wouldst do much for
gold."

"And more for love, and most of all for hate," Groa said, and laughed
aloud; nor did they speak more on this matter that night.

Now, early in the morning Asmund rose, and, going to the hall, awoke
Eric, who slept by the centre hearth, saying that he would talk with him
without. Then Eric followed him to the back of the hall.

"Say now, Eric," he said, when they stood in the grey light outside the
house, "who was it taught thee that kisses keep out the cold on snowy
days?"

Now Eric reddened to his yellow hair, but he answered: "Who was it told
thee, lord, that I tried this medicine?"

"The snow hides much, but there are eyes that can pierce the snow. Nay,
more, thou wast seen, and there's an end. Now know this--I like thee
well, but Gudruda is not for thee; she is far above thee, who art but a
deedless yeoman."

"Then I love to no end," said Eric; "I long for one thing only, and that
is Gudruda. It was in my mind to ask her in marriage of thee to-day."

"Then, lad, thou hast thy answer before thou askest. Be sure of one
thing: if but once again I find thee alone with Gudruda, it is my axe
shall kiss thee and not her lips."

"That may yet be put to the proof, lord," said Eric, and turned to seek
his horse, when suddenly Gudruda came and stood between them, and his
heart leapt at the sight of her.

"Listen, Gudruda," Eric said. "This is thy father's word: that we two
speak together no more."

"Then it is an ill saying for us," said Gudruda, laying her hand upon
her breast.

"Saying good or ill, so it surely is, girl," answered Asmund. "No more
shalt thou go a-kissing, in the snow or in the flowers."

"Now I seem to hear Swanhild's voice," she said. "Well, such things have
happened to better folk, and a father's wish is to a maid what the wind
is to the grass. Still, the sun is behind the cloud and it will shine
again some day. Till then, Eric, fare thee well!"

"It is not thy will, lord," said Eric, "that I should come to thy
Yule-feast as thou hast asked me these ten years past?"

Now Asmund grew wroth, and pointed with his hand towards the great
Golden Falls that thunder down the mountain named Stonefell that is
behind Middalhof, and there are no greater water-falls in Iceland.

"A man may take two roads, Eric, from Coldback to Middalhof, one by the
bridle-path over Coldback and the other down Golden Falls; but I never
knew traveller to choose this way. Now, I bid thee to