Salka Valka by Halldor Laxness

19

That same day, Kvíar-Jukki came to visit. He sat in the kitchen and sipped coffee from his saucer and munched rock sugar with gusto. He had heard that the steamer had called, and was perhaps checking to make sure that it had brought no other rivals for Sigurlína's affection - he did more thinking than talking. Old Steinunn asked about the weather and the condition of the livestock up in the valley. He gave his fiancée what he himself probably thought was a genial look, blew his nose on his fingers and wiped them on his socks, which were pulled up over his trouser legs, and took another pinch of snuff.