Then Hrut drew a ring from his finger and gave it to him, and
said, “Go away, and try no man’s temper henceforth.”
Then the boy went away saying, “Thy manliness I will bear in mind
all my life.”
From this matter Hrut got great praise, and after that they went
home; and that was the end of Mord’s and Hrut’s quarrel,
9. THORWALD GETS HALLGERDA TO WIFE
Now, it must be told how Hallgerda, Hauskuld’s daughter, grows
up, and is the fairest of women to look on; she was tall of
stature, too, and therefore she was called “Longcoat.” She was
fair-haired, and had so much of it that she could hide herself in
it; but she was layish and hard-hearted. Her foster-father’s
name was Thiostolf: he was a Southislander (1) by stock: he was a
strong man, well skilled in arms, and had slain many men, and
made no atonement in money for one of them. It was said, too,
that his rearing had not bettered Hallgerda’s temper.
There was a man named Thorwald; he was Oswif’s son, and dwelt out
on Middlefells strand, under the Fell. He was rich and well to
do, and owned the islands called Bearisles, which lie out in
Broadfirth, whence he got meal and stock fish. This Thorwald was
a strong and courteous man, though somewhat hasty in temper.
Now, it fell out one day that Thorwald and his father were
talking together of Thorwald’s marrying, and where he had best
look for a wife, and it soon came out that he thought there
wasn’t a match fit for him far or near.
“Well,” said Oswif, “wilt thou ask for Hallgerda Longcoat,
Hauskuld’s daughter.”
“Yes! I will ask for her,” said Thorwald.
“But that is not a match that will suit either of you,” Oswif
went on to say, “for she has a will of her own, and thou art
stern-tempered and unyielding.”
“For all that I will try my luck there,” said Thorwald, “so it’s
no good trying to hinder me.”
“Ay!” said Oswif, “and the risk is all thine own.”
After that they set off on a wooing journey to Hauskuldstede, and
had a hearty welcome. They were not long in telling Hauskuld
their business, and began to woo; then Hauskuld answered, “As for
you, I know how you both stand in the world, but for my own part
I will use no guile towards you. My daughter has a hard temper,
but as to her looks and breeding you can both see for
yourselves.”
“Lay down the terms of the match,” answered Thorwald, “for I will
not let her temper stand in the way of our bargain.”
Then they talked over the terms of the bargain, and Hauskuld
never asked his daughter what she thought of it, for his heart
was set on giving her away and so they came to an understanding
as to the terms of the match. After that Thorwald betrothed
himself to Hallgerda, and rode away home when the matter was
settled.
