The Waif Woman

by Robert Louis Stevenson

　　(1916)

　　This unpublished story, preserved among Mrs. Stevenson's papers, ismentioned by Mr. Balfour in his life of Stevenson. Writing of the fableswhich Stevenson began before he had left England and "attacked again, andfrom time to time added to their number" in 1893, Mr. Balfour says: "Thereference to Odin [Fable XVII] perhaps is due to his reading of theSagas, which led him to attempt a tale in the same style, called 'TheWaif Woman.'"

　　THE WAIF WOMANA CUEFROM A SAGA

　　This is a tale of Iceland, the isle of stories, and of a thing thatbefell in the year of the coming there of Christianity.In the spring of that year a ship sailed from the South Isles to traffic,and fell becalmed inside Snowfellness. The winds had speeded her; shewas the first comer of the year; and the fishers drew alongside to hearthe news of the south, and eager folk put out in boats to see themerchandise and make prices. From the doors of the hall on Frodis Water,the house folk saw the ship becalmed and the boats about her, coming andgoing; and the merchants from the ship could see the smoke go up and themen and women trooping to their meals in the hall.The goodman of that house was called Finnward Keelfarer, and his wife Audthe Light-Minded; and they had a son Eyolf, a likely boy, and a daughterAsdis, a slip of a maid. Finnward was well-to-do in his affairs, he keptopen house and had good friends. But Aud his wife was not so muchconsidered: her mind was set on trifles, on bright clothing, and theadmiration of men, and the envy of women; and it was thought she was notalways so circumspect in her bearing as she might have been, but nothingto hurt.On the evening of the second day men came to the house from sea. Theytold of the merchandise in the ship, which was well enough and to be hadat easy rates, and of a waif woman that sailed in her, no one could tellwhy, and had chests of clothes beyond comparison, fine coloured stuffs,finely woven, the best that ever came into that island, and gewgaws for aqueen. At the hearing of that Aud's eyes began to glisten. She wentearly to bed; and the day was not yet red before she was on the beach,had a boat launched, and was pulling to the ship. By the way she lookedclosely at all boats, but there was no woman in any; and at that she wasbetter pleased, for she had no fear of the men.When they came to the ship, boats were there already, and the merchantsand the shore folk sat and jested and chaffered in the stern. But in thefore part of the ship, the woman sat alone, and looked before her sourlyat the sea. They called her Thorgunna. She was as tall as a man andhigh in flesh, a buxom wife to look at. Her hair was of the dark red,time had not changed it. Her face was dark, the cheeks full, and thebrow smooth. Some of the merchants told that she was sixty years of ageand others laughed and said she was but forty; but they spoke of her inwhispers, for they seemed to think that she was ill to deal with and notmore than ordinary canny.Aud went to where she sat and made her welcome to Iceland. Thorgunna didthe honours of the ship. So for a while they carried it on, praising andwatching each other, in the way of women. But Aud was a little vessel tocontain a great longing, and presently the cry of her heart came out ofher."The folk say," says she, "you have the finest women's things that evercame to Iceland?" and as she spoke her eyes grew big."It would be strange if I had not," quoth Thorgunna. "Queens have nofiner."So Aud begged that she might see them.Thorgunna looked on her askance. "Truly," said she, "the things are forno use but to be shown." So she fetched a chest and opened it. Here wasa cloak of the rare scarlet laid upon with silver, beautiful beyondbelief; hard by was a silver brooch of basket work that was wrought asfine as any shell and was as broad as the face of the full moon; and Audsaw the clothes lying folded in the chest, of all the colours of the day,and fire, and precious gems; and her heart burned with envy. So, becauseshe had so huge a mind to buy, she began to make light of themerchandise."They are good enough things," says she, "though I have better in mychest at home. It is a good enough cloak, and I am in need of a newcloak." At that she fingered the scarlet, and the touch of the finestuff went to her mind like singing. "Come," says she, "if it were onlyfor your civility in showing it, what will you have for your cloak?""Woman," said Thorgunna, "I am no merchant." And she closed the chestand locked it, like one angry.Then Aud fell to protesting and caressing her. That was Aud's practice;for she thought if she hugged and kissed a person none could say her nay.Next she went to flattery, said she knew the things were too noble forthe like of her--they were made for a stately, beautiful woman likeThorgunna; and at that she kissed her again, and Thorgunna seemed alittle pleased. And now Aud pled poverty and begged for the cloak in agift; and now she vaunted the wealth