"Will I not? Listen now, Marit, just for sport, you see, just for
sport. I am going to tell you that I will crush the backbone of that
worthless fellow of yours."

"No; you would not dare do so."

"I would not dare? Do you say I would not dare? Who should interfere?
Who?"

"The school-master."

"School--school--school-master. Does he trouble his head about that
fellow, do you think?"

"Yes; it is he who has kept him at the agricultural school."

"The school-master?"

"The school-master."

"Hearken now, Marit; I will have no more of this nonsense; you shall
leave the parish. You only cause me sorrow and trouble; that was the
way with your mother, too, only sorrow and trouble. I am an old man.
I want to see you well provided for. I will not live in people's talk
as a fool just for this matter. I only wish your own good; you should
understand this, Marit. Soon I will be gone, and then you will be left
alone. What would have become of your mother if it had not been for
me? Listen, Marit; be sensible, pay heed to what I have to say. I
only desire your own good."