“Sell to me,” said the covetous matron, “this fair bed furniture.”

“Believe me,” answered Thorgunna, “I will not lie upon straw in order to feed thy pomp and vanity;” an answer which so greatly displeased Thurida that she never again repeated her request.  Thorgunna, to whose character subsequent events added something of a mystical solemnity, is described as being a woman of a tall and stately appearance, of a dark complexion, and having a profusion of black hair.  She was advanced in age; assiduous in the labours of the field and of the loom; a faithful attendant upon divine worship; grave, silent, and solemn in domestic society.  She had little intercourse with the household of Thorodd, and showed particular dislike to two of its inmates.  These were Thorer, who, having lost a leg in the skirmish between Thorbiorn and Thorarin the Black, was called Thorer-Widlegr (wooden-leg), from the substitute he had adopted; and his wife, Thorgrima, called Galldra-Kinna (wicked sorceress), from her supposed skill in enchantments.  Kiartan, the son of Thurida, a boy of excellent promise, was the only person of the household to whom Thorgunna showed much affection; and she was much vexed at times when the childish petulance of the boy made an indifferent return to her kindness.

After this mysterious stranger had dwelt at Froda for some time, and while she was labouring in the hay-field with other members of the family, a sudden cloud from the northern mountain led Thorodd to anticipate a heavy shower.  He instantly commanded the hay-workers to pile up in ricks the quantity which each had been engaged in turning to the wind.  It was afterwards remembered that Thorgunna did not pile up her portion, but left it spread on the field.  The cloud approached with great celerity, and sank so heavily around the farm, that it was scarce possible to see beyond the limits of the field.  A heavy shower next descended, and so soon as the clouds broke away and the sun shone forth it was observed that it had rained blood.  That which fell upon the ricks of the other labourers soon dried up, but what Thorgunna had wrought upon remained wet with gore.  The unfortunate Hebridean, appalled at the omen, betook herself to her bed, and was seized with a mortal illness.  On the approach of death she summoned Thorodd, her landlord, and intrusted to him the disposition of her property and effects.

“Let my body,” said she, “be transported to Skalholt, for my mind presages that in that place shall be founded the most distinguished church in this island.  Let my golden ring be given to the priests who shall celebrate my obsequies, and do thou indemnify thyself for the funeral charges out of my remaining effects.  To thy wife I bequeath my purple mantle, in order that, by this sacrifice to her avarice, I may secure the right of disposing of the rest of my effects at my own pleasure.  But for my bed, with its coverings, hangings, and furniture, I entreat they may be all consigned to the flames.  I do not desire this because I envy any one the possession of these things after my death, but because I wish those evils to be avoided which I plainly foresee will happen if my will be altered in the slightest particular.”