But if she’s away cos she needs some space, [ because Astrid does remember how he’d phrased it, the first time he ever mentioned his wife to her, ] why don’t y’get divorced like normal people and then just get hitched again if you wind up together again?

[ Lowlanders are weird. ]

Back home you set a number of years on the marriage. And then if it’s still working at the end of that and you’d like to continue, you tie the knot again if you like; or let it dissolve. No use having the oath if you’re not gonna stick to it.