of her goodman and offered ouncesand ounces of fine silver, the price of three men's lives. Thorgunnasmiled, but it was a grim smile, and still she shook her head. At lastAud wrought herself into extremity and wept."I would give my soul for it," she cried."Fool!" said Thorgunna. "But there have been fools before you!" And alittle after, she said this: "Let us be done with beseeching. The thingsare mine. I was a fool to show you them; but where is their use, unlesswe show them? Mine they are and mine they shall be till I die. I havepaid for them dear enough," said she.Aud saw it was of no avail; so she dried her tears, and asked Thorgunnaabout her voyage, and made believe to listen while she plotted in herlittle mind. "Thorgunna," she asked presently, "do you count kin withany folk in Iceland?""I count kin with none," replied Thorgunna. "My kin is of the greatest,but I have not been always lucky, so I say the less.""So that you have no house to pass the time in till the ship return?"cries Aud. "Dear Thorgunna, you must come and live with us. My goodmanis rich, his hand and his house are open, and I will cherish you like adaughter."At that Thorgunna smiled on the one side; but her soul laughed within herat the woman's shallowness. "I will pay her for that word daughter,"she thought, and she smiled again."I will live with you gladly," says she, "for your house has a good name,and I have seen the smoke of your kitchen from the ship. But one thingyou shall understand. I make no presents, I give nothing where I go--nota rag and not an ounce. Where I stay, I work for my upkeep; and as I amstrong as a man and hardy as an ox, they that have had the keeping of mewere the better pleased."It was a hard job for Aud to keep her countenance, for she was like tohave wept. And yet she felt it would be unseemly to eat her invitation;and like a shallow woman and one that had always led her husband by thenose, she told herself she would find some means to cajole Thorgunna andcome by her purpose after all. So she put a good face on the thing, hadThorgunna into the boat, her and her two great chests, and brought herhome with her to the hall by the beach.All the way in she made much of the wife; and when they were arrived gaveher a locked bed-place in the hall, where was a bed, a table, and astool, and space for the two chests."This shall be yours while you stay here," said Aud. And she attended onher guest.Now Thorgunna opened the second chest and took out her bedding--sheets ofEnglish linen, the like of it never seen, a cover of quilted silk, andcurtains of purple wrought with silver. At the sight of these Aud waslike one distracted, greed blinded her mind; the cry rose strong in herthroat, it must out."What will you sell your bedding for?" she cried, and her cheeks werehot.Thorgunna looked upon her with a dusky countenance. "Truly you are acourteous hostess," said she, "but I will not sleep on straw for youramusement."At that Aud's two ears grew hot as her cheeks; and she took Thorgunna ather word; and left her from that time in peace.The woman was as good as her spoken word. Inside the house and out shewrought like three, and all that she put her hand to was well done. Whenshe milked, the cows yielded beyond custom; when she made hay, it wasalways dry weather; when she took her turn at the cooking, the folklicked their spoons. Her manners when she pleased were outsideimitation, like one that had sat with kings in their high buildings. Itseemed she was pious too, and the day never passed but she was in thechurch there praying. The rest was not so well. She was of few words,and never one about her kin and fortunes. Gloom sat on her brow, and shewas ill to cross. Behind her back they gave her the name of the WaifWoman or the Wind Wife; to her face it must always be Thorgunna. And ifany of the young men called her mother, she would speak no more thatday, but sit apart in the hall and mutter with her lips."This is a queer piece of goods that we have gotten," says FinnwardKeelfarer, "I wish we get no harm by her! But the good wife's pleasuremust be done," said he, which was his common word.When she was at work, Thorgunna wore the rudest of plain clothes, thoughever clean as a cat; but at night in the hall she was more dainty, forshe loved to be admired. No doubt she made herself look well, and manythought she was a comely woman still, and to those she was alwaysfavourable and full of pleasant speech. But the more that some pleasedher, it was thought by good judges that they pleased Aud the less.When midsummer was past, a company of young men upon a journey came tothe house by Frodis Water. That was always a great day for Aud, whenthere were gallants at table; and what made this day the greater, Alf ofthe Fells was in the company, and she thought Alf fancied her. So besure Aud wore her best. But when Thorgunna came from the bed-place, shewas arrayed like any queen and the broad brooch was in her bosom. Allnight in the hall these women strove with each