it was a
real pleasure to the older people to hear her at the meetings. It
was, however, but seldom that she spoke, and she had not much that
was original to say; but she knew so many hymns, texts, and passages
of good books by heart, and, above all, she was so familiar with the
Scriptures, that among all the Brethren her equal was hardly to be
found.

On the table, in Madam Torvestad's sitting-room, there was a fixed
desk, and upon it an open Bible; this was Sarah's place, and by her
side Madame Torvestad had this day placed a comfortable chair for
Skipper Worse.

Several women had arrived, who seated themselves round the room, laid
their hands on their laps, and sighed. Near the stove a couple of
young girls packed themselves by the side of Henrietta, on a bench
that was too short for them; and a small boy, with a sallow face,
whose parents dragged him from meeting to meeting, seated himself on
the extreme end of a bench by the door.

By-and-by the men began to arrive in succession. There were the
brothers Endre and Nicolai Egeland, who had the largest store in the
town; Sivert Jespersen, who in a few years had made a fortune out of
herrings; and four or five of the most eminent followers of Hauge,
either artisans or shopmen.

Madame Torvestad shook hands with them all, and found seats for them,
not a very easy task after a while, although the room was spacious
and the chairs abundant.

Hans Fennefos entered, saluted Sarah, and at the same time inquired
for whom the armchair was placed by her side.

"Skipper Worse is coming this evening," said Sarah, without looking
up.

Hans Nilsen was surprised, and a little disquieted, although he
hardly knew why. Madame Torvestad, who received him graciously, did
not take her usual seat, but moved about in a restless manner, until
at last Jacob Worse arrived.

As he opened the door, an involuntary desire to escape seized him. He
had come from his own airy room, bright with the twilight afterglow.
Here it was dark and stuffy. Two tallow candles in brass candlesticks
threw some light on the table and the reading-desk, but out in the
room nothing was visible, save a row of faces along the wall.

Escape, however, was out of the question; for Madame Torvestad, with
a friendly gesture, took him by the hand and led him in. Moreover,
every one knew him, and all the men came forward to shake his hand,
and to welcome him home again.

His presence at the meeting gave general s