But the name Thorgunna came to him, and he saw the face of Finnward Keelfarer like the face of an old man. Lively ran the herd to Finnward’s house; and when his tale was told there, Eyolf the boy was lively to out a boat and hasten to his father’s aid. By the strength of hands they drove the keel against the seas, and with skill and courage Eyolf won upon the skerry and climbed up, There sat his father dead; and this was the first vengeance of Thorgunna against broken faith. p. 35 It was a sore job to get the corpse on board, and a sorer yet to bring it p. 36home before the rolling seas. But the lad Eyolf was a lad of promise, and the lads that pulled for him were sturdy men. So the break-faith’s body was got home, and waked, and buried on the hill. Aud was a good widow and wept much, for she liked Finnward well enough. Yet a bird sang in her ears that now she might marry a young man. Little fear that she might have her choice of them, she thought, with all Thorgunna’s fine things; and her heart was cheered. p. 36 Now, when the corpse was laid in the hill, Asdis came where Aud sat solitary in hall, and stood by her awhile without speech. “Well, child?” says Aud; and again “Well?” and then “Keep us holy, if you have anything to say, out with it!” So the maid came so much nearer, “Mother,” says she, “I wish you would not wear these things that were Thorgunna’s.” “Aha,” cries Aud. “This is what it is? You begin early, brat! And p. 37who has been poisoning your mind? Your fool of a father, I suppose.” And then she stopped and went all scarlet. “Who told you they were yours?” she asked again, taking it all the higher for her stumble. “When you are grown, then you shall have your share and not a day before. These things are not for babies.” p. 37 The child looked at her and was amazed. “I do not wish them,” she said. “I wish they might be burned.” “Upon my word, what next?” cried Aud. “And why should they be burned?” “I know my father tried to burn these things,” said Asdis, “and he named Thorgunna’s name upon the skerry ere he died. And, O mother, I doubt they have brought ill luck.”
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