ap of gratitude
that Einar had been sent away by her father. It might have been he in
the shadow. But would he be the second? Ah, no, she vowed he should
not. Or would he be the third? Not if the third was to be an ugly
man. Then there was the promise of the end: "Your ways tend to Iceland
. . . thither you will return . . . you shall end your life-days in the
way that pleases you best." Could that mean that Einar----? But after
three honourable men had received death at her hand! She shuddered and
hugged herself against the cold. Not even the promise of Einar seemed
fortification enough for that. Nevertheless, there was comfort in the
last days. She told her bedfellow stoutly that she did not believe a
word of it, but the girl merely stared at her. Then she said: "I know
who your first husband will be if he can persuade Thorbeorn. It is
Skeggi of Whitewaterstrand." After that Gudrid had to be told all
about it.

She told her father too--but not so stoutly--that she did not believe
it; but in her heart she felt that it must be true. As for Thorbeorn,
who had heard it all through the wall, whatever he may have thought, he
was very indignant, and angry with her too. "Put such mummery out of
your head. We are not Christians for nothing, I should hope. A
scandalous hag with her bell-wether voice and airs of a great lady!
What has she to do with good women, well brought up? A woman's duty is
to leave match-making to her parents, and the future to God and His
Angels. Who can foretell his end? Can the priest? Can the bishop?
No. And who would wish to know it? Ask yourself. I am vexed that we
should have fallen upon a heathen house, and much more that you should
have lent yourself to its wicked customs."

Gudrid excused herself. "I couldn't help myself. They are kind
people. It would have been ungracious. And I did know the songs. How
could I have said I did not?"

"And who taught you such songs?"

"Halldis sang them," she said; "I learnt them of her."

He had to allow for much that she urged. "Well, think no more of it,"
he bade her.

"No, I must not," she said.

"When the time comes, when we are settled by Eric Red, I shall find a
good husband for you, beyond a doubt."

"Yes," said Gudrid.

"Then we shall have the laugh of these mystery-mongers."

"Yes."

"As for me, I never heard such nonsense in my days."

"No," said Gudrid, looking about for a way of escape. She could
neith