ON THE HOWE.
Swein was in his own high seat, and while the din lasted ate like
another, looking now and then but shyly through the hearth-smoke at Unn
over against him. At last “Eat, Unna!” he cried, “and take thy supper.
One would think I was a merman, and stared at for a show. Sup thy
porridge, lass, and be hearty.”
“I have supped,” she said, “and supped well.”
“Supped with her eyes,” said old Toli, for here he was, holding out his
empty horn. “A dry supper, but a big one.”
“I’ve seen her eat nought,” said Swein. “What has she supped on?”
“Thee,” said Toli. “Eh, Mistress?”
But Unna, though she was used to the uncourtly ways of her own folk and
could laugh at a rough jest, was less at ease than she had hoped to be.
When the meal began, she had looked lovingly across at her man, making
out his features one by one through the dimness and the smoke, watching
for the open smile that he was used to give her, on such nights as these
of home-coming, when his first hunger was stayed and the feasting was
forward: the free smile and friendly nod that signalled all’s well. But
this time it was long in coming: and she got only the half glances and
the rough and puzzling “Eat, child.” Her eyes filled with tears, and
her mind flew to chances of mishap. There were all the men back, and no
wounds to be seen: the ship was safe: what could it be? Some woman in the
case. What else? And her quick wit, wrong for once, revealed to her, like
a lightning flash, a whole story of dismay.
Men were fed by now, and they drank healths, first to Odin for the
kinsfolk, and then to Niord and Frey for peace and plenty. When they were
come to the cup for Bragi—he was the god of talking and of tale-telling
and song,—it was Swein’s old use and wont to begin the story of his
doings and travellings since the last farewell, and to hold them all till
midnight wrapt in the tale. This time he put down the horn untasted: and
when they waited for him in wonder, suddenly hushed, he thrust the table
from him, and went forth.
Unna looked at Raud her brother who sat by her, signing with her eyes as
much as to say “What now?” and the sign he gave her was a nod toward the
door.
“Aye, mistress,” said Toli, “till him, and wheedle him back. To think of
folk leaving good ale for an idle whim.”
“What then?” she said, flashing back at him, while Raud made room for her.
“Nought that matters: nay, never ask me.”
With a beating heart she went through the porch, and her knees trembled
as she passed. Swein was going slowly through the gate, slackening his
pace, though he neither turned nor looked; but yet it seemed as if he
wanted to be overtaken.
There is a steep path up the cliffs a little to the seaward of the
houses, mounting rapidly at first over the crags by rude steps in the
rock, and then through the great rough stems of ancient fir-trees, and
between thickets of blackberry-brambles, until it comes out upon a clear
space on the top. It is not so far that one need halt to take breath by
the way, and yet lofty enough for the eye to sweep north, south, east and
west, down the firth and up the valley, and across to the far-away fells.
This was Swein’s howe, where he went daily and often-times a day, to
watch the bright line of the sea, if by chance a sail might be made
out, friend or foe or merchant vessel cruising round the coast. There
also he could overlook his land; for the acres of oats and barley and
the hay-fields lay close beneath, around the mouth of Crake. His own
summer pastures were on the fells hard by, and his swine fed in the
woods around. He could see what was doing, and what was left undone,
from that howe: count men and beasts, and hear the sounds of work going
on in smithy or shed. Here he would take counsel with himself about new
dealings with this man and that, and lay his plans and dream over his
enterprises. And when there was trouble or when things went askew, it
was on this howe that he sat to wrestle with his thoughts. And it was
his mind when he should be dead to be buried there and look out from his
grave upon his children and his home, and the kind land that had given
him a resting-place from his wanderings.
He sat down upon the turf seat on the top, and Unna, who had tripped
lightly after him, sat down alongside. He rested both elbows on his knees
as one ashamed to speak, but moved not away. What can it be? was her
thought.
For now the sun was set in the gold half of the sky, and the other half
was clear pansy coloured, with a round moon rising through the fringe of
dusky woods. Below them the tide was flowing in, and the wash of it was
heard in the stillness: the great rings and bows of the river in front
swung about and along over the silvery flats, like the track of a skater
on ice. And against the northern glow far away, sharp violet ridges of
distant mountain stood around them, serene, above the tumbling forest and
rich promontories of Crake and Leven.
Then she slid her arm over his shoulder, and her fingers twitched at the
brooch that fastened his cloak; and it seemed that he was her man still.
The moon had disentangled itself at last, and began to glimmer on the
tide ripple. “Twilight brings talk,” thought Unna, and waited for him to
begin.