"Then it is an ill saying for us," said Gudruda, laying her hand upon
her breast.

"Saying good or ill, so it surely is, girl," answered Asmund. "No more
shalt thou go a-kissing, in the snow or in the flowers."

"Now I seem to hear Swanhild's voice," she said. "Well, such things have
happened to better folk, and a father's wish is to a maid what the wind
is to the grass. Still, the sun is behind the cloud and it will shine
again some day. Till then, Eric, fare thee well!"

"It is not thy will, lord," said Eric, "that I should come to thy
Yule-feast as thou hast asked me these ten years past?"

Now Asmund grew wroth, and pointed with his hand towards the great
Golden Falls that thunder down the mountain named Stonefell that is
behind Middalhof, and there are no greater water-falls in Iceland.

"A man may take two roads, Eric, from Coldback to Middalhof, one by the
bridle-path over Coldback and the other down Golden Falls; but I never
knew traveller to choose this way. Now, I bid thee to my feast by the
path over Golden Falls; and, if thou comest that way, I promise thee
this: if thou livest I will greet thee well, and if I find thee dead
in the great pool I will bind on thy Hell-shoes and lay thee to earth
neighbourly fashion. But if thou comest by any other path, then my
thralls shall cut thee down at my door." And he stroked his beard and
laughed.

Now Asmund spoke thus mockingly because he did not think it possible
that any man should try the path of the Golden Falls.