A few years have passed since the last scene. It is in the Autumn; the
schoolmaster is coming towards Heidegaard; he opens the outside door,
finds nobody at home, goes further in, still nobody there, till he
comes to the innermost room;--there sits Ole Nordistuen in front of his
bed, gazing at his hands.
The schoolmaster salutes him, and is welcomed; takes a stool, and seats
himself in front of Ole.
"You have sent for me."
"Yes, I have."
The schoolmaster looks round, takes a book that is lying on the sofa
and opens it.
"What was it you wanted with me?"
"I am just thinking it over."
The schoolmaster takes his time, brings out his spectacles to read the
title of the book, dries them, and puts them on.
"You are getting old now, Ole."
"Yes, it was just about that I wanted to see you; things go wrong, and
I shall soon be gone."
"Then you should see that you are ready to go, Ole;" he shuts the book,
and sits looking at the binding.
"It's a good book you have in your hand, there."
"Yes, that's true;--have you often got beyond the fly leaf, Ole?"
"Lately, yes--"
The schoolmaster lays the book aside, and puts his spectacles by.
"Things are not just as you would wish them now, Ole."
"Nor have they been as far back as I can remember."
"Well it was the same with me for a long time. I was not on good terms
with a friend of mine, I wanted him to come to me, and I was miserable;
at last I bethought me I would go to him, and since then I have been
happy."
Ole looks up, but is silent.