upon him for his churlishness.

"The dead wife reproves me," said the honest man.

And he blessed himself and his house, and caused spread the tables, and
they all ate of the meats that the dead wife laid out.

This was the first walking of Thorgunna, and it is thought by good judges
it would have been the last as well, if men had been more wise.

The next day they came to Skalaholt, and there was the body buried, and
the next after they set out for home. Finnward's heart was heavy, and
his mind divided. He feared the dead wife and the living; he feared
dishonour and he feared dispeace; and his will was like a sea-gull in the
wind. Now he cleared his throat and made as if to speak; and at that Aud
cocked her eye and looked at the goodman mocking, and his voice died
unborn. At the last, shame gave him courage.

"Aud," said he, "yon was a most uncanny thing at Netherness."

"No doubt," said Aud.

"I have never had it in my mind," said he, "that yon woman was the thing
she should be."

"I dare say not," said Aud. "I never thought so either."

"It stands beyond question she was more than canny," says Finnward,
shaking his head. "No manner of doubt but what she was ancient of mind."

"She was getting pretty old in body, too," says Aud.

"Wife," says he, "it comes in upon me strongly this is no kind of woman
to disobey; above all, being dead and her walking. I think, wife, we
must even do as she commanded."

"Now what is ever your word?" says she, riding up close and setting her
hand upon his shoulder. "'The goodwife's pleasure must be done'; is not
that my Finnward?"

"The good God knows I grudge you nothing," cried Finnward. "But my blood
runs cold upon this business. Worse will come of it!" he cried, "worse
will flow from it!"

"What is this todo?" cries Aud. "Here is an old brimstone hag that
should have been stoned with stones, and hated me besides. Vainly she
tried to frighten me when she was living; shall she frighten me now when
she is dead and rotten? I trow not. Think shame to your beard, goodman!
Are these a man's shoes I see you shaking in, when your wife rides by
your bridle-hand, as bold as nails?"

"Ay, ay," quoth Finnward. "But there goes a byword in the country:
Little wit, little fear."

At this Aud began to be concerned, for he was usually easier to lead. So
now she tried the other method on the man.

"Is that your word?" cried she. "I kiss the hands of ye! If I have n