other; and the littlemaid, Asdis, looked on, and was ashamed and knew not why. But Thorgunnapleased beyond all; she told of strange things that had befallen in theworld; when she pleased she had the cue to laughter; she sang, and hervoice was full and her songs new in that island; and whenever she turned,the eyes shone in her face and the brooch glittered at her bosom. Sothat the young men forgot the word of the merchants as to the woman'sage, and their looks followed her all night.Aud was sick with envy. Sleep fled her; her husband slept, but she satupright beside him in the bed, and gnawed her fingers. Now she began tohate Thorgunna, and the glittering of the great brooch stood before herin the dark. "Sure," she thought, "it must be the glamour of thatbrooch! She is not so fair as I; she is as old as the dead in thehillside; and as for her wit and her songs, it is little I think ofthem!" Up she got at that, took a light from the embers, and came to herguest's bed-place. The door was locked, but Aud had a master-key andcould go in. Inside, the chests were open, and in the top of one thelight of her taper shone upon the glittering of the brooch. As a dogsnatches food she snatched it, and turned to the bed. Thorgunna lay onher side; it was to be thought she slept, but she talked the while toherself, and her lips moved. It seemed her years returned to her inslumber, for her face was grey and her brow knotted; and the open eyes ofher stared in the eyes of Aud. The heart of the foolish woman died inher bosom; but her greed was the stronger, and she fled with that whichshe had stolen.When she was back in bed, the word of Thorgunna came to her mind, thatthese things were for no use but to be shown. Here she had the broochand the shame of it, and might not wear it. So all night she quaked withthe fear of discovery, and wept tears of rage that she should have sinnedin vain. Day came, and Aud must rise; but she went about the house likea crazy woman. She saw the eyes of Asdis rest on her strangely, and atthat she beat the maid. She scolded the house folk, and, by her way ofit, nothing was done aright. First she was loving to her husband andmade much of him, thinking to be on his good side when trouble came. Thenshe took a better way, picked a feud with him, and railed on the poor mantill his ears rang, so that he might be in the wrong beforehand. Thebrooch she hid without, in the side of a hayrick. All this whileThorgunna lay in the bed-place, which was not her way, for by custom shewas early astir. At last she came forth, and there was that in her facethat made all the house look one at the other and the heart of Aud to bestraitened. Never a word the guest spoke, not a bite she swallowed, andthey saw the strong shudderings take and shake her in her place. Yet alittle, and still without speech, back she went into her bad-place, andthe door was shut."That is a sick wife," said Finnward, "Her weird has come on her."And at that the heart of Aud was lifted up with hope.All day Thorgunna lay on her bed, and the next day sent for Finnward."Finnward Keelfarer," said she, "my trouble is come upon me, and I am atthe end of my days."He made the customary talk."I have had my good things; now my hour is come; and let suffice," quothshe. "I did not send for you to hear your prating."Finnward knew not what to answer, for he saw her soul was dark."I sent for you on needful matters," she began again. "I die here--I!--inthis black house, in a bleak island, far from all decency and proper waysof man; and now my treasure must be left. Small pleasure have I had ofit, and leave it with the less!" cried she."Good woman, as the saying is, needs must," says Finnward, for he wasnettled with that speech."For that I called you," quoth Thorgunna. "In these two chests are muchwealth and things greatly to be desired. I wish my body to be laid inSkalaholt in the new church, where I trust to hear the mass-priestssinging over my head so long as time endures. To that church I will youto give what is sufficient, leaving your conscience judge of it. Myscarlet cloak with the silver, I will to that poor fool your wife. Shelonged for it so bitterly, I may not even now deny her. Give her thebrooch as well. I warn you of her; I was such as she, only wiser; I warnyou, the ground she stands upon is water, and whoso trusts her leans onrottenness. I hate her and I pity her. When she comes to lie where Ilie--" There she broke off. "The rest of my goods I leave to your black-eyed maid, young Asdis, for her slim body and clean mind. Only thethings of my bed, you shall see burned.""It is well," said Finnward."It may be well," quoth she, "if you obey. My life has been a wonder toall and a fear to many. While I lived none thwarted me and prospered.See to it that none thwart me after I am dead. It stands upon yoursafety.""It stands upon my honour," quoth Finnward, "and I have the name of anhonourable man.""You have the name of a weak one," says Thorgunna. "Look to it, look toit, Finnward. Your