I took down the picture from the wall, blew the dust from it, and rolled it up carefully; the wall showed lighter in a square patch where it had been. Then I took my leave. The woman followed me out: wouldn't I wait now, till Olga came back, so she could thank me? Oh, now if I only would! I couldn't. Hadn't time. Tell her from me, if there was anything she couldn't make out, to look in the directions.... The woman stood looking after me as I went. I swaggered down the road, whistling with satisfaction at what I had done. Only the sack to carry now; I was rested, the sun was shining, and the road had dried up a little. I fell to singing with satisfaction at what I had done. Neurasthenia.... I reached Hersæt the following day. At first I felt like passing by, it looked so big and fine a place; but after I had talked a bit with one of the farm-hands, I decided to try the Lensmand after all. I had worked for rich people before--let me see, there was Captain Falkenberg of Øvrebø.... The Lensmand was a little, broad-shouldered man, with a long white beard and dark eyebrows. He talked gruffly, but had kindly eyes; afterwards, I found he was a merry soul, who could laugh and jest heartily enough at times. Now and again, too, he would show a touch of pride in his position, and his wealth, and like to have it recognized. “No, I've no work for you. Where do you come from?” I named some places I had lately passed. “No money, I suppose, and go about begging?” No, I did not beg; I had money enough. “Well, you'll have to go on farther. I've nothing for you to do here; the ploughing's done. Can you cut staves for a fence? “Yes.” “H'm. Well, I don't use wooden fences any more. I've put up wire. Do bricklayer's work?” “Yes.” “That's a pity. I've had bricklayers at work here for weeks; you might have got a job. But it's all done now.” He stood poking his stick in the ground. “What made you come to me?” “Every one said go to the Lensmand if I wanted work.” “Oh, did they? Well, I've always got a crowd here working at something or other--those bricklayers, now. Can you put up a fence that's proof against fowls?--For that's more than any soul on earth ever could, haha!-- “Worked for Captain Falkenberg, you said, at Øvrebø?” “Yes.” “What were you doing there?” “Felling timber.” “I don't know him--he lives a long way off. But I've heard of him. Any papers from him?” I showed him what the Captain had written. “Come along with me,” said the Lensmand abruptly. He led me round the house and into the kitchen. “Give this man a thorough good meal--he's come a long way, and....” I sat down in the big, well-lighted kitchen to the best meal I had had for a long time. I had just finished when the Lensmand came out again. “Look here, you....” he began. I got up at once and stood straight as an arrow--a piece of politeness which I fancy was not lost on him.