Even therewith they see six folk riding down below in the dale, and one in coloured clothes, and they guessed that there would goodwife Thorbiorg be going from Waterfirth; and so it was, and she was going to the mountain-dairy. Now she was a very stirring woman, and exceeding wise; she had the ruling of the neighbourhood, and settled all matters, when Vermund was from home. Now she turned to where the men were gathered, and was helped off her horse, and the bonders gave her good welcome.
Then said she, "What have ye here? or who is the big-necked one who sits in bonds yonder?"
Grettir named himself, and greeted her.
She spake again, "What drove thee to this, Grettir," says she, "that thou must needs do riotously among my Thing-men?"
"I may not look to everything; I must needs be somewhere," said he.
"Great ill luck it is," says she, "that these milksops should take thee in such wise that none should fall before thee. What are ye minded to do with him?"
The bonders told her that they were going to tie him up to the gallows for his lawlessness.
She answers, "Maybe Grettir is guilty enough therefor, but it is too great a deed for you, Icefirthers, to take his life, for he is a famous man, and of mighty kin, albeit he is no lucky man; but now what wilt thou do for thy life, Grettir, if I give it thee?"
He answered, "What sayest thou thereto?"