rettir said to the berserks: "Give me all the things which you want to
lay aside, your weapons and your wet clothes, for the men will not obey
us while they are frightened."

Thorir said he cared little for the women's whining. "But," he said, "we
mean to treat you in a different way from the other men of the house. It
seems to me that we may make a comrade of you."

"See to that yourselves," said Grettir. "But I do not look upon all men
alike."

Then they laid aside most of their weapons. Grettir said: "I think now
you had better sit down at the table and have some drink. You must be
thirsty after your rowing."

They said they were quite ready for a drink, but did not know where the
cellar was. Grettir asked whether they would let him arrange for their
entertainment, which they willingly agreed to. So Grettir went and
fetched some ale which he gave them to drink. They were very tired and
drank enormously. He kept them well plied with the strongest ale there
was, and they sat there for a long time whilst he told them funny
stories. There was a tremendous din amongst them all, and the servants
had no wish to approach them.

Thorir said: "I never yet met with a stranger who treated me like this
man. What reward shall we give you for all that you have done, Grettir?"

Grettir replied: "I don't expect any reward for my services at present.
But if when you depart we are still as good friends as we seem to be
now, I should very much like to join your company, and though I may not
be able to do as much work as any of you, I will not be a hindrance in
any doughty undertaking."

They were delighted, and wanted to swear fellowship with him at once.
Grettir said that could not be, "for," he added, "there is truth in
the saying that Ale is another man, and such a thing should not be done
hastily, so let it remain at what I said; we are both little in the
habit of restraining ourselves."

They declared that they did not mean to go back. The night was now
coming on and it was getting very dark. Grettir noticed that they were
rather fuddled, and asked whether they did not think it was time to go
to bed. Thorir said: "So it is; but I have to fulfil my promise to the
mistress." Grettir then went out and called out loud: "Go to bed, women!
Such is the will of Thorir the bondi."

The women execrated him and could be heard howling like wolves. The
berserks then left the room. Grettir said: "Let us go outside; I will
show you the