Einar said, "I can't tell you. He must have drifted south of Greenland, south and by west. I believe that he crossed the western ocean, which no man has ever yet done. It is a notable deed—but a thousand pities that he made no landing."
But Gudrid still gazed at him, and into him. "And will you not go yourself, and seek out that new country?"
Einar said, "I have often thought of it. It would be a fine adventure.
But just now I have another adventure in my mind, which may delay me.
"And what adventure is that?"
Einar said, "I cannot tell you at the moment. It is not a settled thing by any means."
Halldis looked at Orme, and Orme nodded his head.
After that Einar saw much of Gudrid, and used to tell her tales of the sea. He was busy, of course, most of the day, but found time in the evenings; and in the mornings, too, he had the habit of going to church at Mass-time and kneeling behind her. She was pleased to find him there, and the first time showed it plainly. After that she was more than pleased, but careful not to show it. They used to walk home together, and sometimes did not go the straight road, but went round by the frith and looked at Einar's ship lying out at her moorings, swaying with the tide.
One day, looking at the ship there, Gudrid asked him again what his adventure was, and whether anything was settled. No, he said, nothing was settled; but he hoped it might be settled soon. "It does not depend altogether upon me," he said. "My mind was made up at once."
"But," said Gudrid, "if that adventure were settled and done with, would you not then think of seeking the new country which Biorn saw?"
"Well, I might do that," Einar replied. "But a man tires of the sea after a time, and I have had plenty of it. I am very well off, you must know. I might set up my house-pillars, and find me a wife."