Then Hrapp said, "'Twas just luck that swayed the balance, when he got stripes who ought to bear them; and she dragged you under disgrace and hardship, but us away from them."
"Little good luck was there in that," says Helgi, "to break faith with the Earl, and to take to thee instead."
"Thinkest thou not that thou hast some amends to seek from me?" says Hrapp, "I will atone thee in a way that, methinks, were fitting."
"The only dealings we shall have," says Helgi, "will be those which will not stand thee in good stead."
"Don't bandy words with Hrapp," said Skarphedinn, "but give him a red skin for a grey."[41]
"Hold thy tongue, Skarphedinn," said Hrapp, "or I will not spare to bring my axe on thy head."
"'Twill be proved soon enough, I dare say," says Skarphedinn, "which of us is to scatter gravel over the other's head."
"Away with you home, ye 'Dung-beardlings!'" says Hallgerda, "and so we will call you always from this day forth; but your father we will call 'the Beardless Carle'."
They did not fare home before all who were there had made themselves guilty of uttering those words, save Thrain; he forbade men to utter them.
Then Njal's sons went away, and fared till they came home; then they told their father.