and turned her head. It was the school-
master, who was coming slowly down the hill, supporting himself on a
staff, for his hip troubled him. His intelligent eyes looked calm. He
paused to rest, and nodded to her:--

"Not come yet?"

"No; I expect them every moment."

"Fine weather for haymaking, to-day."

"But warm for old folks to be walking."

The school-master looked at her, smiling,--

"Have any young folks been out to-day?"

"Yes; but are gone again."

"Yes, yes, to be sure; there will most likely be a meeting somewhere
this evening."

"I presume there will be. Thore says they shall not meet in his house
until they have the old man's consent."

"Right, quite right."

Presently the mother cried,--

"There! I think they are coming."

The school-master looked long in the distance.

"Yes, indeed! it is they."

The mother left the window, and he went into the house. After he had
rested a little and taken something to drink, they proceeded down to
the shore, while the boat darted toward them, making rapid headway, for
both father and son were rowing. The oarsmen had thrown off their
jackets, the waters whitened beneath their strokes; and so the boat
soon drew near those who were waiting. Oyvind turned his head and
looked up; he saw the two at the landing-place, and resting his oars,
he shouted,--

"Good-day, mother! Good-day, school-master!"

"What a manly voice he has," said the mother, her face sparkling. "O
dear, O dear! he is as fair as ever," she added.

The school-master drew in the boat. The father laid down his oars,
Oyvind sprang past him and out of the boat, shook hands first with his
mother, then with the school-master. He laughed and laughed again;
and, quite contrary to the custom of peasants, immediately began to
pour out a flood of words about the examination, the journey, the
superintendent's certificate, and good offers; he inquired about the
crops and his acquaintances, all save one. The father had paused to
carry things up from the boat, but, wanting to hear, too, thought they
might remain there for the present, and joined the others. And so they
walked up toward the house, Oyvind laughing and talking, the mother
laughing, too, for she was utterly at a loss to know what to say. The
school-master moved slowly along at Oyvind's side, watching his old
pupil closely; the father walked at a respectful distance. And thus
they reached home. Oyvind was delighted with