house shall rue it else.""The rooftree of my house is my word," said Finnward."And that is a true saying," says the woman. "See to it, then. Thespeech of Thorgunna is ended."With that she turned her face against the wall and Finnward left her.The same night, in the small hours of the clock, Thorgunna passed. Itwas a wild night for summer, and the wind sang about the eaves and cloudscovered the moon, when the dark woman wended. From that day to this noman has learned her story or her people's name; but be sure the one wasstormy and the other great. She had come to that isle, a waif woman, ona ship; thence she flitted, and no more remained of her but her heavychests and her big body.In the morning the house women streaked and dressed the corpse. Thencame Finnward, and carried the sheets and curtains from the house, andcaused build a fire upon the sands. But Aud had an eye on her man'sdoings."And what is this that you are at?" said she.So he told her."Burn the good sheets!" she cried. "And where would I be with my twohands? No, troth," said Aud, "not so long as your wife is above ground!""Good wife," said Finnward, "this is beyond your province. Here is myword pledged and the woman dead I pledged it to. So much the more am Ibound. Let me be doing as I must, goodwife.""Tilly-valley!" says she, "and a fiddlestick's end, goodman! You mayknow well about fishing and be good at shearing sheep for what I know;but you are little of a judge of damask sheets. And the best word I cansay is just this," she says, laying hold of one end of the goods, "thatif ye are made up to burn the plenishing, you must burn your wife alongwith it.""I trust it will not go so hard," says Finnward, "and I beg you not tospeak so loud and let the house folk hear you.""Let them speak low that are ashamed!" cries Aud. "I speak only inreason.""You are to consider that the woman died in my house," says Finnward,"and this was her last behest. In truth, goodwife, if I were to fail, itis a thing that would stick long in my throat, and would give us an illname with the neighbours.""And you are to consider," says she, "that I am your true wife and worthall the witches ever burnt, and loving her old husband"--here she put herarms about his neck. "And you are to consider that what you wish to dois to destroy fine stuff, such as we have no means of replacing; and thatshe bade you do it singly to spite me, for I sought to buy this beddingfrom her while she was alive at her own price; and that she hated mebecause I was young and handsome.""That is a true word that she hated you, for she said so herself beforeshe wended," says Finnward."So that here is an old faggot that hated me, and she dead as a bucket,"says Aud; "and here is a young wife that loves you dear, and is aliveforby"--and at that she kissed him--"and the point is, which are you todo the will of?"The man's weakness caught him hard, and he faltered. "I fear some hurtwill come of it," said he.There she cut in, and bade the lads tread out the fire, and the lassesroll the bed-stuff up and carry it within."My dear," says he, "my honour--this is against my honour."But she took his arm under hers, and caressed his hand, and kissed hisknuckles, and led him down the bay. "Bubble-bubble-bubble!" says she,imitating him like a baby, though she was none so young. "Bubble-bubble,and a silly old man! We must bury the troll wife, and here is troubleenough, and a vengeance! Horses will sweat for it before she comes toSkalaholt; 'tis my belief she was a man in a woman's habit. And so now,have done, good man, and let us get her waked and buried, which is morethan she deserves, or her old duds are like to pay for. And when that isended, we can consult upon the rest."So Finnward was but too well pleased to put it off.The next day they set forth early for Skalaholt across the heaths. Itwas heavy weather, and grey overhead; the horses sweated and neighed, andthe men went silent, for it was nowhere in their minds that the dead wifewas canny. Only Aud talked by the way, like a silly sea-gull piping on acliff, and the rest held their peace. The sun went down before they wereacross Whitewater; and the black night fell on them this side ofNetherness. At Netherness they beat upon the door. The goodman was notabed nor any of his folk, but sat in the hall talking; and to themFinnward made clear his business."I will never deny you a roof," said the goodman of Netherness. "But Ihave no food ready, and if you cannot be doing without meat, you muste'en fare farther."They laid the body in a shed, made fast their horses, and came into thehouse, and the door was closed again. So there they sat about thelights, and there was little said, for they were none so well pleasedwith their reception. Presently, in the place where the food was kept,began a clattering of dishes; and it fell to a bondman of the house to goand see what made the clatter. He was no sooner gone than he was backagain; and told it was a big, buxom woman, high in flesh and naked as shewas