GOSSIP. 365 



that, and I preferred no man to Gisli so there was no dishonour 

 in it ; let us leave off this talk.' And so they did. Thorkel 

 heard every word, and exclaimed : ' Hear great wonders ! hear 

 words of fate ! hear great talk, which will cause the death of 

 one man or more ! ' Thereupon he went away. And said : 

 ' The talk of women often causes evil, and it may be that by 

 this evil will be occasioned ; let us think over what we shall 

 do.' Asgerd said : ' I have bethought myself of an expedient.' 

 ' What is that ? ' asked And. ' I will put my arms around the 

 neck of my husband, Thorkel, when we get into bed this 

 evening and be very affectionate ; his mind will change at 

 this, so that he will forgive me. I will also tell him that this 

 is such a lie, that it is of no consequence though we have 

 babbled about it. But if he should want to make any fuss 

 about it, give me other advice. Or what expedient art thou 

 going to take ? ' . . . In the evening Gisli came home from 

 his work. It was the custom of Thorkel to thank his brother 

 Gisli for the work ; this time he did not, and spoke not a word 

 to him. Gisli asked : ' Art thou not well, brother, as thou art 

 so silent ? ' Thorkel answered : ' I am not sick, but this is 

 worse than sickness.' Gisli asked : ' Have I done anything 

 which thou dislikest, brother ? ' ' Nothing,' said Thorkel. 

 Gisli said : ' It is well, for I would least of all that we should 

 disagree. But nevertheless I should like much to know what 

 is the cause of thy sadness.' Thorkel answered : ' Thou wilt 

 know it, although later.' Gisli went away, and then went to 

 bed. Thorkel retired first. When Asgerd came to bed Thorkel 

 said : ' I do not mean thee to sleep here this night.' She said : 

 'W T hat is more befitting than that I should sleep with my 

 husband ? or why has thy mind changed so soon ? But 

 what is the cause ? ' ' Thou knowest the cause,' said Thorkel, 

 ' and I know it also.' ' What is the need of talking in this 

 way ? ' added she ; ' believe not the foolish talk of us women, for 

 when we are alone we always chatter about things in which 

 there is little truth ; and so it is in this case.' Asgerd then 

 put both arms around his neck, and was very affectionate, and 

 begged him not to believe such things. Thorkel told her to 

 go away. Asgerd said :'...! give thee two choices : either 

 to take as unsaid what we have talked about, and not believe 

 that which is not true ; or that I at once name my witnesses 

 and declare separation from thee. Then I will do what I like, 

 and it may be that thou then wilt have reason to speak of real 

 enmity. I shall let my father claim my mund and dower.' 

 Thorkel was silent, but after a while said : ' I think it is best 

 for thee to creep under there at the bedside to-night.' She 

 got into bed, and they agreed as if nothing had occurred. Aud 



