not very clear to him at the
moment whether such a grandchild was better safe or missing. The old
man made no such question, but hastened back to the house with many
expressions of thanksgiving.

As the search-party crowded in among the women, and pushed all before
them into the large warm room, M. Kollsen was seen standing on the
stair-head, wrapped in the bear-skin coverlid.

"Is the boy there?" he inquired.

Oddo showed himself.

"How much have you seen of Nipen, hey?"

"Nobody ever had a better sight of it, sir. It was as plain as I see
you now, and no further off."

"Nonsense,--it is a lie," said M. Kollsen.

"Do not believe a word he says," advised the pastor, speaking to the
listeners. "There is the folly of giving such an opportunity to a child
of making himself important. If he had had his share of the cake, with
the rest of us at table, he would have taken it quietly, and been
thankful. As it is, it will be harder work than ever to drive out these
wicked superstitions. Go, get along!" he cried to Oddo; "I do not want
to hear a word you have got to say."

Oddo bowed, and proceeded to the great room, where he took up his
clarionet, as if it was a matter of course that the dancing was to begin
again immediately. He blew upon his fingers, however, observing that
they were too stiff with cold to do their duty well. And when he turned
towards the fire, everyone made way for him, in a very different manner
from what they would have dreamed of three hours before. Oddo had his
curiosity gratified as to how they would regard one who was believed to
have seen something supernatural.

Erlingsen saw that something must be done on the spot, to clear up the
affair. If his guests went home without having heard the mysteries of
the night explained, the whole country would presently be filled with
wild and superstitious stories. He requested Peder to examine the boy,
as Oddo stood more in awe of his grandfather than of anyone else; and
also because Peder was known to be so firm a believer in Nipen, that his
judgment would be more readily received than that of an unbeliever.
When seriously questioned, Oddo had no wish to say anything but the
truth; and he admitted the whole,--that he had eaten the entire cake,
drunk all the ale, seen a fox and an owl, and heard the echoes in answer
to himself. As he finished his story, Hund, who was perhaps the most
eager listener of all, leaped thrice upon the floor, sn