The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1995, Blaðsíða 36

146
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
SPRING/SUMMER 1995
that he has gone home to Iceland because
he was very homesick at times.”
“No, he was not in Iceland last fall, I am
sure of that.”
“Perhaps he is dead,” said my cousin.
“He was very sickly when I knew him.”
“Yes, it could well be that he is dead, but
I hope not. I hope he is still alive and in
good health and that I will find him. But
did you not know this young man whom I
am asking about?” And Mr. Island looked
towards me.
“Yes, I did know him slightly,” I said, full
of curiosity. “He was my roommate for some
months and I got along well with him. Are
you perhaps his mother’s brother?”
“No, I am not related to him, as far as I
know. His uncle? Why do you ask if I am
his uncle?” Mr. Island looked sharply at me.
“It was just a thoughtless question,” I
said. “He is young and you are getting old,
Mr. Island.”
“You could just as easily have asked if I
were his father.”
“He told me his father was dead.”
“Did he tell you he had an uncle?”
“He mentioned his mother’s brother.”
“What name did he give his uncle?”
“Halfdan Arnorsson Berg.” I was find-
ing that Mr. Island was getting the upper
hand in our encounter.
“I never heard Arnor mention that man
by name,” said my cousin.
“I believe,” said Mr. Island, “he has told
your cousin Erlingur many things you have
never heard.”
I was surprised that he knew I was
Solrun’s cousin because neither of us had
mentioned that.
“You must have received letters — many
of them — from your friend, Arnor Berg,
since he left here?” said Mr. Island, staring
fixedly at me.
“No, I have never in my life received one
single line from him.”
“But you know where he went?”
“Yes, I know he went to the United
States.”
“Where in the States?”
“He is living in St. Paul or Minneapolis,”
I said, realizing I was telling more than I
wanted to tell.
“Be so good as to give me his address in
St. Paul.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t do that. I don’t
know what house he lives in.”
“How do you know he lives in St. Paul?”
“A friend told me.”
“And where is this friend?”
“Here in Winnipeg.”
“And his name?”
“O’Brian.” I said it against my will.
“He is not an Icelander?”
“He is Irish.”
“Where can I find him?”
“Do you really have to find him?”
“I must find someone who knows for
certain where Arnor Berg lives. If you know
where such a man can be found, please let
me know and don’t beat around the bush.”
“I can go with you to Mr. O’Brian who is
Arnor’s friend and benefactor and knows
Pjodraeknisfelag Islendinga \ Vesturheimi
PRESIDENT: HELGI AUSTMAIN
Support Icelandic Culture and Heritage
by joining your local chapter, or contact:
THE ICELANDIC NATIONAL LEAGUE
699 Carter Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 2C3
Telephone: 284-3402