A few days afterward he gave Rendalen an amusing description of his visit. Rendalen laughed; he had not often been there himself; but had heard much about Sören Kule. He declared the fellow might go to the devil for him, he would rather not talk about him at all; he sat down to the piano and began to play. A few days later, who should Kallem meet in the entrance but his brother-in-law in spe, Mr. Ole Tuft, now candidate in theology, come to town to pass his so-called practical examination. Grand meeting and recognition! The one had no idea of the change of lodgings that had taken place, nor the other that Ole Tuft had come to town. Kallem begged him to go in with him, and heard then that Tuft was there for the first time; the landlord's aunt had moved in yesterday, and it was her Ole had been visiting. Edward Kallem understood at once what community she belonged to, and he changed the subject. He asked further whether he knew Sören Kule? No, only through hearing of him from his aunt; all the family were from the Norland. Then who was Sören Kule? He was a well-to-do fish-dealer who became blind and partially paralysed; was obliged to sell his business and had bought this house in Christiania to make a living by it and by other things as well. They had several relations in town, and had only been there since October. Did Ole Tuft know what had caused his paralysis and blindness? No. Kallem told him there could hardly be a doubt on the matter. Ole Tuft was quite shocked. "How could he dare marry then? And twice." "Has he been married twice?" "Yes, he married a second time about six months or a year ago--his late wife's sister." "Then the children are by the first wife?" "Yes. But the present wife is hardly more than a child herself; just fancy, she is eighteen and has been married nearly a year!" "Was he like this when he married again?" "No, I think not. He was in ill-health but not so bad as now. There are not many who can understand how it came about?" "Have you seen her?" "No, but my aunt says she is a delicate little creature, and very musical. She has played in public." "Indeed, up in the north?" "They are said to be so very critical up there." Then he began again on the subject of the marriage. "The parents probably arranged it for the children's sake." Kallem very nearly answered, "Then, of course, they are clergy folk;" but he recollected in time. He only said: "One can't accuse her of being too particular."