“Ah, the good old days of peace and order!”
“More than ever, now, the doubt works in me whether it is Helvin’s good training or his bad temper that will be uppermost.”
“It is not to be looked for that he will get tame counsel from his new friend,” returned the man who had spoken first. “My son, who brought the tidings home last week, says that already the forester has fought with Olaf, Thorgrim’s son, and so won his way to great love with the young courtmen, who are all jealous of Olaf’s favor with Starkad’s daughter.”
The chorus interrupted him, growling in their beards.
“Though he came off with honor from the young men, still it is not settled that he will fare in the same way with us!”
“No man has brought back such accomplishments as Olaf the French—”
“It is plain in everything that little good-will come from this sea-rover’s son—”
“I am getting curious to see him.”
“You will not have to wait long—”
“As soon as this pine-mast of a hunter gets out of the road—”