manifesting a growing desire to hurl goblets at the heads of all who
looked at him,--that the courtier had judged it discreet to absent
himself from the next meal. He now stood arraying himself from a pile of
furs, and talking with Tyrker, who sat near him blinking in the
fire-glow. Save a couple of house-thralls scrubbing at the lower end of
the room, no one else was present, Eric having started on his morning
round of the stables, the smithies, and the cow-houses.

As he pulled on his fur gloves, Leif smiled satirically. "It is a good
thing that I was present last summer when King Olaf converted Kjartan
the Icelander. It was then I learned that those who cannot be dealt with
by force may often be led by the nose without their knowing it. Olaf
said to the fellow, 'The God I worship does not wish that any should be
brought to Him by force. As you are averse to the doctrines of
Christianity, you may depart in peace.' Whereupon Kjartan immediately
replied: 'In this manner I may be induced to be a Christian.' So,
because I have kept my promise to speak no more concerning Christianity,
men have become curious about it, and yesterday two chiefs came of their
own will and asked me questions concerning it."

Tyrker poked his head out to say "So?" then snuggled back into his wraps
again, to chuckle contentedly. He was so wound up in furs that he looked
like a sharp little needle in a fuzzy haystack.

Leif's smile gave way to a frown. "Another man came to me also, on a
different errand,--Ragner Thorkelsson,--it may be that you saw him? He
wished to make a bargain concerning Helga."

Alwin gave a great start, so that the leather thong snapped in his hand;
but his master went on unheeding.