The priest, who was a serious priest, and came from the south, was interested in Gudrid, and wanted her to confess and communicate; but she would not. "No, I couldn't do that," she said, "without asking my foster-mother."
"Ask her, then, my daughter," said the priest.
"But she would have to ask my father," said Gudrid, "who would not allow it."
"But your father is a Christian, surely?" said the priest.
"Certainly he is a Christian. He went into the river to be one."
"Then he will order you to do your duty."
Gudrid shook her head. "No, no. He would not like it at all."
The priest spoke to Halldis about it, and scared her. "It is not the custom here," she said, "but I will ask Orme." The priest himself asked Orme, who rubbed his chin. "One thing at a time is a good rule," he said. "We in Iceland are not much given to private talks between men and women. Husband and wife is all very well. And Thorbeorn is a peculiar man. I recommend you to wait for a little. These are early days for new customs."
The priest was vexed. He did not care to be called a man.