"Mayhap," says Helga, "Rolf remembers also that boast of thine." "Aye," says Grani. "And mayhap," Helga says, "he sends these trials only to test thee, for it is clear that they are of design." "So I have thought," Grani answers. "Either it is that, or it is revenge; yet Rolf has no spite in him." "Greatly dost thou praise him," Helga says. "Not overmuch," quoth Grani. "And now I will say I repent my pride when I refused his friendship: first at Hawksness, when he had done me that slight hurt, and then on the ship. But I have most shame that I offered him no atonement when I was prosperous here in Iceland, and he was in hiding." "Go to him now," cries Helga. "Ask forgiveness!" Grani answers: "I asked it not when I might with honor; it were cowardice to do so when I am under his feet." Now Helga wished to argue against that; but their father called them, complaining, and there was no more of their talk. But Grani, while Helga tended on Einar, ground corn in the handmill (but there was little of the grain left) and sang this song: "Once I, most fortunate, Met swords in fight. Now, sin to expiate, I show this plight: Grind corn to make my bread.-- Evil pursues my head." And it seemed to him that scarce ever had a warrior, not in thraldom, come to such fortune. Then when he had ground enough meal for another day he stacked the grain carefully against the weather, and went about other tasks, and that night slept soundly. But in the morning, waking with the first light, he heard as it were a scuffling of feet close outside the door; when he opened he saw sheep there, a small flock, eating eagerly at the grain, which was almost all gone. In despair he rushed out upon them, and drove them away; they all fled before him but one lean old ram, who stood his ground and still would eat. Then Grani took a club and smote the ram, and wounded it, so that it ran away. Next he saw how at a little distance were Hallvard and Hallmund, who came and excused them of the doings of the sheep, which had strayed while the men slept. Grani answered nothing, though his sister wept; but Einar was nigh out of his mind for anger and despair, and cursed those twain, and Rolf their master, until Grani took him and led him into the house, when those two drove the sheep away. Einar was so spent with rage that he fell at last in a stupor; and Grani went and gathered all that remained of the grain. There were but two measures of it left.