mother, lived at Melkorkastead, as has been told before. Hoskuld
looked less after Melkorka's household ways than he used to do, saying
that that matter concerned Olaf, her son. Olaf said he would give her
such help as he had to offer her. [Sidenote: Melkorka's plans]
Melkorka thought Hoskuld had done shamefully by her, and makes up her
mind to do something to him at which he should not be over pleased.
Thorbjorn Skrjup had chiefly had on hand the care of Melkorka's
household affairs. He had made her an offer of marriage, after she had
been an householder for but a little while, but Melkorka refused him
flatly. There was a ship up by Board-Ere in Ramfirth, and Orn was the
name of the captain. He was one of the bodyguard of King Harald,
Gunnhild's son. Melkorka spoke to Olaf, her son, and said that she
wished he should journey abroad to find his noble relations, "For I
have told the truth that Myrkjartan is really my father, and he is
king of the Irish and it would be easy for you betake you on board the
ship that is now at Board-Ere." Olaf said, "I have spoken about it to
my father, but he seemed to want to have but little to do with it; and
as to the manner of my foster-father's money affairs, it so happens
that his wealth is more in land or cattle than in stores of islandic
market goods." [Sidenote: Melkorka's marriage] Melkorka said, "I
cannot bear your being called the son of a slave-woman any longer; and
if it stands in the way of the journey, that you think you have not
enough money, then I would rather go to the length even of marrying
Thorbjorn, if then you should be more willing than before to betake
yourself to the journey. For I think he will be willing to hand out to
you as much wares as you think you may need, if I give my consent to
his marrying me. Above all I look to this, that then Hoskuld will like
two things mightily ill when he comes to hear of them, namely, that
you have gone out of the land, and that I am married." Olaf bade his
mother follow her own counsel. After that Olaf talked to Thorbjorn as