“Thrain,” she says,

  “Gaping mouths are no wise good,
   Goggle eyne are in thy head,”

He rose at once up from the board, and said he would put Thorhillda away, “I will not bear her jibes and jeers any longer;” and he was so quarrelsome about this, that he would not be at the feast unless she were driven away.  And so it was, that she went away; and now each man sat in his place, and they drank and were glad.

Then Thrain began to speak—­“I will not whisper about that which is in my mind.  This I will ask thee, Hauskuld Dalakoll’s son, wilt thou give me to wife Thorgerda, thy kinswoman?”

“I do not know that,” says Hauskuld; “methinks thou art ill parted from the one thou hadst before.  But what kind of man is he, Gunnar?”

Gunnar answers—­“I will not say aught about the man, because he is near of kin; but say thou about him, Njal,” says Gunnar, “for all men will believe it”.

Njal spoke, and said—­“That is to be said of this man, that the man is well to do for wealth, and a proper man in all things.  A man, too, of the greatest mark; so that ye may well make this match with him.”

Then Hauskuld spoke—­“What thinkest thou we ought to do, kinsman Hrut?”

“Thou mayst make the match, because it is an even one for her,” says Hrut.

Then they talk about the terms of the bargain, and are soon of one mind on all points.

Then Gunnar stands up, and Thrain too, and they go to the cross-bench.  Gunnar asked that mother and daughter whether they would say yes to this bargain.  They said they would find no fault with it, and Hallgerda betrothed her daughter.  Then the places of the women were shifted again, and now Thorhalla sate between the brides.  And now the feast sped on well, and when it was over, Hauskuld and his company ride west, but the men of Rangriver rode to their own abode.  Gunnar gave many men gifts, and that made him much liked.

Hallgerda took the housekeeping under her, and stood up for her rights in word and deed.  Thorgerda took to housekeeping at Gritwater, and was a good housewife.

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE VISIT TO BERGTHORSKNOLL.

Now it was the custom between Gunnar and Njal, that each made the other a feast, winter and winter about, for friendship’s sake; and it was Gunnar’s turn to go to feast at Njal’s.  So Gunnar and Hallgerda set off for Bergthorsknoll, and when they got there Helgi and his wife were not at home.  Njal gave Gunnar and his wife a hearty welcome, and when they had been there a little while, Helgi came home with Thorhalla his wife.  Then Bergthora went up to the cross-bench, and Thorhalla with her, and Bergthora said to Hallgerda—­

“Thou shalt give place to this woman.”

She answered—­“To no one will I give place, for I will not be driven into the corner for any one”.

“I shall rule here,” said Bergthora, After that Thorhalla sat down, and Bergthora went round the table with water to wash the guests’ hands.  Then Hallgerda took hold of Bergthora’s hand, and said—­