reward Thorfinn, for that he took thee a needy man from shipwreck and
has held thee through the winter as a free man."

Grettir said, "It would be better to take the wet clothes off these
guests than to scold at me; since for that thou mayst have time long
enough."

Then said Thorir, "Be not cross-grained, mistress; nought shall thou
miss thy husband's being away, for a man shall be got in his place
for thee, yea, and for thy daughter a man, and for each of the
home-women."

"That is spoken like a man," said Grettir, "nor will they thus have
any cause to bewail their lot."

Now all the women rushed forth from the hall smitten with huge dread
and weeping; then said Grettir to the bearserks, "Give into my hands
what it pleases you to lay aside of weapons and wet clothes, for the
folk will not be yielding to us while they are scared."

Thorir said he heeded not how women might squeal; "But," said he,
"thee indeed we may set apart from the other home-folk, and methinks
we may well make thee our man of trust."

"See to that yourselves," said Grettir, "but certes I do not take to
all men alike."

Thereupon they laid aside the more part of their weapons, and
thereafter Grettir said--