There
were no ladies with them, and for that I was glad. Two great fires
burnt on hearths on either side of the hall, halfway down its
length, and at this end sat at their trestle tables the thralls and
herdsmen and fishers of the house. Beyond the fires and below the
high place were the courtmen on either hand, so that from end to
end of the hall ran a clear way for the serving. With them were
their wives and daughters here and there, and there were many women
with the lesser folk nearer us as we entered. Some were carrying
round the ale jugs, and stood still to see us enter.
Asbiorn and his men left us even as the door opened, and went
quickly to the rear of the hall. I could see only one other door,
and that opened behind the high seat, being meant for the ladies of
the house, so that they could pass to the bower without going down
the noisy hall. It led to the open gallery round the building,
whence it was but a step to the bower.
Very bright and pleasant it all was, with the light flashing red on
the courtmen's arms on the walls behind them, and the glow of the
two great pine-log fires on the gay dresses of the women. And
Arnkel himself, a big man with long, reddish hair and bristling
beard, looked at his ease altogether, as he turned a laughing face
to see the guests who came.
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