you have been heretofore." Bolli did not answer, but went
forthwith away from this talk. [Sidenote: Kjartan rides to Saurby] All
was quiet now throughout what was left of Lent. The third day after
Easter Kjartan rode from home with one other man, on the beach, for a
follower. They came to Tongue in the day. Kjartan wished Thorarin to
ride with them to Saurby to gather in debts due to him, for Kjartan
had much money-at-call in these parts. But Thorarin had ridden to
another place. Kjartan stopped there awhile, and waited for him. That
same day Thorhalla the Chatterbox was come there. She asked Kjartan
where he was minded to go. He said he was going west to Saurby. She
asked, "Which road will you take?" Kjartan replied, "I am going by
Saelingsdale to the west, and by Swinedale from the west." She asked
how long he would be. Kjartan answered, "Most likely I shall be riding
from the west next Thursday (the fifth day of the week)." "Would you
do an errand for me?" said Thorhalla. "I have a kinsman west at
Whitedale and Saurby; he has promised me half a mark's worth of
homespun, and I would like you to claim it for me, and bring it with
you from the west." Kjartan promised to do this. After this Thorarin
came home, and betook himself to the journey with them. They rode
westward over Saelingsdale heath, and came to Hol in the evening to the
brothers and sister there. There Kjartan got the best of welcomes, for
between him and them there was the greatest friendship. [Sidenote:
Thorhalla returns to Laugar] Thorhalla the Chatterbox came home to
Laugar that evening. The sons of Osvif asked her who she had met
during the day. She said she had met Kjartan Olafson. They asked where
he was going. She answered, telling them all she knew about it, "And
never has he looked braver than now, and it is not wonderful at all
that such men should look upon everything as low beside themselves;"
and Thorhalla still went on, "and it was clear to me that Kjartan
liked to talk of nothing so well as of his land bargain with
Thorarin." Gudrun spoke, "Kjartan may well do things as boldly as it
pleases him, for it is proven that for whatever insult he may pay
others, there is none who dares even to shoot a shaft at him." Present
at this talk of Gudrun and Thorhalla were both Bolli and the sons of
Osvif. Ospak and his brothers said but little, but what there was,
rather stinging for Kjartan, as was always their way. Bolli behaved as
if he did not hear, a