132 Norway and the Norwegians 



minute's pause, comes some commonplace greeting or 

 commonplace observation. 



' Fine day.' 



' Ay, pretty well.' 



Then another minute's pause. 



' Will ye take summut ? ' and so forth. 



All the while they know that they have met for a 

 particular purpose. Each one is as well aware as his 

 companion of the nature of the bargain or the business 

 which has brought them together. 



Compare with this picture from to-day the account 

 of the negotiations for a marriage between two Ice- 

 landic families. It is Glum who, with his brother 

 Thorarin, has come to demand the hand of Hallgerda, 

 daughter of one Hauskuld, and niece of Hrut. 



'They [Glum aud Thorarin] gathered men together 

 and rode off, ten in company, west to the dale, and 

 came to Hauskuldsttede. Hauskuld gave them a hearty 

 welcome, and they stayed there that night. But early 

 next morning Hauskuld sends for Hrut, and he came 

 thither at once ; and Hauskuld was out of doors when 

 Hrut rode into the farm. Then Hauskuld told Hrut 

 what men had come thither. 



' What may it be that they want ? ' says Hrut. 



' As yet,' says Hauskuld, ' they have not let out to 

 me that they have any business.' 



' Still,' says Hrut, ' their business must be with thee. 

 They will ask the hand of thy daughter Hallgerda. If 

 they do, what answer wilt thou make ? ' 



The family affection which exists among these men 

 is a very pleasant feature of life in the Saga-age ; though 

 it has its antithesis in the awful persistence with which 



