The schoolmaster looks at Ole, who feels that it is his turn to speak
now, he moves uneasily a few times, and then begins quickly and
abruptly: "It was, it is,--yes,--I thought you might stay,--that is,
you might live with us up there, be there, when you were not away on
your journeys."
"I thank you very much for the offer, but I should prefer to stay where
I am."
Ole looks at the schoolmaster, who explains:
"Things seem in a muddle for Ole to-day; you see he was here once
before, and the recollection of it makes it rather awkward."
Ole, quickly: "Yes, that's it, I went on like a fool, I was striving so
long with the girl, that the edge of the axe grew blunt. But byegones
shall be byegones. Rain brooks soon dry up. May snow does not last
long. It is not thunder that kills people."
They all laughed, and the schoolmaster said, "Ole means that you must
forget the past, and you also, Thore."
Ole looks, and does not know whether he dare begin again.
Then Thore says, "A sharp cut mends sooner than a tear, and you will
find no scar upon me."
Ole: "I did not know the lad that time. Now I see that things prosper
under his hand; Autumn answers to Spring; he has money at his finger
ends, and I should like to get hold of him."
Ovind looks at his father, and he at the mother, she from them to the
schoolmaster, and at last all eyes were fixed upon him.
"Ole means that he has a large farm--"
Ole interrupts: "A large farm but ill cultivated;--I cannot do more, I
am old, and my feet refuse to obey my commands, but it would repay
anyone to have a pull up there."
"The largest farm in the district, and no mistake!" says the
schoolmaster.
"The largest farm in the district; that is just the misfortune, for
great shoes won't keep on; it is all right to have a good gun, but you
must be able to lift it." (With a quick glance at Ovind,) "You could
perhaps give me a lift could you?"
"To manage the farm?"
"Just so; you should have the farm."
"Should I GET the farm?"
"Just so; and so you would have the charge of it."
"But?--"
"Will you not?"
"Yes, of course."
"Yes yes, yes yes, then it is settled, said the hen, when she flew on
to the water."
"But?----"
Ole looks inquiringly at the schoolmaster.
"Ovind wants to know if he is to have Marit?"