and Thurid said
she had better, and Hrefna did so. When Kalf saw that he gave her to
understand that she had done amiss, and bade her take it off at her
swiftest. "For that is the one thing that we, Kjartan and I, do not
own in common." And as he said this Kjartan came into the booth. He
had heard their talk, and fell in at once and told them there was
nothing amiss. So Hrefna sat still with the head-dress on. Kjartan
looked at her heedfully and said, "I think the coif becomes you very
well, Hrefna," says he, "and I think it fits the best that both
together, coif and maiden, be mine." Then Hrefna answered, "Most
people take it that you are in no hurry to marry, and also that the
woman you woo, you will be sure to get for wife." Kjartan said it
would not matter much whom he married, but he would not stand being
kept long a waiting wooer by any woman. "Now I see that this gear
suits you well, and it suits well that you become my wife." Hrefna now
took off the head-dress and gave it to Kjartan, who put it away in a
safe place. Gudmund and Thurid asked Kjartan to come north to them for
a friendly stay some time that winter, and Kjartan promised the
journey. Kalf Asgeirson betook himself north with his father. Kjartan
and he now divided their partnership, and that went off altogether in
good-nature and friendship. [Sidenote: Kjartan goes to Herdholt]
Kjartan also rode from his ship westward to the Dales, and they were
twelve of them together. Kjartan now came home to Herdholt, and was
joyfully received by everybody. Kjartan had his goods taken to the
west from the ship during the autumn. The twelve men who rode with
Kjartan stayed at Herdholt all the winter. Olaf and Osvif kept to the
same wont of asking each other to their house, which was that each
should go to the other every other autumn. That autumn the wassail was
to be at Laugar, and Olaf and all the Herdholtings were to go thither.
Gudrun now spoke to Bolli, and said she did not think he had told her
the truth in all things about the coming back of Kjartan. Bolli said
he had told the truth about it as best he knew it. Gudrun spoke little
on this matter, but it could be easily seen that she was very
displeased, and most people would have it that she still was pining
for Kjartan, although she tried to hide it. Now time glides on till
the autumn feast was to be held at Laugar. Olaf got ready and bade
Kjartan come with him. Kjartan said he would stay at home and look
aft