"Here is your cap and staff; now I am going to drive you away."

"You are going to drive me away, ha--ha--ha! But you are coming with
me; are you not? You are coming with me? All the rest of you come
along, too; we must sit together this evening as long as the coals are
alive. Come along!"

They promised that they would come. Oyvind helped Ole into the
conveyance, and they drove off to Nordistuen. The large dog was not
the only one up there who was surprised when Ole Nordistuen came
driving into the gard with Oyvind Pladsen. While Oyvind was helping
Ole out of the conveyance, and servants and laborers were gaping at
them, Marit came out in the passage to see what the dog kept barking
at; but paused, as if suddenly bewitched, turned fiery red, and ran in.
Old Ole, meanwhile, shouted so tremendously for her when he got into
the house that she had to come forward again.

"Go and make yourself trim, girl; here is the one who is to have the
gard!"

"Is that true?" she cries, involuntarily, and so loud that the words
rang through the room.

"Yes; it is true!" replies Oyvind, clapping his hands.

At this she swings round on her toe, flings away what she has in her
hand, and runs out; but Oyvind follows her.

Soon came the school-master, and Thore and his wife. The old man had
ordered candles put on the table, which he had had spread with a white