be at the feast unless she were driven away. And so it was, that
she went away; and now each man sat in his place, and they drank
and were glad.
Then Thrain began to speak, “I will not whisper about that which
is in my mind. This I will ask thee, Hauskuld Dalakoll’s son,
wilt thou give me to wife Thorgerda, thy kinswoman?”
“I do not know that,” says Hauskuld; “methinks thou art ill
parted from the one thou hadst before. But what kind of man is
he, Gunnar?”
Gunnar answers, “I will not say aught about the man, because he
is near of kin; but say thou about him, Njal,” says Gunnar, “for
all men will believe it.”
Njal spoke, and said, “That is to be said of this man, that the
man is well to do for wealth, and a proper man in all things. A
man, too, of the greatest mark; so that ye may well make this
match with him.”
Then Hauskuld spoke, “What thinkest thou we ought to do, kinsman
Hrut?”
“Thou mayst make the match, because it is an even one for her,”
says Hrut.
Then they talk about the terms of the bargain, and are soon of
one mind on all points.
Then Gunnar stands up, and Thrain too, and they go to the cross
bench. Gunnar asked that mother and daughter whether they would
say yes to this bargain. They said they would find no fault with
it, and Hallgerda betrothed her daughter. Then the places of the
women were shifted again, and now Thorhalla sate between the
brides. And now the feast sped on well, and when it was over,
Hauskuld and his company ride west, but the men of Rangriver rode
to their own abode. Gunnar gave many men gifts, and that made
him much liked.
Hallgerda took the housekeeping under her, and stood up for her
rights in word and deed. Thorgerda took to housekeeping at
Gritwater, and was a good housewife.
35. THE VISIT TO BERGTHORSKNOLL
Now it was the custom between Gunnar and Njal, that each made the
other a feast, winter and winter about, for friendship’s sake;
and it was Gunnar’s turn to go to feast at Njal’s. So Gunnar and
Hallgerda set off for Bergthorsknoll, and when they got there
Helgi and his wife were not at home. Njal gave Gunnar and his
wife a hearty welcome, and when they had been there a little
while, Helgi came home with Thorhalla his wife. Then Bergthora
went up to the crossbench, and Thorhalla with her, and Bergthora
said to Hallgerda, “Thou shalt give place to this woman.”
She answered, “To no one will I give place, for I will not be
driven into the corner for any one.”
“I shall rule here,” said Bergthora. After that Thorhalla sat
down, and Bergthora went round the table with water to wash the
guests’ hands. Then Hallgerda took hold of Bergthora’s hand, and
