s a good name,
and I have seen the smoke of your kitchen from the ship. But one thing
you shall understand. I make no presents, I give nothing where I go--not
a rag and not an ounce. Where I stay, I work for my upkeep; and as I am
strong as a man and hardy as an ox, they that have had the keeping of me
were the better pleased."

It was a hard job for Aud to keep her countenance, for she was like to
have wept. And yet she felt it would be unseemly to eat her invitation;
and like a shallow woman and one that had always led her husband by the
nose, she told herself she would find some means to cajole Thorgunna and
come by her purpose after all. So she put a good face on the thing, had
Thorgunna into the boat, her and her two great chests, and brought her
home with her to the hall by the beach.

All the way in she made much of the wife; and when they were arrived gave
her a locked bed-place in the hall, where was a bed, a table, and a
stool, and space for the two chests.

"This shall be yours while you stay here," said Aud. And she attended on
her guest.

Now Thorgunna opened the second chest and took out her bedding--sheets of
English linen, the like of it never seen, a cover of quilted silk, and
curtains of purple wrought with silver. At the sight of these Aud was
like one distracted, greed blinded her mind; the cry rose strong in her
throat, it must out.

"What will you sell your bedding for?" she cried, and her cheeks were
hot.

Thorgunna looked upon her with a dusky countenance. "Truly you are a
courteous hostess," said she, "but I will not sleep on straw for your
amusement."

At that Aud's two ears grew hot as her cheeks; and she took Thorgunna at
her word; and left her from that time in peace.

The woman was as good as her spoken word. Inside the house and out she
wrought like three, and all that she put her hand to was well done. When
she milked, the cows yielded beyond custom; when she made hay, it was
always dry weather; when she took her turn at the cooking, the folk
licked their spoons. Her manners when she pleased were outside
imitation, like one that had sat with kings in their high buildings. It
seemed she was pious too, and the day never passed but she was in the
church there praying. The rest was not so well. She was of few words,
and never one about her kin and fortunes. Gloom sat on her brow, and she
was ill to cross. Behind her back they gave her the name of the Waif
Woman or t