"Let us talk together here," said the schoolmaster, and sat down by his side. * * * Down at the little farm, Ovind had just returned from a long journey, the chaise was still at the door, while the horses were resting. Although Ovind had now a good salary as District Agriculturist, he still kept his little room, down at Pladsen, and assisted them in his spare time. Pladsen was now under good cultivation from one end to the other, but it was so small that Ovind called it "Mother's doll's play;" for it was chiefly she who managed the farm. He had just dressed after his journey, and so had the father who had come home white from the mill, and they were speaking of going out a little before supper, when the mother came in looking quite pale: "Do look out, pray see the strangers coming to the house!" They both went to the window, and Ovind was the first to exclaim,-- "It is the schoolmaster, and,----yes, I do believe it is,----yes, it is him!" "Yes, it is old Ole Nordistuen," said Thore, as he turned from the window to avoid being seen, for they were close at hand. Ovind got a glance from the schoolmaster, as he retreated from the window; Baard smiled and looked back at old Ole, who was labouring along with his stick, and the small short steps, the one leg always lifted higher than the other. From inside they could hear the schoolmaster saying, "He has only just come home;" and Ole to repeat twice, "Hm-hm." They waited a long time in the passage, the mother had gone to the pantry where the milk stood, Ovind had his old place, his back leaning against the great table, his face to the door, and the father sat by his side. At last there came a knock, and in walked the schoolmaster, and took his hat off, then old Ole, and took his cap off, but back he turned to shut the door, and stood a long time, manifestly at a loss. Thore rose, and bade them be seated; they sat side by side on the window sill. Thore sat down again. Now thus was the matter settled. The schoolmaster: "We have had beautiful weather this Autumn." Thore: "Yes, it has taken up of late." "It will be sure to last so long as the wind remains in the same quarter." "Are you ready with the harvest up there?" "No, indeed, Ole Nordistuen here, as perhaps you know, would like to have your help, Ovind, if there's nothing in the way?" Ovind: "When I am requested, I shall be glad to do what I can." "Yes, but it wasn't only just for the present, he meant. He sees the farm is not doing well, and he thinks it is the right method and oversight that are wanting." Ovind: "I am so little at home." 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."