Now came the man, who edged through the door with a great bundle of logs for the fire, which he cast down without looking at me, only saying:
"Ho, Rolf! back again so early? Where is the Jarl?"
Now I knew that he was a Dane, and so I answered in his own way:
"Not Rolf, but a stranger who has made free with Rolf's dinner."
Whereat the man laughed, setting hands on hips and staring at me.
"So it is!" he said; "settle that matter with brother Rolf when he comes in, for strangers are scarce here."
Then he scanned my dress closely, and maybe saw that they were sea stained, though hunting gear is made for hard wear and shows little.
"Let me eat first," he said, sitting down, "and then we will talk."
But after he had taken a few mouthfuls, he asked:
"Are there any more of you about?"