They were standing up on the barn bridge, and the word was addressed to a girl who stood in the frame shed opposite them, bending over a sledge. The boys shouted out yet another word, and still another and another, without cessation. Between each word came peals of merriment. It was clear that they were being prompted by some one inside of the barn door. The girl made no reply; but once in a while she looked up from her work and glanced over her shoulder--not at the boys but at some one behind the barn where the carriage-shed was situated. Then I heard the sound of bells from that direction. Atlung came forth, dressed for his trip and leading his horse. Great was the alarm of the boys when they saw their father! For they suddenly realized, though perhaps not distinctly, what they had been shouting,--at least they felt they had been making mischief for some one. "Wait until I get home, boys," the father shrieked, "and you shall surely both have a whipping." He took his seat in his sledge and applied the lash to his horse. As he drove past me, he looked at me and shook his head. The boys stood for a moment as though turned into stone. Then the elder one took to his heels with all his strength. The younger followed, crying, "Wait for me! Say, Anton, do not run away from me!" He burst into tears. They disappeared behind the carriage-shed; but for a long time I heard the sobbing of the younger one. CHAPTER V. I felt quite out of spirits, and determined to leave at once; but as I entered the sitting-room my hostess was seated on the large gothic settee or sofa, near the dining-room door, and no sooner did she perceive me than she leaned forward across the table in front of her and asked,-- "What do _you_ think of Spencer's theory of education? Do you believe we can put it into practice?" I did not wish to be drawn into an argument, and so merely answered,-- "Your husband's practice, at all events, does not accord with Spencer's teachings." "My husband's practice? Why, he has none." Here she smiled. "You mean he takes no interest in the children?" "Oh, he is like most other men, I suppose," she replied; "they amuse themselves with their children, now and then, and whip them occasionally, too, when anything occurs to annoy them." "You believe that husband and wife should have equal responsibilities in such matters?" "Yes, to be sure I do. But even in this respect men have made what division they chose." I expressed a desire to take my leave. She appeared much astonished, and asked if I would not first drink coffee; "but, it is true," she added, "you have no one to talk with." She is not the first married woman, I thought, who makes covert attacks on her husband. "Fru Atlung!" I said, "you have no reason to speak so to me." "No, I have not. You must excuse me." It was growing dusk; but unless I was greatly in error, she was almost ready to weep.