"Yet it was he the woman meant?" asked Rolf.
"Who else?" returned his father.
"How should he," asked the boy, "bring trouble on thee?"
"I see not," answered Hiarandi, "how he should bring either evil or good."
Then he closed his mouth and became thoughtful, in a manner he had. Asdis motioned Rolf to be silent, and nothing more was said in the matter.
CHAPTER III
KIARTAN AT CRAGNESS
On the morning of the fifth day thereafter, as Rolf stood by the gate of the enclosure which protected the farm buildings, he saw a man coming on a horse, and knew him for his father's brother Kiartan. He was a big man, heavily bearded, dressed in bright-colored clothes and hung about with gold chains. His eye was bright and roving; his face was genial, and he looked about him as he came as one who is well contented. Yet Rolf liked him not.
Now Kiartan rode up to the enclosure and saw the boy. "Ho!" he cried, "come hold my horse and stable him." So Rolf took the horse by the bridle and held him while the man dismounted. Then the boy started to lead the beast to the stable.
"Where is thy mistress?" asked Kiartan.
"My mother is in the house," answered Rolf.