allow any man to have the enjoyment of your wealth." Answers Thord,
"No, not quite that though; for I fain would that you should take
over all my goods. That being settled, I will ask to foster your son
Olaf, and leave him all my wealth after my days are done; for I have
no heir here in this land, and I think my means would be better
bestowed then, than that the kinsmen of Vigdis should grab it."
[Sidenote: Thord goes to Hoskuld] To this Hoskuld agreed, and had it
bound by witnesses. This Melkorka took heavily, deeming the fostering
too low. Hoskuld said she ought not to think that, "for Thord is an
old man, and childless, and I wish Olaf to have all his money after
his day, but you can always go to see him at any time you like."
Thereupon Thord took Olaf to him, seven years old, and loved him very
dearly. Hearing this, the men who had on hand the case against Thord
Goddi thought that now it would be even more difficult than before to
lay claim to the money. Hoskuld sent some handsome presents to Thord
Yeller, and bade him not be angry over this, seeing that in law they
had no claim on Thord's money, inasmuch as Vigdis had brought no true
charges against Thord, or any such as justified desertion by her.
"Moreover, Thord was no worse a man for casting about for counsel to
rid himself of a man that had been thrust upon his means, and was as
beset with guilt as a juniper bush is with prickles." But when these
words came to Thord from Hoskuld, and with them large gifts of money,
then Thord allowed himself to be pacified, and said he thought the
money was well placed that Hoskuld looked after, and took the gifts;
and all was quiet after that, but their friendship was rather less
warm than formerly. [Sidenote: Olaf surnamed the Peacock] Olaf grew up
with Thord, and became a great man and strong. He was so handsome that
his equal was not to be found, and when he was twelve years old he
rode to the Thing meeting, and men in other countrysides looked upon
it as a great errand to go, and to wonder at the splendid way he was