, "If only Uli wouldn't insist on bossing and starting new
customs; I don't like that. Folks have manured on Sunday time out of
mind, and were satisfied with it; it would have been good enough for him
too."

CHAPTER XIV

THE FIRST SUNDAY IN THE NEW PLACE

[Uli insists on going to church, but can get no one to accompany him,
and all but Freneli ridicule him. The people at church recognize in Uli
the new overseer, and wonder how long he will stay; but to his face they
tell him to make what profit he can out of Joggeli. He comes home to new
ridicule but, facing it down, retires to his cold room to read his
Bible. A message is brought from the others to come and join them. They
tell him that each new overseer is expected to treat the others to
brandy or wine, and all plan to go to the tavern after supper. Freneli
is surprised that he is going with them, and cautions him to be on his
guard. At the tavern all begin to flatter him at once, but Uli is
mindful of what he heard at church and of Freneli's caution. One by one
the others all leave, except one man; he offers to take Uli a-courting.
Uli half yields, and is led into a dark alley where the others set upon
him. He seizes a cudgel from one of them, lays about him with a will,
flings one of them into a court, and vanishes, leaving the discomfited
assailants to nurse their wounds and trail along home, after vainly
waiting for him to appear.]

CHAPTER XV

ULI GAINS A PLACE IN HOUSE AND FIELD, AND EVEN IN SOME HEARTS

[Uli requests the mistress to be allowed to sit in the house on Sunday
afternoons. Freneli, Joggeli, and especially Elsie are put out, the
latter because she is wont to spread out her finery on the table and Uli
is in her way. But Uli wins her over by admiring the finery, and Elsie
begins to set her cap for him. Uli cleans up about the house, and
effects many an improvement in yard and field. This vexes Joggeli, and
still more so when Uli forces him to plan the spring work. Joggeli makes
Uli's life a burden, blows hot and cold, refuses to give orders to the
servants, and censures Uli to the others for taking the reins in his
hands.]

CHAPTER XVI

ULI GETS NEW COWS AND NEW SERVANTS

[Uli is sent to market to sell two cows and bring back two others. On
the way a man catches up with him and buys his cows at a higher price
than Uli expected to get. At the market he makes two excellent
purchases, and comes away with more money than