ach other so dearly that
neither thought he could enjoy himself if they were not together.
Thorstein received Kjartan with loving kindness, and said he should be
glad for his staying there a long rather than a short time. So Kjartan
stayed awhile at Burg. [Sidenote: Kjartan arranges to leave Iceland]
That summer there was a ship standing up in Steam-river-Mouth, and
this ship belonged to Kalf Asgeirson, who had been staying through the
winter with Thorstein, Egil's son. Kjartan told Thorstein in secret
that his chief errand to the south then was, that he wished to buy the
half of Kalf's ship, "for I have set my mind on going abroad," and he
asked Thorstein what sort of a man he thought Kalf was. Thorstein said
he thought he was a good man and true. "I can easily understand," said
Thorstein, "that you wish to see other men's ways of life, and your
journey will be remark-able in one way or another, and your kinsfolk
will be very anxious as to how the journey may speed for you." Kjartan
said it would speed well enough. After that Kjartan, bought a half
share in Kalf's ship, and they made up half-shares partnership between
them; Kjartan was to come on board when ten weeks of summer had
passed. Kjartan was seen off with gifts on leaving Burg, and he and
Bolli then rode home. When Olaf heard of this arrangement he said he
thought Kjartan had made up his mind rather suddenly, but added that
he would not foreclose the matter. A little later Kjartan rode to
Laugar to tell Gudrun of his proposed journey abroad. Gudrun said,
"You have decided this very suddenly, Kjartan," and she let fall
sundry words about this, from which Kjartan got to understand that
Gudrun was displeased with it. Kjartan said, "Do not let this
displease you. I will do something else that shall please you." Gudrun
said, "Be then a man of your word, for I shall speedily let you know
what I want." Kjartan bade her do so. [Sidenote: Kjartan goes to
Norway] Gudrun said, "Then, I wish to go out with you this summer; if
that comes off, you would have made amends to me for this hasty
resolve, for I do not care for Iceland." Kjartan said, "That cannot
be, your brothers are unsettled yet, and your father is old, and they
would be bereft of all care if you went out of the land; so you wait
for me three winters." Gudrun said she would promise nothing as to
that matter, and each was at variance with the other, and therewith
they parted. Kjartan rode home. Olaf rode to the