"I have heard," said Torarin, "great news today. The sea is frozen. It would be a fine thing if we could reach home for once without calling for boat or ferry." The dog was quiet. "And since we shall pass by Solberga parsonage," said Torarin, "I will even put in there and ask if it be true that the ice bears as far as to Marstrand." The dog stood up on the load and raised a terrible howl.