broaches the wooing on behalf of Olaf, and asks for the hand of
Thorgerd. She was also at the Thing. Egil took the matter well, and
said he had always heard both father and son well spoken of, "and I
also know, Hoskuld," said Egil, "that you are a high-born man and of
great worth, and Olaf is much renowned on account of his journey, and
it is no wonder that such men should look high for a match, for he
lacks neither family nor good looks; but yet this must be talked over
with Thorgerd, for it is no man's task to get Thorgerd for wife
against her will." Hoskuld said, "I wish, Egil, that you would talk
this over with your daughter." Egil said that that should be done.
[Sidenote: Thorgerd's refusal] Egil now went away to find his
daughter, and they talked together. Egil said, "There is here a man
named Olaf, who is Hoskuld's son, and he is now one of the most
renowned of men. Hoskuld, his father, has broached a wooing on behalf
of Olaf, and has sued for your hand; and I have left that matter
mostly for you to deal with. Now I want to know your answer. But it
seems to me that it behoves you to give a good answer to such a
matter, for this match is a noble one." Thorgerd answered, "I have
often heard you say that you love me best of all your children, but
now it seems to me you make that a falsehood if you wish me to marry
the son of a bonds-woman, however goodly and great a dandy he may be."
Egil said, "In this matter you are not so well up, as in others. Have
you not heard that he is the son of the daughter of Myrkjartan, king
of Ireland? so that he is much higher born on his mother's side than
on his father's, which, however, would be quite good enough for us."
Thorgerd would not see this; and so they dropped the talk, each being
somewhat of a different mind. The next day Egil went to Hoskuld's
booth. Hoskuld gave him a good welcome, and so they fell a-talking
together. Hoskuld asked how this wooing matter had sped. Egil held out
but little hope, and told him all that had come to pass. Hoskuld said