." (Here Magnhild burst into tears.)

"When you were carried downward by the landslide, with your sled in your
little hand, you were saved in order that you might become a blessing to
many.

"Do not scorn the gratitude of this humble parish: it is a prayer for
you to the Almighty. You know what He has said: 'Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto
me.' May you realize this!"

The priest now turned toward his wife, and in the same solemn tone
said,--

"Have refreshments handed to these men!"

He strode round among the latter with playful remarks, but the whole
house seemed to shake beneath his tread. The more deeply Magnhild seemed
moved the happier the priest was.

Magnhild felt a strong impulse to say something to him; for had she not
found a refuge in his house, none of the results for which she had just
received such unmerited thanks would have been accomplished. But the
priest's impetuosity restrained her.

Refreshments were handed round; then the men once more shook hands with
every one and withdrew, led by the priest, whose voice could be heard
almost all the way to the school-house.

CHAPTER XIII.

In the afternoon the mail from the Point arrived, bringing a letter for
Magnhild. She was alarmed, and handed the letter to Roennaug, who soon
returned it to her, with the information that she need not be afraid to
read it herself.

"You will see by this what your journey has already brought about,"
Roennaug added.

The letter was from tall Louise.

DEAR MAGNHILD,--I was obliged to go up to your house to-day to
ask for the pattern you had promised to explain to us. But I
found only Skarlie at home, and he was not exactly--ah! what
shall I call it? for I have never before seen so unhappy a
person. He said you had gone on a journey.

I heard later that you were traveling with Mrs. Randon, and
thinking it most likely that you are at the parsonage in the
mountains I address you there. For you must not leave us,
Magnhild, or if you do go away, you must come back to us again!

We have all of us plainly seen that you were unhappy; but as you
said nothing, we did not like to say anything either. But can
you not stay with _us_?

How shall we make progress with the new work which has just been
introduced? We cannot understand it without some one to explain
it to us. And there is the singin