Salka Valka by Halldor Laxness

23

Love can make people polite, as well. All the roughness between Salka and Arnaldur now disappeared entirely from their talk and behavior toward each other; no further comments were made for the purpose of masking their delicate feelings. Who would have believed it of him, who was so combative at meetings, so relentless when it came to strikes, that he could also have such a childlike face that rested helplessly against her breast at times? Or that she, who was so prudent in money matters, so sharp-toothed in verbal wrangling and so independent vis-à -vis the fishing operations, could become so meek when she stroked his locks and asked, as if talking in her sleep, whether God had ever created a more beautiful head?