In the saga of Egill Skallagrim’s son is a story that shows us how that some of the closed bedchambers contained more than one sleeping place. Egill, who lived in Iceland, had lost his son Bödvar, who was drowned. The grief of the old man was excessive. He retired to his locked-up bedchamber, fastened himself in, and, lying down, refused food. After three days had elapsed, his wife, in serious concern, sent for his married daughter, Thorgerthr, who, on entering the house, said loud enough to be heard, “I intend not to touch food till I reach the halls of Freya. I can do naught better than follow my father’s example.” Then she knocked at the opening into the lokhvila, and called, “Father, open, I desire to travel the same road with you.”
The old man let her in, and she laid herself down on another bed in the same enclosed place.
After some hours had passed in silence, Egill said, “Daughter, you are munching something.”
“Yes, father. It is sol (alga saccharina). It shortens life. Will you have some?”
“If it does that, I will.”
Then she gave him some of the seaweed. He chewed it, and naturally both became very thirsty.
Presently Thorgerthr said she must taste a drop of water. She rose, went to the door, and called for water. Her mother brought a drinking horn. Thorgerthr took a slender draught, and offered the horn to her father.
“Certainly,” said he, “that weed has parched my throat with thirst.” So he lifted the horn with both hands, and drained it.