"The gard has prospered finely of late years, and it can be made as much larger as we ourselves wish. It feeds twelve milch cows now, and could feed more; but Arne reads a great many books, and manages according to them, and so he must have his cows fed in a first-rate way." Eli made no reply to all this, as was quite natural; but Margit asked her how old she was. She was nineteen. "Have you taken any part in the house-work? You look so dainty, I suppose it has not been much." Oh, yes, she had helped in various ways, especially of late. "Well, it is a good thing to become accustomed to a little of everything; if one should get a large house of one's own, there might be many things to be done. But, to be sure, when one finds good help already in the house, it does not matter so very much." Eli now thought she ought to turn back, for they had gone far beyond the parsonage lands. "It will be some time yet before the sun sets; it would be kind if you would chat with me a little longer." And Eli went on. Then Margit began to talk about Arne. "I do not know if you are very well acquainted with him. He can teach you something about everything. Bless me! how much that boy has read!" Eli confessed that she was aware he had read a great deal. "Oh, yes; that is really the least that can be said of him. Why, his conduct to his mother all his days is something far beyond that. If the old saying is true, that one who is good to his mother is sure to be good to his wife, the girl Arne chooses will not have very much to grumble about. What is it you are looking for, child?" "I only lost a little twig I had in my hand." They were both silent after this, and walked on without looking at each other. "He has such strange ways," began the mother, presently; "he was so often frightened when he was a child that he got into the habit of thinking everything over to himself, and such folks never know how to put themselves forward." Now Eli insisted on turning back, but Margit assured her that it was only a short distance now to Kampen, and see Kampen she must, as she was so near. But Eli thought it was too late that day. "There is always some one who can go home with you," said Margit. "No, no," promptly replied Eli, and was about to leave. "To be sure, Arne is not at home," said Margit; "so it will not be he; but there will be sure to be some one else." Now Eli had less objection to going; besides, she wanted very much to see Kampen. "If only it does not grow too late," said she. "Well, if we stand here much longer talking about it, I suppose it may grow too late," and they went on. "You have read a great deal, I dare say; you who were brought up at the priest's?" Yes, Eli had read a good deal. "That will be useful," Margit suggested, "when you are married to one who knows less than you." Eli thought she would never be married to such a person. "Ah, well, it would perhaps not be best either; but in this parish there is so little learning."