low voice. Oswif turned to his son and said--

"Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked
together?"

"Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me. Thou mightst see that
by the way she laughs at every word I say."

"I don't think her laughter so hearty as thou dost," answered Oswif,
"but this will be put to the proof by and by."

So they ride on till they come home, and at night she took her seat by
her husband's side, and made room for Thiostolf next herself on the
inside. Thiostolf and Thorwald had little to do with each other, and few
words were thrown away between them that winter, and so time went on.
Hallgerda was prodigal and grasping, and there was nothing that any of
their neighbours had that she must not have too, and all that she had,
no matter whether it were her own or belonged to others, she waited. But
when the spring came there was a scarcity in the house, both of meal
and stock fish, so Hallgerda went up to Thorwald and said--

"Thou must not be sitting indoors any longer, for we want for the house
both meal and fish."

"Well," said Thorwald, "I did not lay in less for the house this year
than I laid in before, and then it used to last till summer."

"What care I," said Hallgerda, "if thou and thy father have made your
money by starving yourselves."