“No, my dear,” he answered. “And I am getting old. When the little lad here has grown a bit, I may do as a playmate for him, but little more. But we ought to be getting home.”
All five rode off together. Not a word was spoken until they reached the cross-road where Ketill and his Wife turned off to take the short path to Hof.
The three continued on their way in silence.
Ørlygur was glad that the meeting had been got over; sooner or later Runa would have had to meet Ketill, and it was well that it was done. He rode up beside her.
“You managed splendidly,” he said. “I have never seen a woman so brave and strong.”
Runa made no answer, but Ørlygur read her silence as expressing thanks.
Some way farther on she rode up to him again; he understood that she had something particular to say. She rode at his side for a little distance without speaking, then, leaning towards him, she said in a low voice:
“The past is forgotten.”
And they rode on in silence. But, despite her words, Ørlygur was not quite at his ease.
Later, when they arrived at Borg, and he saw how Ormarr helped his wife tenderly from her horse, and kissed her, the tears rose to his eyes, and he thanked God that these two, united in misfortune, seemed now, at least, to be living happily together in love.