I believe the correct answer is: He adopts the life of a pirate, becoming rich by stealing from others.
In this excerpt from “The Story of Frithiof the Bold” written by William Morris, the life in exile make Frithiof, a great hero, adopt to the life of a pirate, becoming rich by stealing from others, after the incident in the temple of Balder:
“So Frithiof became an exile, and the wanderer on the face of earth. For many years he lived the life of a pirate or Viking, exacting tribute from other ships or sacking them if they would not pay the tribute.”
Choleric should be the answer
The pun is related to the same pronunciation of the words <em>Ernest</em> and <em>earnest </em>which means<em> serious commited, dedicated </em>and etc. The pun is connected to the serious issue of choosing the right significant other, someone you can trust that is dedicated to you (<em>an earnest husband/wife</em>).<em> </em>