born, setting meats upon a dresser. Finnward grew pale as the dawn;he got to his feet, and the rest rose with him, and all the party of thefuneral came to the buttery-door. And the dead Thorgunna took no heed oftheir coming, but went on setting forth meats, and seemed to talk withherself as she did so; and she was naked to the buff.Great fear fell upon them; the marrow of their back grew cold. Not oneword they spoke, neither good nor bad; but back into the hall, and downupon their bended knees, and to their prayers."Now, in the name of God, what ails you?" cried the goodman ofNetherness.And when they had told him, shame fell upon him for his churlishness."The dead wife reproves me," said the honest man.And he blessed himself and his house, and caused spread the tables, andthey all ate of the meats that the dead wife laid out.This was the first walking of Thorgunna, and it is thought by good judgesit would have been the last as well, if men had been more wise.The next day they came to Skalaholt, and there was the body buried, andthe next after they set out for home. Finnward's heart was heavy, andhis mind divided. He feared the dead wife and the living; he feareddishonour and he feared dispeace; and his will was like a sea-gull in thewind. Now he cleared his throat and made as if to speak; and at that Audcocked her eye and looked at the goodman mocking, and his voice diedunborn. At the last, shame gave him courage."Aud," said he, "yon was a most uncanny thing at Netherness.""No doubt," said Aud."I have never had it in my mind," said he, "that yon woman was the thingshe should be.""I dare say not," said Aud. "I never thought so either.""It stands beyond question she was more than canny," says Finnward,shaking his head. "No manner of doubt but what she was ancient of mind.""She was getting pretty old in body, too," says Aud."Wife," says he, "it comes in upon me strongly this is no kind of womanto disobey; above all, being dead and her walking. I think, wife, wemust even do as she commanded.""Now what is ever your word?" says she, riding up close and setting herhand upon his shoulder. "'The goodwife's pleasure must be done'; is notthat my Finnward?""The good God knows I grudge you nothing," cried Finnward. "But my bloodruns cold upon this business. Worse will come of it!" he cried, "worsewill flow from it!""What is this todo?" cries Aud. "Here is an old brimstone hag thatshould have been stoned with stones, and hated me besides. Vainly shetried to frighten me when she was living; shall she frighten me now whenshe is dead and rotten? I trow not. Think shame to your beard, goodman!Are these a man's shoes I see you shaking in, when your wife rides byyour bridle-hand, as bold as nails?""Ay, ay," quoth Finnward. "But there goes a byword in the country:Little wit, little fear."At this Aud began to be concerned, for he was usually easier to lead. Sonow she tried the other method on the man."Is that your word?" cried she. "I kiss the hands of ye! If I have notwit enough, I can rid you of my company. Wit is it he seeks?" she cried."The old broomstick that we buried yesterday had wit for you."So she rode on ahead and looked not the road that he was on.Poor Finnward followed on his horse, but the light of the day was goneout, for his wife was like his life to him. He went six miles and wastrue to his heart; but the seventh was not half through when he rode upto her."Is it to be the goodwife's pleasure?" she asked."Aud, you shall have your way," says he; "God grant there come no ill ofit!"So she made much of him, and his heart was comforted.When they came to the house, Aud had the two chests to her own bed-place,and gloated all night on what she found. Finnward looked on, and troubledarkened his mind."Wife," says he at last, "you will not forget these things belong toAsdis?"At that she barked upon him like a dog."Am I a thief?" she cried. "The brat shall have them in her turn whenshe grows up. Would you have me give her them now to turn her minx'shead with?"So the weak man went his way out of the house in sorrow and fell to hisaffairs. Those that wrought with him that day observed that now he wouldlabour and toil like a man furious, and now would sit and stare like onestupid; for in truth he judged the business would end ill.For a while there was no more done and no more said. Aud cherished hertreasures by herself, and none was the wiser except Finnward. Only thecloak she sometimes wore, for that was hers by the will of the dead wife;but the others she let lie, because she knew she had them foully, and shefeared Finnward somewhat and Thorgunna much.At last husband and wife were bound to bed one night, and he was thefirst stripped and got in. "What sheets are these?" he screamed, as hislegs touched them, for these were smooth as water, but the sheets ofIceland were like sacking."Clean sheets, I suppose," says Aud, but her hand quavered as she woundher hair."Woman!" cried Finnward, "these are the bed-sheets of Thorgunna--theseare the sheets she died in! do