an other women, Olaf.
Also because it has not pleased me to marry, as it is held natural that
all women should do if they have the chance."

"Why are you wiser, and why have you not married, Freydisa?"

"I am wiser because I have questioned things more than most, and to
those who question answers come at last. And I am not married because
another woman took the only man I wanted before I met him. That was my
bad luck. Still, it taught me a great lesson, namely, how to wait and
meanwhile to acquire understanding."

"What understanding have you acquired, Freydisa? For instance, does it
tell you that our gods of wood and stone are true gods which rule the
world? Or are they but wood and stone, as sometimes I have thought?"

"Then think no more, Olaf, for such thoughts are dangerous. If Leif,
your uncle, Odin's high priest, heard them, what might he not say or do?
Remember that whether the gods live or no, certainly the priest lives,
and on the gods, and if the gods went, where would the priest be? Also,
as regards these gods--well, whatever they may or may not be, at least
they are the voices that in our day speak to us from that land whence we
came and whither we go. The world has known millions of days, and each
day has its god--or its voice--and all the voices speak truth to those
who can hear them. Meanwhile, you are a fool to have sent Steinar
bearing your gift to Iduna. Or perhaps you are very wise. I cannot say
as yet. When I learn I will tell you."

Then again she shrugged her shoulders and left me wondering what she
meant by her dark sayings. I can see her going now, a wooden bowl in her
hand, and in it a horn spoon of which the handle was cracked longways,
and thus in my mind ends all the scene of my sickness after the slaying
of the white bear.

The next thing that I remember is the coming of the men of Agger. This
cannot have been very long after Steinar went to Lesso, for he had not
yet returned. Being still weak from my great illness, I was seated
in the sun in the shelter of the house, wrapped up in a cloak of
deerskins--for the northern wind blew bitter. By me stood my father, who
was in a happy mood now he knew that I should live and be strong again.

"Steinar should be back by now," I said to him. "I trust that he has
come by no ill."

"Oh no," answered my father carelessly. "For seven days the wind has
been high, and doubtless Athalbrand fears to let him sail from Lesso."

"Or perhaps Stein