ook it ill
that there should be such a fuss. Thorberg, it seemed, must have a
high seat; she must be escorted to the feast; she must have her
particular food, dressed just so; she must be treated with great
respect, let alone, never crossed, never importuned. And he a
Christian! "Heathen customs!" he said. "Friend, you shall have me
excused. These things smell of brimstone. I could not be present by
any means, and don't desire that Gudrid should be involved."

But Heriolf scouted him. "Hey," he said, "please yourself! But as for
Gudrid, let her alone. Why should she not hear what the world has to
say to her? What harm can come to a good girl? All kinds make this
world."

Gudrid, whose hair he pulled, as he spoke, in a very friendly way,
seeing his eyes twinkling and his lips twitching, coloured, but said
that she should like to be at the feast. It was true, but apart from
the truth, she would not hurt Heriolf's feelings.

"Of course you would like it," said Heriolf, greatly pleased. "I never
knew a handsome girl yet who did not like to be told about it.
Thorberg thinks a deal of handsome persons. You will find that she has
a wonder-deal to tell about you. And perhaps we shall learn what my
son Biorn means to do with himself when he comes home here, and finds a
flower in the garth." Gudrid coloured more than ever at this; but she
liked it. Thorbeorn waved his hand before him as though to brush
gossamer from his path, and stalked away with his chin in the air, and
his beard jutting out like a willow in the wind. He kept his word,
though; and took himself to bed when the feast began.

These were the preparations made for Thorberg's visit. A high seat was
set for her at the right hand of Heriolf's own, and upon it a cushion
worked with runes and dragons in knots, stuffed with hen's feathers.
That had to be wherever she went. Then she must sit in the chief place
at the table, beside the giver of the feast, and her food must be seen
to. First she must have a mess of oats seethed in kids' milk; then,
for her meat, a dish made of the hearts of animals. Gizzards, too, of
birds, and their livers, must be in it. There were to be set for her a
brass spoon, and an ivory-hilted knife with rings of bronze upon the
handle. She had a great horn for a beaker, adorned with silver; and
then her drink was to be hot mead, with spices and apples floating in
it. Heriolf saw to everything.

When all was ready, and