not lie to me!"At that Aud turned and looked at him. "Well?" says she, "they have beenwashed."Finnward lay down again in the bed between Thorgunna's sheets, andgroaned; never a word more he said, for now he knew he was a coward and aman dishonoured. Presently his wife came beside him, and they lay still,but neither slept.It might be twelve in the night when Aud felt Finnward shudder so strongthat the bed shook."What ails you?" said she."I know not," he said. "It is a chill like the chill of death. My soulis sick with it." His voice fell low. "It was so Thorgunna sickened,"said he. And he arose and walked in the hall in the dark till it camemorning.Early in the morning he went forth to the sea-fishing with four lads. Audwas troubled at heart and watched him from the door, and even as he wentdown the beach she saw him shaken with Thorgunna's shudder. It was arough day, the sea was wild, the boat laboured exceedingly, and it may bethat Finnward's mind was troubled with his sickness. Certain it is thatthey struck, and their boat was burst, upon a skerry under Snowfellness.The four lads were spilled into the sea, and the sea broke and buriedthem, but Finnward was cast upon the skerry, and clambered up, and satthere all day long: God knows his thoughts. The sun was half-way down,when a shepherd went by on the cliffs about his business, and spied a manin the midst of the breach of the loud seas, upon a pinnacle of reef. Hehailed him, and the man turned and hailed again. There was in that coveso great a clashing of the seas and so shrill a cry of sea-fowl that theherd might hear the voice and nor the words. But the name Thorgunna cameto him, and he saw the face of Finnward Keelfarer like the face of an oldman. Lively ran the herd to Finnward's house; and when his tale was toldthere, Eyolf the boy was lively to out a boat and hasten to his father'said. By the strength of hands they drove the keel against the seas, andwith skill and courage Eyolf won upon the skerry and climbed up, Theresat his father dead; and this was the first vengeance of Thorgunnaagainst broken faith.It was a sore job to get the corpse on board, and a sorer yet to bring ithome before the rolling seas. But the lad Eyolf was a lad of promise,and the lads that pulled for him were sturdy men. So the break-faith'sbody was got home, and waked, and buried on the hill. Aud was a goodwidow and wept much, for she liked Finnward well enough. Yet a bird sangin her ears that now she might marry a young man. Little fear that shemight have her choice of them, she thought, with all Thorgunna's finethings; and her heart was cheered.Now, when the corpse was laid in the hill, Asdis came where Aud satsolitary in hall, and stood by her awhile without speech."Well, child?" says Aud; and again "Well?" and then "Keep us holy, if youhave anything to say, out with it!"So the maid came so much nearer, "Mother," says she, "I wish you wouldnot wear these things that were Thorgunna's.""Aha," cries Aud. "This is what it is? You begin early, brat! And whohas been poisoning your mind? Your fool of a father, I suppose." Andthen she stopped and went all scarlet. "Who told you they were yours?"she asked again, taking it all the higher for her stumble. "When you aregrown, then you shall have your share and not a day before. These thingsare not for babies."The child looked at her and was amazed. "I do not wish them," she said."I wish they might be burned.""Upon my word, what next?" cried Aud. "And why should they be burned?""I know my father tried to burn these things," said Asdis, "and he namedThorgunna's name upon the skerry ere he died. And, O mother, I doubtthey have brought ill luck."But the more Aud was terrified, the more she would make light of it.Then the girl put her hand upon her mother's. "I fear they are ill comeby," said she.The blood sprang in Aud's face. "And who made you a judge upon yourmother that bore you?" cried she."Kinswoman," said Asdis, looking down, "I saw you with the brooch.""What do you mean? When? Where did you see me?" cried the mother."Here in the hall," said Asdis, looking on the floor, "the night youstole it."At that Aud let out a cry. Then she heaved up her hand to strike thechild. "You little spy!" she cried. Then she covered her face, andwept, and rocked herself. "What can you know?" she cried. "How can youunderstand, that are a baby, not so long weaned? He could--your fathercould, the dear good man, dead and gone! He could understand and pity,he was good to me. Now he has left me alone with heartless children!Asdis," she cried, "have you no nature in your blood? You do not knowwhat I have done and suffered for them. I have done--oh, and I couldhave done anything! And there is your father dead. And after all, youask me not to use them? No woman in Iceland has the like. And you wishme to destroy them? Not if the dead should rise!" she cried. "No, no,"and she stopped her ears, "not if the dead should rise, and let that endit!"So she ran into her bed-place, and clapped