up in his throat once more,
but he hastily forced himself to think of things that he loved, one by
one, until it was choked down again.

"Now I had better go," said the school-master, and nodding, turned
away.

Both parents followed him as usual out on the door-step; here the
school-master took a quid of tobacco, and smiling said,--

"He will be number one, after all; but it is not worth while that he
should know anything about it until the day comes."

"No, no," said the father, and nodded.

"No, no," said the mother, and she nodded too; after which she grasped
the school-master's hand and added: "We thank you for all you do for
him."

"Yes, you have our thanks," said the father, and the school-master
moved away.

They long stood there gazing after him.

CHAPTER VII.

The school-master had judged the boy correctly when he asked the priest
to try whether Oyvind could bear to stand number one. During the three
weeks which elapsed before the confirmation, he was with the boy every
day. It is one thing for a young, tender soul to yield to an
impression; what through faith it shall attain is another thing. Many
dark hours fell upon Oyvind before he learned to choose the goal of his
future from something better than ambition and defiance. Often in the
midst of his work he lost his interest and stopped short: what was it
all for, what would he gain by it?--and then presently he would
remember the school-master, his words and his kindness; and this human
medium forced him to rise up again every time he fell from a
comprehension of his higher duty.

In those days while they were preparing at Pladsen for the
confirmation, they were also preparing for Oyvind's departure for the
agricultural school, for this was to take place the following day.
Tailor and shoemaker were sitting in the family-room; the mother was
baking in the kitchen, the father working at a chest. There was a
great deal said about what Oyvind would cost his parents in the next
two years; about his not being able to come home the first Christmas,
perhaps not the second either, and how hard it would be to be parted so
long. They spoke also of the love Oyvind should bear his parents who
were willing to sacrifice themselves for their child's sake. Oyvind
sat like one who had tried sailing out into the world on his own
responsibility, but had been wrecked and was now picked up by kind
people.

Such is the feeling that humility gives, an