Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/54

 the old saw: "Call none a man but the knightly man." So now that we have never a knight in the land, we have never a man; and where no man is, there must women order things; therefore

Therefore—therefore I bid you hold your foul prate!

The evening wears on. Enough; you may hang the helmet and armour in the hall again.

[In a low voice.] Nay, best let it be till to-morrow.

What, do you fear the dark?

Not by day. And if so be I fear it at even, I am not the only one. Ah, you may look; I tell you in the housefolk's room there is talk of many things. [Lower.] They say that, night by night, a tall figure, clad in black, walks the Banquet Hall.

Old wives' tales!

Ah, but they all swear 'tis true.

That I well believe.