The Old Man and his Sons

Heðin Brú’s first novel, Lognbrá (Mirage), published in 1930, gave an account of the development of a boy in a Faroese village. Its sequel, Fastatøkur (Firm Grip), which appeared five years later, recounted the experiences of the hero as a young man on board the cutters.

Feðgar á Ferð (literally Father and Son on the Move), or The Old Man and His Sons, was first published in the original Faroese in 1940. In a light-hearted and witty way

It seemed to him as though God Himself had smitten off his hand; he bowed his head and gave God thanks: ‘I have deserved no better,’ he said. Then he went home with the three birds.

‘I understand, my dear,’ said his wife, seating herself by the fireplace. ‘I’m more troubled for your sake than for the shame of it, and I grudge those people who wish us ill

He heard stones fall, and lumps of ice detach themselves, but he was not afraid, for these things fell where they were destined to fall, and were guided by a Hand that had the power to steer them.

‘I can’t understand that man,’ said Ketil’s wife, ‘how he can be so cheerful all the time, a man who’s got a house full of unpaid bills, while we’re so worried about a single one.’

I’m a priest, and so I have to put up with anything and everything. But let me tell you this. You give me what is my due, and ask me decently for what you need, and be thankful for what you receive. That is how it should be between Christian folk.’

‘Yes, too true I’ve heard about it, but do you know anything else?’ ‘Oh yes, now they’re saying …’ And the story grew with the telling.

No, of course not, a murderer doesn’t look like that. Shame on the man who spreads such slanders! He ought to be soundly punished for weaving together such a tissue of lies.’

What shame is there if Kálvur does have an urge for a woman? I’m pleased he’s got that much manhood in him.’

The old couple could not bear hearing that Kálvur had slept with Klávus’s daughter, for they were certainly not married. They had heard of such things happening in foreign parts, and maybe in Tórshavn and Tvøroyri, but that such people could be here in their own village they would never have imagined. And now their own son was one of them.