Then Dromund put his arms out of bed, and when he saw them Grettir burst out laughing, for they were so thin and scraggy.
"Upon my word, brother, I never saw such a wretched pair of tongs in my life," he said.
"They may be a pair of tongs, old boy," answered Dromund, "but they are tongs that shall ever be extended to help you when in need. And," added Dromund in a lower tone, "if it should ever befall you that your ill-luck should overmaster you, and you not die in your bed; then, Grettir, I promise you, if I am alive, that I shall not let this pair of tongs rest till, with them, I have avenged you."
No more is related of their talk together. The spring wore on, and in summer Grettir took ship.
The brothers parted with much affection, and they never again saw each other's face.
CHAPTER XX.
OF WHAT BEFELL AT BIARG.
Thorbiorn's Servant—Ali at Biarg—Seeking a Quarrel—A Fair Answer—Atli's Dilemma—Thorbiorn's Revenge—The Slaying of Atli—Atli's Grave
Whilst Grettir was in Norway, that ill-luck which pursued him did not fail to touch and trouble his Icelandic home as well.
It will be remembered that Grettir had been forced to fight the Slowcoach, and had killed him. Now the cousin of this man was Thorbiorn Oxmain, who lived in the Ramsfirth. This Thorbiorn had got a serving-man named Ali, a somewhat lazy man, strong, but unruly. As he did his work badly, and was slow about it, his master rebuked him, and when rebukes failed, he threatened him. Threats also proved unavailing, so Thorbiorn one day took the stick to his back, and beat him till he danced. After this Ali would remain no longer in his service; he ran away, crossed the ridge to the Midfiord, and came to Biarg, where he presented himself before Atli, who asked him what he wanted.