They asked him humbly whether he would be pleased to return with them that day and take possession of his inheritance, since they must get back forthwith to Agger with their tidings.

He replied that if they would send some or come themselves to escort him on the tenth day from that on which they spoke, he would go to Agger with them, but that until then he could not do so.
"Ten days! In ten days who knows what may happen ?" said their spokesman.
"Such a heritage as yours will not lack for claimants, Lord, especially as Hakon has left nephews behind him." "I know not what will or will not happen," answered Steinar, "but until then I cannot come.

Go now, I pray you, if you must, and bear my words and greetings to the men of Agger, whom soon I hope to meet myself." So they went, as I thought, heavily enough.

A while afterwards my father rose and came into the hall, where from my bed I could see Steinar seated on a stool by the fire brooding.

He asked where the men of Agger were, and Steinar told him what he had done.
"Are you mad, Steinar ?" he asked, "that you have sent them away with such an answer?
Why did you not consult me first ?" "Because you were asleep, Foster-father, and the messengers said they must catch the tide.