Lensmand Heyerdahl drew up his report in elegant phrasing. Geissler had written: "The man will also have to pay land tax every year; he cannot afford to pay more for the place than fifty _Daler_, in annual instalments over ten years. The State can accept his offer, or take away his land and the fruits of his work." Heyerdahl wrote: "He now humbly begs to submit this application to the Department: that he be allowed to retain this land, upon which, albeit without right of possession, he has up to this present effected considerable improvements, for a purchase price of 50--fifty--_Speciedaler_, the amount to be paid in annual instalments as may seem fit to the Department to apportion the same." Lensmand Heyerdahl promised Isak to do his best. "I hope to succeed in procuring you possession of the estate," he said. Chapter VI The big bull is to be sent away. It has grown to an enormous beast, and costs too much to feed; Isak is taking it down to the village, to bring up a suitable yearling in exchange. It was Inger's idea. And Inger had no doubt her own reasons for getting Isak out of the place on that particular day. "If you are going at all, you'd better go today," she said. "The bull's in fine condition; 'twill fetch a good price at this time of year. You take him down to the village, and they'll send him to be sold in town--townsfolk pay anything for their meat." "Ay," says Isak. "If only the beast doesn't make trouble on the way down." Isak made no answer. "But he's been out and about now this last week, and getting used to things." Isak was silent. He took a big knife, hung it in a sheath at his waist, and led out the bull. A mighty beast it was, glossy-coated and terrible to look at, swaying at the buttocks as it walked. A trifle short in the leg; when it ran, it crushed down the undergrowth with its chest; it was like a railway engine. Its neck was huge almost to deformity; there was the strength of an elephant in that neck. "If only he doesn't get mad with you," said Inger. Isak thought for a moment. "Why, if as he takes it that way, I'll just have to slaughter him half-way and carry down the meat." Inger sat down on the door-slab. She was in pain; her face was aflame. She had kept her feet till Isak was gone; now he and the bull were out of sight, and she could give way to a groan without fear. Little Eleseus can talk a little already; he asks: "Mama hurt? "--"Yes, hurt." He mimics her, pressing his hands to his sides and groaning. Little Sivert is asleep.