Salka Valka by Halldor Laxness

11

A grumble ran through the room that evening when Arnaldur Björnsson read the workers' union Jóhann Bogesen's final answer, a total rejection of all their proposals. Several people spoke up and said that there was no point in going on like this. Three women sprang up suddenly, cursed Bolshevism and said that they would start washing fish again first thing next morning, with all three talking at once. They also raised the question: how could any Christian individual bear to look on as the fish lay rotting? But before other women got the opportunity to express their opinion on this matter, Arnaldur interjected. At first, he tried to play upon his listeners' feelings, and told the women that the fish that spoiled were less to be pitied than the children who were starving, but now the situation was such that they no longer needed to fear starvation, and as proof of this, he drew from his pocket a number of telegrams from workers' unions throughout the country, cordially wishing them the best of luck with their strike, expressing admiration for the heroism of the people of Óseyri and stating that fundraising was now being done to support the families of strikers here in the village. They should expect the money to arrive within a few days.