ARRANGEMENT OF GUESTS. 279 



with her husband Bolli and his sons were with him. The 

 next morning, as they walked along the hall, a woman stated 

 how the women should be seated ; at this time Gudrun stood 

 opposite to the bed where Kjartan Olat'sson slept, Kjartan 

 was dressing, and put on a scarlet kirtle; he said to the 

 woman who had spoken about the seats, for no one was quicker 

 to answer than he: ' Hrefna shall sit in the high-seat, and be 

 most honoured in every respect while I am alive.' Gudrun 

 had always before sat in the high-seat at Hjardarholt and 

 elsewhere. She heard this, and looked at Kjartan and turned 

 pale, but said nothing" (Laxdsela, c. 46). 



The guests sometimes drew lots for the place of honour. 

 Two brothers, Hreidar and Ivar, had a Yule-feast at Nes, in 

 Vors, in Norway. 



" Twelve guests were to sit together, and lots were drawn 

 about who should sit next to Astrid, the daughter of Vigfus 

 hersir ; Eyjolf, an Icelander who was on a visit, always drew 

 the lot to sit at her side ; no one noticed that they talked 

 more to each other than other people ; but many said it would 

 end in her becoming his wife. The least was magnificent, and 

 the people were sent away .with gifts " (Vigaglum's Saga, c. 4). 



Men and women sometimes went in pairs to the festive 

 board, and sat together 011 the same seat. The pride of the 

 high-born girls was very great, and none but brave men 

 could claim the privilege of leading them to their seats. 

 Occasionally the women drank together with the men. 



" Egil and bis brother Thorolf were on a Viking expedition, 

 and went to Halland. As they did not ravage there, Arnfid 

 jarl invited them to a feast, and they went, with thirty men 

 from their ships. Before the tables were put up, the jarl said 

 that the seats would be allotted there; that men ami women 

 should drink together, as many as could, but those who were 

 without companions should drink by themselves. They placed 

 the lots in a cloth, and the jarl picked them out. He had a 

 very handsome daughter, then well full-grown. The lots fell 

 so that Egil should sit at her side that evening .... Egil 

 rose and took her seat. When the men sat down in their 

 places, the jaii's daughter sang : 



What wilt thou. do, lad, in my Thou didst not see the raven in the 



seat ? autumn 



For seldom hast thou given Croak over the heap of carrion ; 



A wolf warm flesh ; Thou wert not where 



I want to be seated alone. Shell-thin edges met. 