at the door, and left thechild amazed.But for all Aud spoke with so much passion, it was noticed that for longshe left the things unused. Only she would be locked somewhile daily inher bed-place, where she pored on them and secretly wore them for herpleasure.Now winter was at hand; the days grew short and the nights long; andunder the golden face of morning the isle would stand silver with frost.Word came from Holyfell to Frodis Water of a company of young men upon ajourney; that night they supped at Holyfell, the next it would be atFrodis Water; and Alf of the Fells was there, and Thongbrand Ketilson,and Hall the Fair. Aud went early to her bed-place, and there she poredupon these fineries till her heart was melted with self-love. There wasa kirtle of a mingled colour, and the blue shot into the green, and thegreen lightened from the blue, as the colours play in the ocean betweendeeps and shallows: she thought she could endure to live no longer andnot wear it. There was a bracelet of an ell long, wrought like a serpentand with fiery jewels for the eyes; she saw it shine on her white arm andher head grew dizzy with desire. "Ah!" she thought, "never were finelendings better met with a fair wearer." And she closed her eyelids, andshe thought she saw herself among the company and the men's eyes go afterher admiring. With that she considered that she must soon marry one ofthem and wondered which; and she thought Alf was perhaps the best, orHall the Fair, but was not certain, and then she remembered FinnwardKeelfarer in his cairn upon the hill, and was concerned. "Well, he was agood husband to me," she thought, "and I was a good wife to him. Butthat is an old song now." So she turned again to handling the stuffs andjewels. At last she got to bed in the smooth sheets, and lay, andfancied how she would look, and admired herself, and saw others admireher, and told herself stories, till her heart grew warm and she chuckledto herself between the sheets. So she shook awhile with laughter; andthen the mirth abated but not the shaking; and a grue took hold upon herflesh, and the cold of the grave upon her belly, and the terror of deathupon her soul. With that a voice was in her ear: "It was so Thorgunnasickened." Thrice in the night the chill and the terror took her, andthrice it passed away; and when she rose on the morrow, death hadbreathed upon her countenance.She saw the house folk and her children gaze upon her; well she knew why!She knew her day was come, and the last of her days, and her last hourwas at her back; and it was so in her soul that she scarce minded. Allwas lost, all was past mending, she would carry on until she fell. Soshe went as usual, and hurried the feast for the young men, and railedupon her house folk, but her feet stumbled, and her voice was strange inher own ears, and the eyes of the folk fled before her. At times, too,the chill took her and the fear along with it; and she must sit down, andthe teeth beat together in her head, and the stool tottered on the floor.At these times, she thought she was passing, and the voice of Thorgunnasounded in her ear: "The things are for no use but to be shown," it said."Aud, Aud, have you shown them once? No, not once!"And at the sting of the thought her courage and strength would revive,and she would rise again and move about her business.Now the hour drew near, and Aud went to her bed-place, and did on thebravest of her finery, and came forth to greet her guests. Was neverwoman in Iceland robed as she was. The words of greeting were yetbetween her lips, when the shuddering fell upon her strong as labour, anda horror as deep as hell. Her face was changed amidst her finery, andthe faces of her guests were changed as they beheld her: fear puckeredtheir brows, fear drew back their feet; and she took her doom from thelooks of them, and fled to her bed-place. There she flung herself on thewife's coverlet, and turned her face against the wall.That was the end of all the words of Aud; and in the small hours on theclock her spirit wended. Asdis had come to and fro, seeing if she mighthelp, where was no help possible of man or woman. It was light in thebed-place when the maid returned, for a taper stood upon a chest. Therelay Aud in her fine clothes, and there by her side on the bed the bigdead wife Thorgunna squatted on her hams. No sound was heard, but itseemed by the movement of her mouth as if Thorgunna sang, and she wavedher arms as if to singing."God be good to us!" cried Asdis, "she is dead.""Dead," said the dead wife."Is the weird passed?" cried Asdis."When the sin is done the weird is dreed," said Thorgunna, and with thatshe was not.But the next day Eyolf and Asdis caused build a fire on the shore betwixttide-marks. There they burned the bed-clothes, and the clothes, and thejewels, and the very boards of the waif woman's chests; and when the tidereturned it washed away their ashes. So the weird of Thorgunna waslifted from the house on Frodis Water.

　　THE END.* * * * * * * * * * * *