Now three brothers are named in the story. One was called Thorarin, the second Ragi, and the third Glum. They were the sons of Olof the Halt, and were men of much worth and of great wealth in goods. Thorarin's surname was Ragi's brother; he had the Speakership of the Law after Rafn Heing's son. He was a very wise man, and lived at Varmalek, and he and Glum kept house together. Glum had been long abroad; he was a tall, strong, handsome man. Ragi their brother was a great manslayer. Those brothers owned in the south Engey and Laugarness. One day the brothers Thorarin and Glum were talking together, and Thorarin asked Glum whether he meant to go abroad, as was his wont?
He answered, "I was rather thinking now of leaving off trading voyages."
"What hast thou then in thy mind? Wilt thou woo thee a wife?"
"That I will," says he, "if I could only get myself well matched."
Then Thorarin told off all the women who were unwedded in Borgarfirth, and asked him if he would have any of these, "Say the word, and I will ride with thee!"
But Glum answered, "I will have none of these."
"Say then the name of her thou wishest to have," says Thorarin.
Glum answered, "If thou must know, her name is Hallgerda, and she is Hauskuld's daughter away west in the dales."
"Well," says Thorarin, "'tis not with thee as the saw says, `be warned by another's woe'; for she was wedded to a man, and she plotted his death."
Glum said, "Maybe such ill-luck will not befall her a second time, and sure I am she will not plot my death. But now, if thou wilt show me any honour, ride along with me to woo her."