to be had for the picking up; it is found that she will be particular
in her choice, as well as also her father.” “Well, in spite of that,”
quoth Einar, “she is the woman whom I have it in my mind to propose
for, and I wish that in this suit of mine you approach her father on
my part, and apply yourself to plead diligently[A] for me, for which
I shall pay you in return a perfect friendship. The franklin,
Thorbjorn, may reflect that our families would be suitably joined in
the bonds of affinity; for he is a man in a position of great honour,
and owns a fine abode, but his personal property, I am told, is
greatly on the decrease; neither I nor my father lack lands or
personal property; and if this alliance should be brought about, the
greatest assistance would accrue to Thorbjorn.” Then answered Orm, “Of
a surety I consider myself to be thy friend, and yet am I not willing
to bring forward this suit, for Thorbjorn is of a proud mind, and
withal a very ambitious man.” Einar replied that he desired no other
thing than that his offer of marriage should be made known. Orm then
consented to undertake his suit, and Einar journeyed south again until
he came home. A while after, Thorbjorn had a harvest-feast, as he was
bound to have because of his great rank. There were present Orm, from
Arnarstapi, and many other friends of Thorbjorn. Orm entered into
conversation with Thorbjorn, and told him how that Einar had lately
been to see him from Thorgeirsfjall, and was become a promising man.
He now began the wooing on behalf of Einar, and said that an alliance
between the families would be very suitable on account of certain
interests. “There may arise to thee, franklin,” he said, “great
assistance in thy means from this alliance.” But Thorbjorn answered,
“I did not expect the like proposal from thee, that I should give my
daughter in marriage to the son of a thrall. And so thou perceivest
that my substance is decreasing; well, then, my daughter shall not go
home with thee, since thou considerest her worthy of so poor a match.”