ’Twas none too soon either, my son, that you too had a taste of the law; I never liked your meek ways.”

She was gentler with the sick young woman than Arnvid had ever seen her with anyone. Ingunn was no more than moderately well; she was so troubled with giddiness that when she got out of bed in the morning, she had to stand a long while holding on to something, for the room turned round with her, and dark mists came before her eyes, so that she could not see. If she had to stoop and pick up anything from the floor, this mist came on and blinded her for a long time. She could not take food, and she fell away and grew thin, till she was pale to the very corners of her eyes. Hillebjörg brewed drinks for her, which were to remedy her affliction—but Ingunn could not keep these either. The old woman laughed and consoled her—’twas known such sickliness endured but for its time, and soon she would feel better. Ingunn made no reply when the mistress jested in this way, but bent her head and tried to hide the tears that filled her eyes. Otherwise she never wept, but was very quiet and patient.

She was not fit to perform the smallest piece of work, but sat with a ribbon in her hand, sewing a border of fine flowers and animals. Or else she was making the linen shirt she had cut out while she was at Hamar. She had always been skilful at fine needlework, and she put all her art and industry into this shirt, which Olav was to have when he came home; but the work went but slowly. Or she made playthings for Arnvid’s sons, wove them breastplates of straw, feathered their arrows, and made bats and balls that were better than any they had had before. It was because she had always played with boys that she could do this so well, she told Arnvid. Olav had taught her this. She sang to the children and told them stories and rhymes, and she seemed to be of better cheer when caring for these three little lads—she would gladly have had one of the children on her knees always. Magnus was five years old now, and the twins, Finn and Steinar, nearly four. Magnus and Finn were strong, romping little fellows and did not care so much to be fondled by women, but Steinar was weaker and took a fancy to Ingunn. So she led the boy with her wherever she went, carried him in her arms, and took him to her bed at night.

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