they quietly took their places, after which the school-master stood in
front of them and made a short prayer. Then they sang; the
school-master started the tune, in a deep bass; all the children,
folding their hands, joined in. Oyvind stood at the foot, near the
door, with Marit, looking on; they also clasped their hands, but they
could not sing.

This was the first day at school.




CHAPTER III.


Oyvind grew and became a clever boy; he was among the first scholars at
school, and at home he was faithful in all his tasks. This was because
at home he loved his mother and at school the school-master; he saw but
little of his father, who was always either off fishing or was
attending to the mill, where half the parish had their grinding done.

What had the most influence on his mind in these days was the
school-master's history, which his mother related to him one evening as
they sat by the hearth. It sank into his books, it thrust itself
beneath every word the school-master spoke, it lurked in the
school-room when all was still. It caused him to be obedient and
reverent, and to have an easier apprehension as it were of everything
that was taught him.

The history ran thus:--