he next day young Lord Erik went north with the ship. And my lord
stood on the beach smiling gaily and called out gay words of next
summer. And the young face brightened for a moment as the ship drew
away.

Well, all that day I followed my lord about, smiling at his gay moods,
quiet when he forgot--which gave me pleasure. I am sure he tried to leave
me behind him sometimes, after mid-day, by fast walking, but I came.
And toward evening, as we tramped back along the beach to the hall, I
coming behind, my lord turned, and started running. In a moment I caught
him; and he bent suddenly over my shoulder, with a sound like a seal
grunting. So, I held him for a moment till he shook himself into himself
again and walked up towards the castle, I falling back again; we never
said anything about this.

Now I go out on a long ending, that is only true. After some days of
silent smiling on the part of Hildur--to me she looked very ugly--and much
laughter--which cheered old Lord Raud--on the part of my lord, he asked
Lord Raud to give him the maiden now, for he was anxious to take her
away. So my lord spoke to her about it, and she said yes.

Then we went away; and old Lord Raud stood on the beach, our ship being
back, and large tears came down from his eyes. So we all went home again
and took the maiden with us.

There is little use in telling a tale of women. Yet some scenes rest
with me that concern my lord, so I tell it all. Thus those two used to
walk past the door of the hall, and past again, while I stood in the
doorway; and I would hear what they said, for my lord did not care for
me, and it was very loving. But after it was over he would go down to
the water and look out, and stretch his arms, and yawn--then break in
with a laugh and walk back again.

Often in mid-summer came ships, and their men were well fed and liked
us.

Hildur used to be gay now only when these ships would come; in the
winter she was silent.

The house was badly kept; many times I have made rough sowing for my
lord, so that he would not know.

When spring came and the sea was bright at the early morning, we would
often get drunk in the hall toward night after standing watching the
glancing of little waves through the lazy day. I used to put water in my
lord's beer that he might not drink too much. He never used to speak of
young Erik now; of which I was glad; he was only a boy.

So the spring went by and the green of the leaves grew darker a