THE VISIT TO BERGTHORSKNOLL.
Now it was the custom between Gunnar and Njal, that each made the other
a feast, winter and winter about, for friendship's sake; and it was
Gunnar's turn to go to feast at Njal's. So Gunnar and Hallgerda set off
for Bergthorsknoll, and when they got there Helgi and his wife were not
at home. Njal gave Gunnar and his wife a hearty welcome, and when they
had been there a little while, Helgi came home with Thorhalla his wife.
Then Bergthora went up to the cross-bench, and Thorhalla with her, and
Bergthora said to Hallgerda--
"Thou shalt give place to this woman."
She answered--"To no one will I give place, for I will not be driven
into the corner for any one".
"I shall rule here," said Bergthora, After that Thorhalla sat down, and
Bergthora went round the table with water to wash the guests' hands.
Then Hallgerda took hold of Bergthora's hand, and said--
"There's not much to choose, though, between you two. Thou hast
hangnails on every finger, and Njal is beardless."
"That's true," says Bergthora, "yet neither of us finds fault with the
other for it; but Thorwald, thy husband, was not beardless, and yet thou
plottedst his death."
Then Hallgerda said--"It stands me in little stead to have the bravest
man in Iceland if thou dost not avenge this, Gunnar!"
He sprang up and strode across away from the board, and said--"Home I
will go, and it were more seemly that thou shouldest wrangle with those
of thine own household, and not under other men's roofs; but as for
Njal, I am his debtor for much honour, and never will I be egged on by
thee like a fool".
After that they set off home.
"Mind this, Bergthora," said Hallgerda, "that we shall meet again."
Bergthora said she should not be better off for that. Gunnar said
nothing at all, but went home to Lithend, and was there at home all the
winter. And now the summer was running on towards the Great Thing.