THORWALD GETS HALLGERDA TO WIFE.
Now, it must be told how Hallgerda, Hauskuld's daughter, grows up, and
is the fairest of women to look on; she was tall of stature, too, and
therefore she was called "Longcoat". She was fair-haired, and had so
much of it that she could hide herself in it; but she was lavish and
hard-hearted. Her foster-father's name was Thiostolf; he was a South
islander[6] by stock; he was a strong man, well skilled in arms, and had
slain many men, and made no atonement in money for one of them. It was
said, too, that his rearing had not bettered Hallgerda's temper.
There was a man named Thorwald; he was Oswif's son, and dwelt out on
Middlefells strand, under the Fell. He was rich and well to do, and
owned the islands called Bear-isles, which lie out in Broadfirth, whence
he got meal and stock fish. This Thorwald was a strong and courteous
man, though somewhat hasty in temper. Now, it fell out one day that
Thorwald and his father were talking together of Thorwald's marrying,
and where he had best look for a wife, and it soon came out that he
thought there wasn't a match fit for him far or near.
"Well," said Oswif, "wilt thou ask for Hallgerda Longcoat, Hauskuld's
daughter?"
"Yes! I will ask for her," said Thorwald.
"But that is not a match that will suit either of you," Oswif went on to
say, "for she has a will of her own, and thou art stern-tempered and
unyielding."
"For all that I will try my luck there," said Thorwald, "so it's no good
trying to hinder me."
"Ay!" said Oswif, "and the risk is all thine own."
After that they set off on a wooing journey to Hauskuldstede, and had a
hearty welcome. They were not long in telling Hauskuld their business,
and began to woo; then Hauskuld answered--
"As for you, I know how you both stand in the world, but for my own part
I will use no guile towards you. My daughter has a hard temper, but as
to her looks and breeding you can both see for yourselves."
"Lay down the terms of the match," answered Thorwald, "for I will not
let her temper stand in the way of our bargain."
Then they talked over the terms of the bargain, and Hauskuld never asked
his daughter what she thought of it, for his heart was set on giving her
away, and so they came to an understanding as to the terms of the match.
After that Thorwald betrothed himself to Hallgerda, and rode away home
when the matter was settled.